In the 'House Seats' (Craig Bartley)

Send us a text

We are back with season five and kicking off is Craig's interview with parents, teachers and performers at Chesham Festival in Bucks, UK which was held on 24–26 February 2022.

A chance for students to compete again and for parents and teachers to get together and share experiences.

Send us a text

Craig is at it again! Adjudicating at this year's Thanet Dance Festival which is based in Birchington in Kent.

Send us a text

This weeks podcast was recorded live at this year's Move It which is the world's biggest dance event where Craig was promoting Starquest Performers College, and takes place at London's Excel.

Craig interviews Move It Event Creative Director, Tia Hassen and Lucy Newton of Cogo Travel.

MOVE IT is the World’s biggest and best dance event, celebrating all forms of dance and the performing arts across three amazing days. No matter what level you are, MOVE IT has something for every dancer, teacher, spectator and professional, at this electric celebration of all things dance and performing arts! www.moveitdance.co.uk

COGO offers a wide range of group breaks, performing arts trips and educational conferences in Disneyland® Paris, as well as tailor-made group tours and city breaks in Europe and beyond. cogotravel.co.uk

Send us a text

After running a dance school for 27 years and a franchise theatre school for 12. Deborah made a break and invested in a business coach, studied marketing, retention, business strategies in relation to the dance world, customer services, finances, planning, social media, team nurturing, leadership, systems, processes, the list goes on. She read over 30 business books, went on business retreats, attended summits, webinars you name it.

Soon she was implementing her newly learned skills and it started to pay off. She experienced wonderful growth in her businesses and turned her schools around. That is where she thought her story would end…

… but I saw friends and fellow dance bosses sharing the same struggles that she had experienced. Knowing she had the answers she found it difficult to sit back and watch them struggle. She started to share at every opportunity. Little bits of valuable information that she had learned. People started commenting “why didn’t I know this already”. Soon after she was approached not once but three times in a week from dance school principals asking to pay for my help. That is when Dance Business Lab was born and 1-1 coaching began.

Hear part of her journey with Craig on this podcast or visit her website at dancebusinesslab.com

Send us a text

This recording was done at Chichester Festival Theatre where Kate is currently playing the role of Patsy and is also understudy for Carly Anderson who plays Polly, the lead female character,  in Crazy For You. This brand new production, which celebrates the work’s 30th anniversary, is directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman.

After growing up in Stoke on Trent, Kate went on to train at Arts Ed, Kate before launching her professional performing career. She played Stephanie in ‘Saturday Night Fever’ for Bill Kenwright, and performed in ‘Follies’ at The National Theatre,  and 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe' on the UK Tour. She was also in the Netflix series 'The Crown'.

Kate is also a qualified fitness instructor.

You can follow her on instagram @kateparr_

Send us a text

Matthew was brought up in the west coast of Scotland and trained at the Dance School of Scotland before starting his professional trading at Arts Ed in London.

He left after one year as he was offered a part in a musical in Germany and from there his career took off.

Matthew's theatre credits include: Singin’ in the Rain, 42nd Street (Chichester Festival); Chicago (Cambridge); The Car Man (London/UK tour); Edward Scissorhands (London/UK/US/Japan/Korea); Jack and the Beanstalk (Barbican); Mary Poppins (Prince Edward); Anything Goes (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); On Your Toes (Royal Festival Hall/Leicester Haymarket); Beauty and the Beast (UK tour); A Night of 1000 Voices (Royal Albert Hall); Tabaluga and Lili (Germany); Jazz Art UK’s Messin’ Round Midnight (Edinburgh Festival); Matilda (Cambridge Theatre) Guys and Dolls (Sheffield Crucible) and he played Skimbleshanks in the Kilworth House production of Cats .

He was also part of the 'Bonnie & Clyde in concert' staring Jeremy Jordan and Frances Mayi McCann which was filmed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane during its performances on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 January 2022.

