A new monthly chat show is coming to Stoke-on-Trent that’s been billed as ‘a cross between Parkinson and Alan Carr’.
But instead of being broadcast on TV, ‘An Audience With…’ will be performed in front of a 300-strong theatre audience.
Hosted by Signal 1 breakfast presenter John ‘Foxy’ Fox and BBC Radio 5 Live’s Giuliano Casadei, it is set to feature a different special guest each time.
The audience will also get to pose some of the questions, with video clips and other interactive slots to keep them entertained at Hanley’s Potteries Museum and Art Gallery auditorium.
Stoke-on-Trent panto legend Jonathan Wilkes has been lined up as the first celebrity interviewee on March 28.
Future guests will include former soldier and Double Crossed author Brian Wood, who will be talking about his perilous experiences in Iraq.
Also confirmed so far are extreme runner Jordan Wylie, from the TV series Hunted and Celebrity Hunted; actor Scott Kyle whose credits include Outlander; and stage star Alison Fitzjohn, from Take That the musical and Horrible Histories.
Radio presenter Giuliano, who is also a producer on the 5 Live drive show, said: “We think it’s going to be a really exciting project.
“We are also talking about podcasting the events in future. If you’ve got a nice, intimate event, it lends itself well to that. But we want to get the shows right first.”
Foxy added: “People normally have to go to Birmingham or Manchester to see something like this. We’re quite passionate about bringing it here.
“It’s going to be like watching Alan Carr. We’ll have pictures and videos of the celebrities and will be talking to them about their careers.”
Mike Mulroy, who runs production company Culture Salad, came up with the concept after organising an event with Gulf War hero turned writer John Nichol last year.
He is also keen to involve students from local colleges, who will be putting their technical and media skills into practice.
Mike said: “It’s giving them real world experience. The young people will be manning the microphone, doing the lights and things like front of house.”
Ben Pratt, who is studying music and performance at Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College , is the show’s resident composer.
The 17-year-old, from Alsager , said: “I’ve done some jingles for when people walk on and off the stage. I’ve also written a song.
“It’s been pretty good. I’d like to do writing and performing for a career.”
Former Newcastle College student Leon Greensmith is also looking forward to getting involved with the show.
The 18-year-old, from Oakhill, said: “My role is front of house. I haven’t got a career in mind yet, but this will definitely help me. It’s going to be brilliant.”
Tickets for each evening of entertainment cost £10.95. For more information, click here or search for ‘An Audience With’ on Facebook.
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