The Variety Show
By: Adam Sternberg
Language: en
Categories: Arts, Performing, Education, Comedy, Stand-up, How To
The Variety Show is a celebration of the extraordinary people who bring live performance to life. Each week, host Adam Sternberg sits down with a dazzling range of guests – from magicians to contortionists, gospel singers to tap dancers to uncover the real stories behind their craft. How do artists decide to dedicate their lives to performing? What inspires them, challenges them, and keeps them coming back to the stage? Through intimate conversations, Variety gives listeners a behind-the-curtain look at the journeys, passions, and influences that shape today’s performers. Whether you’re a fan of live entertainment, a lover of the ar...
Episodes
Bounder & Cad on woke culture, Putin, and a special gig at 10 Downing St
Jan 08, 2026To stay updated on future episodes, follow us on:
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If you have any comments about the podcast or are a performer who wants advice please do email info@thevarietyshowpodcast.co.uk
Artist bio
Bounder & Cad are a London-based musical comedy duo known for sharp, lyrical satire set to classic crooner, jazz, and operatic styles. Formed at the University of Cambridge, the pair blend close harmony singing with original parody songs that skewer politics, power, culture, and modern absurdities—always punching up. Regular performers at ve...
Duration: 00:28:16Andrew Robley - the pantomime dame with unlimited sass
Dec 18, 2025To stay updated on future episodes, follow us on:
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If you have any comments about the podcast or are a performer who wants advice please do email info@thevarietyshowpodcast.co.uk
Artist bio
Andrew Robley is a British musical-theatre performer and singer from Carlisle who began his career as a cathedral chorister, later winning a BBC “Search for a Star” competition and going on to play leading-man roles in shows like Grease (Danny Zuko) and classic musicals including Carousel and Oklahoma!. He’s now a regu...
Duration: 00:42:33The Rolling Clones on Rock N' Roll without fame and if the Beatles have better songs
Dec 11, 2025To stay updated on future episodes, follow us on:
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YouTube
If you have any comments about the podcast or are a performer who wants advice please do email info@thevarietyshowpodcast.co.uk
Artist Bio
Aaron Clark (“Keith Ripoff”) and Alex Larke (“Mock Jagger”) are the long-time twin engines of premier Rolling Stones tribute act The Rolling Clones. Growing up in neighboring Hertfordshire towns, both were shaped by early musical influences: Aaron gigging from age 11 with a Stones riff book smuggled into lessons, Alex trading a teenage...
Duration: 00:39:59Joe Stilgoe on campaigning for the future of British jazz
Dec 04, 2025To stay updated on future episodes, follow us on:
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YouTube
If you have any comments about the podcast or are a performer who wants advice please do email info@thevarietyshowpodcast.co.uk
Artist Bio
Joe Stilgoe is an acclaimed British pianist, singer, composer and all-round musical entertainer, known equally for his virtuosic musicianship and his theatrical flair. With five UK jazz chart-topping albums, Joe moves effortlessly between jazz, cabaret, theatre and improvisation, whether performing at Ronnie Scott’s, collaborating with orchestras, or creating bespoke shows th...
Duration: 00:58:35Reverend Bazil Meade on working with Madonna, Luther Vandross and if white people can sing gospel.
Nov 27, 2025Join us on this captivating journey into the fascinating world of live entertainment. Host Adam Sternberg brings you engaging conversations with remarkable entertainers, from magicians and jugglers to aerial artists and contortionists. Discover the unique stories behind their extraordinary careers, the challenges they have faced, and the motivations that drive them. If you are passionate about live entertainment or simply curious about the lives of extraordinary performers, this podcast is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, Adam welcomes Reverend Bazil Meade, founder of the London Community Gospel Choir, widely recognised as a pioneering force...
Duration: 00:52:15Katharine Arnold on choosing art over the 9-5, handling heights and advice for future circus performers.