Send us a text

Since graduating from Guildhall, Graham has worked on a wide range of shows both in the UK and on tour overseas. He recently worked on Jesus Christ Superstar at Regents Park Open Air Theatre in 2021 and has just completed his position as company stage manager for Crazy for You at Chichester Festival Theatre this summer 2022.

Graham is also an accomplished photographer turning his hand at photographing performances and people in the theatre both for publicity purposes and also for fun. His photography website is www.grahammichael.co.uk

Send us a text

When Chichester Festival Theatre opened in 1962, it was Britain’s first modern thrust stage theatre. The brainchild of a local optician, Leslie Evershed-Martin, it was effectively ‘crowdfunded’ by local individuals and businesses: a theatre built by the community for the community, an ethos which still stands today. Between 1962-65, under its first artistic director Laurence Olivier, CFT provided the nucleus for the newly established National Theatre company.

This year, 2022, CFT celebrates its 60th anniversary and over the past six decades, myriad productions originated at Chichester have transferred to the West End or toured nationally and internationally, from musicals to significant new plays and classic revivals. The latest which has just finished was the 5 star reviewed, Crazy For You which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2022 as well. 

Craig talks to three members of the management team about their roles at the theatre and what life is like working for such a prestigious establishment.

For more information about the Theatre visit their website cft.org.uk/about-us/our-story

Send us a text

Luke is a musical director, pianist and conductor based in London and has just completed the summer season at the Chichester Festival Theatre as the assistant musical director for the hugely successful, five star reviewed musical, Crazy For You.

He was assistant musical director of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical UK Tour and previously was music assistant to Alex Lacamoire, Ben Cohn, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul for the premiere production of Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre.

He is a proud alumnus of the esteemed musical direction and coaching course at the Royal Academy of Music and is also a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music.

Luke can be followed on Twitter @lukebholman and on Instagram @luke.bholman

Send us a text

Ria was born and raised in Swansea and was brought up surrounded by the rich heritage of Welsh music. Her mother was an Opera Singer and her father a successful cabaret entertainer, so it was inevitable at an early age that Ria Jones was destined for stardom. 

At 19 she became the youngest actress ever to play the role of Eva Peron in 'Evita', followed shortly by her West End debut in the musical 'Chess' in which she played both Svetlana and Florence. She went on to perform famed roles such as Grizabella in 'CATS', Fantine in 'Les Miserables, The Narrator in 'Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' Liz Imbrie in 'High Society' Reno Sweeney in 'Anything Goes', alongside Marti Pellow in 'The Witches of Eastwick' among many other notable roles and more recently in Victoria Wood's most iconic role as Mrs Overall in 'Acorn Antiques' which she recently reprised when requested by Victoria Wood to appear in the 'Angina Monologues' at The Haymarket Theatre, London.

Ria has performed as a soloist on three Royal Variety Shows and has also sung by royal request at Buckingham Palace. She has performed as a soloist to audiences in many of the worlds' finest venues, including in numerous West End Theatres, The Millennium Centre, The Palladium, The Theatre Royal Drury Lane, The Jubilee Theatre at Raffles Hotel Singapore and regularly at The Royal Albert Hall. Ria was also honoured to be picked to perform alongside Bryn Terfel, Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey for the opening of the Welsh Assembly at Cardiff Bay.

Ria's TV appearances include her own one-off special for BBC Wales entitled 'One Night Only with Ria Jones', Three televised Royal Variety Performances for the BBC, 'Wales in the West End' for HTV, a recently televised drama written by Victoria Wood, 'When Eric Met Ernie' and most recently an episode for the new series of Torchwood.

She has performed frequently with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at The Royal Albert Hall, and has personal accolades from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. She has shared the stage with Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Montserrat Caballe, Philip Schofield, Catherine Zeta-Jones Take That, Lulu, Ronnie Corbett, Angela Rippon, Aled Jones, Brian Adams, Jason Donovan, Elaine Paige, Joe Pasquale, Marti Pellow, Michael Ball....to name but a few.

