The Pianist, Matilda's 15th Birthday Gala & The Hound of the Baskervilles

This episode, we're celebrating the extraordinary range of London theatre, with a powerful new musical adaptation of The Pianist at Park Theatre, a very special 15th birthday gala for Matilda The Musical, and a thrillingly theatrical take on Sherlock Holmes's most famous mystery, The Hound of the Baskervilles, at King's Head Theatre.

The Pianist

Based on the remarkable memoir of Polish-Jewish pianist Władysław Szpilman, The Pianist tells the extraordinary true story of a musician struggling to survive the horrors of Nazi-occupied Warsaw during the Second World War.

Adapted and directed by Thom Southerland, with new musical arrangements by Simon Lee and featuring Szpilman's original music, this world-premiere production brings a deeply personal account of survival, humanity and the enduring power of music to the stage.

We discuss how this intimate musical adaptation translates such a powerful story into live theatre, the strength of its ensemble and the challenge of balancing historical tragedy with musical storytelling.

Matilda The Musical – 15th Birthday Gala

Revolting children, extraordinary talent and 15 years of West End magic!

We're celebrating a major milestone for the Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda The Musical, inspired by Roald Dahl's beloved novel, with a book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and direction by Matthew Warchus.

Since its original Stratford-upon-Avon premiere in 2010 and London opening in 2011, Matilda has become one of Britain's most successful musicals, winning seven Olivier Awards and delighting audiences around the world.

We revisit the unforgettable characters, brilliant songs and mischievous spirit that have made Matilda such an enduring favourite, and celebrate the extraordinary young performers who continue to bring this much-loved story to life.

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Elementary, my dear Watson! Although there's nothing particularly conventional about this gloriously irreverent adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes mystery.

Marking 125 years since the story first appeared, Inner Voice Theatre Company brings the detective adventure to life in an energetic comedy adapted by Olivier Award nominees Steven Canny and John Nicholson.

Three actors tackle an astonishing 14 characters between them, using physical comedy, rapid character changes and plenty of theatrical invention to tell the story of a mysterious death, an ancient family curse and a terrifying hound supposedly haunting Dartmoor.

We discuss how this playful production transforms one of literature's most famous detective stories into an evening of inventive, fast-paced comedy, and whether the mystery survives all the theatrical mayhem.

From the haunting music of The Pianist to the joyful celebrations of Matilda and the wonderfully ridiculous world of Sherlock Holmes, this episode takes us through tragedy, triumph and a fair amount of theatrical mischief.

Three productions. Three very different experiences. And another brilliant week of theatre!