Nov 20, 2025Join us on this captivating journey into the fascinating world of live entertainment. Host Adam Sternberg brings you engaging conversations with remarkable entertainers, from magicians and jugglers to aerial artists and contortionists. Discover the unique stories behind their extraordinary careers, the challenges they’ve faced, and the motivations that drive them. If you’re passionate about live entertainment or simply curious about the lives of these extraordinary performers, this podcast is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, Adam welcomes circus artist, director and producer Katharine Arnold, an aerialist with two decades of experience who has...
Duration: 00:35:17Charles Burns on royal silhouettes, Covent Garden origins, and the art of performing with scissors
Nov 13, 2025Join us on this captivating journey into the fascinating world of live entertainment. Host Adam Sternberg brings you engaging conversations with remarkable entertainers, from magicians and jugglers to aerial artists and contortionists. Discover the unique stories behind their extraordinary careers, the challenges they've faced, and the motivations that drive them. If you're passionate about live entertainment or simply curious about the lives of these extraordinary performers, this podcast is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, Adam welcomes silhouette artist Charles Burns a performer–artist whose entire show fits into a pocket: paper and scissors. Fr...
Duration: 00:47:53Antony Johns on rehearsing with no mirrors, dancing with Angela Lansbury, and choreographing 2000 horses for The Queen
Nov 06, 2025Join us on this captivating journey into the fascinating world of live entertainment. Host Adam Sternberg brings you engaging conversations with remarkable entertainers, from magicians and jugglers to aerial artists and contortionists. Discover the unique stories behind their extraordinary careers, the challenges they've faced, and the motivations that drive them. If you're passionate about live entertainment or simply curious about the lives of these extraordinary performers, this podcast is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, Adam welcomes dancer, choreographer, and creative polymath Anthony Johns. From childhood tap shoes in Portsmouth to BBC studios, West...
Duration: 00:44:44Miss Ballooniverse on the Aztecs, Balloon College, and Why She Carries a Castration Device with Her at All Times
Oct 30, 2025Join us on this captivating journey into the fascinating world of live entertainment. Host Adam Sternberg brings you engaging conversations with remarkable entertainers, from magicians and jugglers to aerial artists and contortionists. Discover the unique stories behind their extraordinary careers, the challenges they've faced, and the motivations that drive them. If you're passionate about live entertainment or simply curious about the lives of these extraordinary performers, this podcast is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, Adam Sternberg welcomes Natalie Haverstock, internationally acclaimed balloon artist and performer, better known by her stage...
Duration: 00:33:07Pete Heat on the Philosophy of Magic, taking the alternative route, and Training Jude Law
Oct 23, 2025Join us on this captivating journey into the fascinating world of live entertainment. Host Adam Sternberg brings you engaging conversations with remarkable entertainers, from magicians and jugglers to aerial artists and contortionists. Discover the unique stories behind their extraordinary careers, the challenges they've faced, and the motivations that drive them. If you're passionate about live entertainment or simply curious about the lives of these extraordinary performers, this podcast is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, Adam Sternberg welcomes Pete Heat, one of the UK’s most exciting magicians and comedians. Known fo...
Duration: 00:50:50Jolie Papillon: From Ballet to Burlesque and the Art of Captivating Audiences
Oct 16, 2025Welcome to episode 1 of the Variety podcast. I have been lucky enough to have worked with some amazing acts over many years. But for me, what has always been fascinating are the stories they have told me before they went on stage - what led them to be a performer, the difficulties they have faced, the hilarious situations they have faced when the act goes badly wrong. I always thought that a peek behind the curtain was as interesting as what went on the stage - that’s why I’ve worked hard to bring this podcast to you toda...
Duration: 00:43:48The Art of Live Performance with Adam Sternberg (Trailer)
Oct 08, 2025Welcome to Variety
In this podcast, Adam chats with the people who make live entertainment truly extraordinary – magicians, jugglers, aerial artists, contortionists, and more.
How do you even become a contortionist? What happens when a performance goes wrong? And what makes someone keep chasing the stage instead of a safe nine-to-five?
Variety gives you a front-row seat to their stories, struggles, and the magic behind the scenes.
Coming soon – if you love live entertainment and real stories from remarkable performers, this one’s for you.
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Duration: 00:01:15