Ria has also released an album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 'Abbaphonic' and her first solo album 'Have You Met Miss Jones?'

Send us a text

Derek rose to fame as a presenter of the legendary BBC children's show Play School in the 1970s. He was raised in London, the actor and musician and went on to perform in both theatre, film, TV and radio.

His West End credits include: Sing a Rude Song, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Black Mikado, The Travelling Music Show, The Secret Life of Cartoons, Run for your Wife, Dry Rot, Aladdin, Snow White, Babes in the Wood, Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast, Noises Off, Twelth Night, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Exonerated. He recently appeared in The Mousetrap at the St Martin's Theatre, Exit the King at the National Theatre and on tour in Driving Miss Daisy.

Television appearances include: Unforgotten, Midsomer Murders, Small Axe, Casualty, Holby City, Doctors, The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff, Silent Witness and Coronation Street.

Regarding composing work, Derek wrote all the music for Heads and Tales, Bod, Two by Two, Mythical Magical Creatures as well as many TV jingles. He wrote the music and lyrics for a production of The Three Musketeers at the Royal Exchange.

In 2014, he was awarded a gold award for his music in TV from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. His voice can be heard on many cartoon and TV adverts.

At the time of recording this podcast, Derek was appearing in The Third Man at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Send us a text

Pia studied costume design at the Wimbledon College of Art and Design, which is part of the University of the Arts London, where she learnt a wide variety of skills including millinery, wiggery, pattern cutting and much more. She also gained a range of technical skills in machine sewing.

Since graduating she has worked her way up from a costumer at Chessington World of Adventures to working as assistant wardrobe mistress on a wide variety of productions as Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, Feydra, Small Island and Ocean at the End of the Lane at theatres including The National and the Duke of York theatre.

Pia is currently Wardrobe Mistress on the production of The Third Man at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Send us a text

Sam Underwood was born in Woking, Surrey and attended the Winston Churchill School. He trained at the Karen Clarke Theatre Group (now Summerscales Performing Arts). He was taught by vocal coach Phil Wisdom and attended Songtime Theatre Arts.

He moved to the United States in 2006 where he studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

After graduating he went on to appear as Marchbanks in George Bernard Shaw's Candida at the Irish Repertory Theatre, New York. In April 2010, he was asked to play the part of Alan Strang in a production of Equus at the John Drew Theater at Guild Hall of East Hampton, co-starring alongside Alec Baldwin.

In 2013, Sam was cast in the eighth season of television series Dexter in the recurring role of Zach Hamilton, Dexter Morgan's 'protégé'. He subsequently joined the third season of Homeland as Leo Carras.

Beginning in February 2014, Sam took on the dual roles of twins Mark and Luke Gray in the second season of the Fox murder mystery The Following. But after the death of Luke, he was left playing Mark – who had split identities – in its third and final season.

In 2017, Sam went on to join the cast of the hit AMC thriller series Fear the Walking Dead in its third season as Jake Otto, the enigmatic son of the colony leader.

In 2019, he was cast as Adam Carrington in The CW television series Dynasty, a reboot of the 1980s series of the same name.

When this podcast was recorded, he was playing the title role of Holly Martins in the brand new musical production of The Third Man directed by Trevor Nunn at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London.

Send us a text

Jonathan Andrew Hume is a professional British screen and stage performer who is highly skilled in both acting and singing and is well-known for his work on Pride, Amazing Grace and 10,000 BC. On stage, he is famous for playing Simba in The Lion King musical, Kevin J, Ali and various other roles in Come from Away and is currently playing the part of Sargeant Paine in the musical adaptation of The Third Man directed by Trevor Nunn at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London.

His other theatre projects include Jesus Christ Superstar at the Wyllyotts Theatre; Rufus Longbottom and the Space Rabbit in the UK Tour; Alice in Hinterland with the Rose Youth Company at Rose Theatre and Bernstein’s Mass at the Royal Festival Hall.

Jonathan was in the 2018 feature film Mary Poppins Returns.

