The Show People Podcast returns as a live event with Sir. Stephen Fry
After a four-year hiatus, The Show People Podcast will make its long-awaited return on Thursday 12th June 2025, reimagined as a monthly live event and launching with a very special guest: Sir Stephen Fry. Hosted by award-winning theatre director and Queer Theatre Artistic Director Andrew Keates, The Show People Podcast offers the live audience a rare opportunity to hear candid stories, industry insights, and reflections on the lessons learned from a life in the performing arts.
This new chapter follows a necessary pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, during which Keates privately faced and publicly shared his experience of sexual assault and his journey through addiction recovery. These formative and painful experiences directly led to the founding of Queer Theatre, a company dedicated to telling LGBTQIA+ stories and nurturing Queer talent. Now, produced under its banner, the return of The Show People Podcast is a testament to survival, resilience, and the enduring power of storytelling.
To mark the occasion, Keates will be joined by one of the UK’s most revered cultural figures and a patron of Queer Theatre, Sir Stephen Fry. An acclaimed actor, author, broadcaster and activist, Fry’s career has spanned over four decades. From Blackadder, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, and Jeeves and Wooster to celebrated performances on stage in Twelfth Night, Mythos, and Cell Mates. His revised book for Me and My Girl earned Olivier Awards and a Broadway transfer. Earlier this year, he was knighted for services for charity, mental health awareness, and the environment.
This one-night-only event will take place at The Two Brewers in Clapham, a historic and iconic LGBTQIA+ venue and now the official home of The Show People Podcast. The evening will include an interval and complimentary access to the venue’s cabaret and DJ event after the recording. All profits from the night will support Queer Theatre’s work across its wide-ranging programme, including 2B: Acting Classes, OutCast showcases, the Queer Play Reading Club, theatre trips, parties, and new productions.
Artistic Director, Andrew Keates comments,
“I’ve always cherished the anecdotes and stories passed down by great performers—and no one shares them more brilliantly than my friend and Queer Theatre patron, Sir Stephen Fry. That’s why I’m so thrilled that The Show People Podcast is returning, with a whole host of exciting guests ready to share their lives and lessons learnt working in show business. I hope we will once again inspire theatre-lovers all over the world and the funds raised will help us tell more LGBTQIA+ stories and support the next generation of Queer theatre-makers”.
Set to take place on the second Thursday of every month at the Two Brewers, The Show People Podcast with Andrew Keates will invite a new special guest for each session, making every live show unique and insightful. Each month, the podcast will shine a spotlight on the UK performing arts industry and those dedicated to their craft.
The Show People Podcast is produced by Queer Theatre and generously sponsored by Theataccounts, Jake Waby Productions and The Two Brewers.