Among his television works is Down to Earth, EastEnders, Disney’s Favourite Songs, Strictly Come Dancing, Hope & Glory, and Anything’s Possible.

He has performed at the Musical Meets Opera with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (De Deolen, Rotterdam) and he has also worked on various commercials both for the TV and radio abroad and in the UK as well as narrating Anton Marks’ Audible audiobook recording.

Send us a text

Craig was the adjudicator of this year's Bright Star Festival and he took some time out to chat with Lydsey, the organiser, along with some of the participants and teachers to understand what makes this festival different from others and what the dancers perceptions are of festivals.

This is billed as a "supportive, friendly and encouraging" festival that has had wonderful feedback from all who take part, so have a listen.

Send us a text

Send us a text

This episode comes live from the recent UK stage and ballet scholarships organised by the British Association of Teachers of Dancing where Craig was one of the judges. Here you can listen to some interviews with competitors and parents on what this event means to them and their hopes and aspirations for their future in the performing arts profession.

The British Association of Teachers of Dancing was the first professional dance teacher’s association to be established in the year 1892. From this early beginning we have now grown to cover the whole of the UK and have members on five continents. The Association organises refresher courses, festivals, seminars, championships, instructional sessions and annual conferences. Professional and amateur examinations are available in Tap, Jazz, Modern Dance, Stage, Ballet, Acro-Gymnastics, Highland, Scottish National, Dance Exercise, Special Needs, Majorette, Freestyle, Rock ‘N’ Roll, Latin American, Modern Ballroom, Club Latino, Classical, European National and Country Western Line Dancing.

The British Association of Teachers of Dancing is represented on the British Dance Council, The Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, Theatre Dance Council International and is a Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre Validated Awarding Organisation.

Send us a text

An introduction to our up and coming 30 minute chat show podcast about all aspects of the entertainment industry from onstage performing or backstage in theatre, television and film production.

Tune in every Sunday and have a great time with our guests in the 'House Seats'.

Send us a text

In this first episode of in the 'House Seats' Craig Bartley interviews West End lead and choreographer, Alan Burkitt.

Alan has a huge wealth of professional credits to his name from playing Dick McGann in Street Scene (Cologne Opera), Bill Calhoun/Lucentio in Kiss Me Kate (West End, UK Tour) and has just finished playing Bobby Pepper in the UK tour of Curtains.

He was part of the original West End Cast of Top Hat at the Aldwych Theatre (understudy Jerry Travers) and subsequently starring as Jerry in the UK national tour and a season in Japan; Singin' in the Rain (Chichester Festival Theatre).

His TV credits include: The Sound of Musicals (Channel 4), Strictly Come Dancing, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Dancing In The Streets, Children In Need, Blue Peter (BBC), An Audience With Kylie Minogue (ITV).

His choreographic credits include: Strictly Come Dancing (BBC), Fascinating Aida Charm Offensive (UK Tour), The Golden Age of Dance (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane) Assistant Choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance (BBC) Curtains (Arts Educational School) and Maureen Lipman in Concert (Purcell Rooms, Royal Festival Hall).

Listen on iTunes podcast, Spotify or on craigbartley.com

If you have enjoyed this podcast then please subscribe and also leave us a review.

Send us a text

An informative interview about theatre producing, performing arts training and current trends of adjudication.

Jennifer trained in London from the age of five with Tony Morgan, Maude Wells and Letty Littlewood, three inspiring teachers. She competed in many dance festivals in London and the South East and as a teacher entered pupils in local festivals. She has been a Federation and All England Adjudicator for nearly thirty years.
   
She worked for over twenty years in the professional theatre, first as a dancer, then singer, actress, director and latterly as a producer with her husband Musician Phillip Charles, they presented troupes of girls called The Jenny Set.
  
Phillip and Jennifer, as “Charles Haley Productions” presented Pantomimes, Summer Shows, Tours, Plays and Musicals in London and all over the country. Jennifer also worked in Variety with her own act of Song, Dance and Comedy.
  
Jennifer also had her own stage school of twenty years until 2004, teaching all genres of Dance, Singing and Drama and many of her pupils have gone on to work in the professional theatre.
 
Jennifer was awarded the PGCA Dance Adjudication degree in 2000 and is a Life Member of the RAD. Her two sons Noel and Leon are both Musicians and Performers.

Send us a text

Honorary Doctor of Arts and two-time Olivier award winner Stephen Mear has been described by the Telegraph as “the old-style master of the modern chorus line”. Stephen’s prolific career has taken him in all directions from musical theatre on Broadway and the West End to opera at the ENO, Paris and the Met in New York. His varied and sought after talent extends to well known TV programmes such as ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, ‘the Tracey Ullman show’ and ‘the Victoria Wood Show’. He has also choreographed music videos for high profile artists ‘Oasis’ and ‘Goldfrapp’. 

Stephen has had the privilege of working and learning from some of the best in the business and has had the opportunity to choreograph and direct many successful, beautiful and exciting productions not to mention achieving an outstanding collection of awards and nominations.

Send us a text

After her training at Laine Theatre Arts, Pip went onto to have a very successful career in musicals such as Mack and Mabel, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Thoroughly Modern Millie before becoming assistant choreographer for Parade at Donmar Warehouse, Shrek UK and Ireland Tour and Beautiful - The Carole King Musical and is currently associate choreographer for the UK production of Frozen at the Theatre Royal Dury Lane. 

She was also a resident dancer for 6 yrs, Stars in their Eyes for Granada TV, appeared in numerous commercials and has worked with Kenneth Branagh on many of his stage and film productions. 

Send us a text

Born in Whitechapel, raised in Essex, Lisa attended drama and ballet classes from an early age. Going onto train at the Italia Conti Academy before graduating and venturing into the big wide world! She has had a varied career from stage, screen, TV, cruise ships, and an abundance of fascinating 'day jobs!'

Her musical theatre credits include Miranda in The Return to the Forbidden Planet which is the musical adaptation of The Tempest, Grease, Debbie Does Dallas the musical, The Rat Pack, The Rocky Horror Show, Footloose, Fame and as The Green Girl in Shout the musical.

Her acting credits include Carla in a two handed thriller Wasp, Lisa in Wastwater, Lilly White in The Two Faces of Agent Lacy and she also played the part of Tracy Walsh in the BBC Drama White Gold.

After making the decision to move across the Atlantic to Los Angeles, Lisa was cast to perform at the Hollywood fringe festival. From this, other jobs came in and she was offered the role of Maggie Clap in The Mollyhouse. While she was there she became an invited member of the prestigious BAFTA LA Newcomers programme.

Now back in the UK after three years in LA, Lisa talks to Craig about her life, her career and her online dating during lockdown.

Send us a text

Rhys was born in Manchester and played Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre in the West End at the age of 12. He then went on to train at Centre Pointe in Manchester.

In 2017, became the winner of the BBC Young Dancer Competition within the ballet section. That same year he also joined the English National Ballet.

In 2019 he was an Emerging Dancer finalist and also the winner odf the people's choice award.

His favourite roles to date are The Mad Hatter in Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; Oberon in Ashton’s The Dream and Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated.

For more information: https://www.ballet.org.uk/people/rhys-antoni-yeomans/ 

Sorry for the sound quality on this podcast but this was due to the interview being conducted outside on a mobile phone.

Send us a text

After training at Laine Theatre Arts in London, Ashley has gone on to have an amazing career in theatre, TV and film.

He has appeared in numerous musicals in the West End including Fame, Billy Elliot, Wicked, Chicago and High School the Musical. He was dance captain in Monty Python Live (Mostly) at the O2 and principal dancer and vocalist in the original cast of Drunk for the McOnie Company.

Recently moving to the US, he has now notched up An American in Paris, resident choreographer in the original cast of King Kong and associate choreographer for Jesus Christ Superstar all on Broadway and he is now in the process of rehearsals for the original cast of Diana the Musical which will also open on Broadway later in the year.

Send us a text

Ian was born in Blackpool and at the age of twelve was lead singer on the re-recording of the Queen song, Who Wants To Live Forever, for Brian May and EMI records.

After dance training with television choreographer Phil Winston and travelling weekly from the North to London for singing lessons with the renowned Ian Adam, Ian was contracted as a performer in the West End at the age of seventeen. 

Performance credits included Mungojerrie in Cats, Flat Top and cover Rusty in Starlight Express, Napthali in Joseph, and swing in Fame.

He was then asked to create the songs for the soundtrack of the award winning Eclipse Circ Musical back in Blackpool. 

The show was featured on the Royal Variety Performance at the Lyceum Theatre in which Ian played the leading role of the Narrator. 

He then qualified as a singing teacher with the London College of Music and became a member of the British Voice Association, from there he was invited to be head of Musical Theatre at Theatreworks college and stayed for 8 years training students, many of which have had glittering showbiz careers.

He then composed his audition song album, The Good Singer, which was launched at Dress Circle in London, the album featured many of his former pupils and other Professional Artists. 

Being I.D.T.A. dance trained throughout, Ian then started on the road to become a theatre dance Examiner. He was also involved in writing their Musical Theatre and Acting Syllabi, and is the author of the book Sing Sing Sing which encourages dance teachers to get involved in Musical Theatre. He has also just completed 2 years as Chairman of their Theatre Craft faculty, and has served on the Board of Directors for two years also.

Following the challenging experience of Professional choreography for A Chorus Line and the musical version of Peter Pan at the Lowry Theatre Manchester, his knowledge in the field of co-directing and staging had been enhanced.

This lead him to opening his own Theatre School in the Midlands. There he arranged music, and wrote ten original scripts for the productions. 

After handing the school over to a former pupil, he now teaches singing privately from home in Stratford Upon Avon, and continues to write and compose in preparation for an exciting workshop next year. 

Trivia.

Ian loves Victorian history and Georgian buildings, and so volunteered and worked part time for seven years at two National Trust properties, and at the Church where Shakespeare is buried in Stratford Upon Avon.

Ian has not flown for 20yrs, he can’t get his head around it, but he is becoming obsessed with Cruises, mainly setting sail from the UK!

Send us a text

In this podcast Loliya talks to Craig about her initial training as an athlete, teaching science in various London secondary schools and then her passion about the importance of good nutrition and regular exercise to support health which led her to retrain as a nutritional therapist

She also trained to become a personal trainer, remedial and soft tissue massage therapist, pilates teacher and an oxygen advantage breathing instructor. 

With all this knowledge she developed an eating and exercise regime that worked to reset her hormones, manage her weight and enjoy her life more. She is now passionate about supporting women in their 50s, who are fed up with feeling frumpy and want to reclaim their confidence, look and feel great in their clothes again and enjoy their lives more. 

Craig discusses with her how this knowledge can benefit those training to become performers and dancers. For more information then visit her website at https://loliyaharrison.co.uk

Send us a text

Stephan is a Welsh Italian Tenor who trained at The Royal Academy of Music London, graduating with a Masters Degree in Opera, under the tutelage of Ryland Davies. Prior to this, he gained his initial degree in Music from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance

His operatic works to date include The Barber of Seville (Glyndebourne), The Magic Flute (Glyndebourne), La Damnation de Faust (Glyndebourne), Cendrillon (Glyndebourne), La Traviata (Glyndebourne), Der Rosenkavalier (Glyndebourne), Madama Butterfly (Glyndebourne), Saul (Glyndebourne), Vanessa (Glyndebourne), Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Glyndebourne), The Cunning Little Vixen (Glyndebourne), The Rake's Progress (Royal Academy Opera), La Traviata (GO Opera), La Cenerentola and Eugene Onegin (Bury Court Opera).

Stephan has performed with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Glyndebourne and has undertaken master classes with Susan Bullock, Matthew Rose, Sarah Connolly, Dennis O'Neill and Gerald Finley. He has also performed in various venues across the UK and Europe, including the Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Monasterio de SanLorenzo del Escorial, Madrid and The Royal Palace of La Almudaina, Mallorca.

Stephan made his BBC Proms debut in 2016 performing Rossini's Semiramide at the Royal Albert Hall with Opera Rara, conducted by Sir Mark Elder. He also performed in Glyndebourne’s The Magic Flute at the BBC Proms 2019. Stephan is also a member of the extra chorus at English National Opera.

Stephan’s most recent engagements have included Handel’s Saul at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, and also traveling the world as a lead production vocalist on board the luxury cruise line Silversea.

Send us a text

Norma has had a long and amazing career in theatre, film and TV.

In theatre, Norma  played  Emily Whitman in Follies at the National Theatre directed by Dominic Cooke also Liesl at the print room in Babettes Feast directed by Bill Buckhurst , Abuela Claudia in In the Heights directed by Luke Lheppard.

Her West End credits include, Les Miserbles, Nine, Pirates of Penzance, Matador, Daisy Pulls It Off, Cats, Chicago, Evita and Oklahoma directed by Jamie Hammerstein and in repertory, Rocky Horror Show, Fiddler On The Roof and Stepping Out.

TV credits include, Sister Berthe in the live recording of The Sound Of Music for ITV directed by Coky Giedroyc, Rome directed by Alan Coulter, Judge John Deed directed by Steve Kelly, Mrs Stubbs in Chuckle Vision, directed by Jack Jameson, Genie In The House directed by Rob MacGillvray, The Biz directed by David Andrews, Hale and Pace directed by Peter Orton, Practcie Makes Perfect directed by Charles Garland, Eastenders directed by Michael Owen Morris, Friday Night Project directed by Steve Smith and Spy Series directed by John Bird

Norma has also appeared in Beauty and the Beast directed by Bill Condon, Irini Meryl Streeps Housekeeper in Mamamia directed by Phyllida Llyod, Mother Whore in Les Miserables directed by Tom Hooper, Bronwen in Mortdecai directed by David Koepp, Mrs Grimm in The Story Of…. Directed by James Abadi, The Kid directed by Nick Moran, Yentl directed by Barbra Streisand

Send us a text

Bill Deamer is one of Britain's leading choreographers whose extensive training is grounded in ballet, jazz and tap. He is the first-choice go-to choreographer for period choreography.

He started his career when, employed as lead dancer in a production of Cabaret in the West End (choreographed and directed by his mentor Dame Gillian Lynne OBE), he was offered an opportunity to choreograph his own version of Cabaret at Salisbury Playhouse. From there he has never looked back…

He was reunited with Gillian Lynne when he was invited by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Trevor Nunn to create the new tap choreography for the critically-acclaimed production of Cats at The London Palladium in 2014 (which has subsequently run world-wide). Other notable productions include The Boy Friend (Menier Chocolate Factory), Top Hat (For which Bill won the Olivier Award for Best Choreographer), the 50th Anniversary UK Tour of The Sound of Music, Evita at the Dominion Theatre, UK/European revival Saturday Night Fever and the acclaimed Follies at The National Theatre directed by Dominic Cooke, for which Bill was nominated for his third Olivier Award. 

Bill is also a very successful choreographer for film & television – His keen eye for the camera has served him well, most notably for So You Think You Can Dance, ITV’s All Star Musicals and the hit BBC series Strictly Come Dancing, where he continues to contribute featured group professional routines and Charlestons.

Throughout his career Bill has also become an expert on Fred Astaire, one of his dance idols. He directed and choreographed the first-ever tribute to Fred at the London Palladium, and has appeared in ITV Perspectives programme For the Love of Fred Astaire. 

Send us a text

At the time of recording, Tara had finished as director for Falsettos at the Other Palace theatre, which was the winner of the Whatsonstage Best Off West End Musical. She is currently associate director/choreographer for Come from Away in the West End.

Tara's director credits include: The Producers (China); Little Shop of Horrors (UK Tour); Peter Pan and Cinderella (Poole); Miss Saigon, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Who’s Tommy and Sister Act (Isle of Man) and Cats (Channel Islands).

Her associate director credits include: Motown (West End and UK Tour); Memphis (Shaftesbury); Sister Act (UK Tour); Sunday in the Park with George (Menier Chocolate Factory, Wyndham’s and Broadway) and High School Musical 1 and 2 (UK Tours).

She was resident director for 9 to 5: the Musical (UK Tour); Hair (Gielgud); Grease (Scandinavia) and The Fully Monty (UK Tour) and assistant choreography for Tick Tick…Boom! (Menier Chocolate Factory and Los Angeles) and Adrift in Macao (Off-Broadway).

Her workshop experience includes: Allegiance and Frozen (New York).

Send us a text

Nick Winston is an international Director and Choreographer working in Theatre, Opera & Television.

Nick's theatre credits includes, as Director & Choreographer: the first UK revival of MAME, starring Tracie Bennett (Hope Mill Theatre – 7 Whatsonstage nominations including Best Musical Revival and Best Choreography); the 30th anniversary production of FAME (West End, UK tour & International tour – Broadway World nomination for Best Choreographer); CHESS starring Ramin Karimloo and Samantha Barks (Tokyo and Osaka); the first original UK revival of CATS (Kilworth House Theatre – Broadway World Award nomination for Best Director); ROCK OF AGES (UK tour and Berlin); THE WEDDING SINGER (Troubadour; UK tour and South Korea - DIMF Award for Best Musical); AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (National Theatre, Linz – 8 Broadway World nominations including Best Director, Best Choreographer & Best Musical); FLASH MOB (Peacock Theatre and UK tour); GUYS AND DOLLS (Kilworth House Theatre); CLUB TROPICANA (UK Tour); BUGSY MALONE (Leicester Curve – Broadway World Award nomination for Best Director and Best Choreographer); A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM (Leicester Curve) and TOMORROW MORNING (New End Theatre).

As Choreographer: WAITING FOR GODOT (Lincoln Center, New York); ANNIE (Piccadilly Theatre, UK Tour, South Africa and Toronto - Broadway World Award nomination for Best Choreographer); LOSERVILLE (Garrick Theatre - Olivier nomination for Best New Musical, Broadway World nomination for Best Choreographer); HORRID HENRY: LIVE AND HORRID (Trafalgar Studios); THE WIZARD OF OZ (Royal Festival Hall); KISS ME, KATE (Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, Grand Théâtre, Luxembourg; Graz Opera); SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (Leeds Playhouse, The Royal Exchange, Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie and Royal Danish Opera); LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Salisbury Playhouse - Broadway World Award nomination: Best Choreographer); WHITE CHRISTMAS (Leeds Playhouse – Broadway World Award nomination: Best Choreographer) CALAMITY JANE starring Jodie Prenger (Watermill Theatre & UK Tour – Broadway World Award nomination: Best Choreographer); LOVE STORY (Minerva Theatre, Chichester).

Opera: THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO (Opera North, Sadler’s Wells, Moscow State Opera, Bonn Opera and Minnesota Opera – RPS Award for Best Opera); IL TURCO IN ITALIA (Garsington Opera); FORTUNIO (Grange Park Opera); BENZIN (Chemnitz Opera).

TV/Film: director & choreographer of THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE in the presence of HRH Prince William (London Palladium and ITV); FAME: LIVE FROM THE WEST END (Broadway HD); Choreographer for: MIRANDA: MY SUCH FUN CELEBRATION (London Palladium and BBC); SONDHEIM AT 80 starring Dame Judi Dench (Royal Albert Hall and BBC); SHAKESPEARE LIVE! FROM THE RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company and BBC - BAFTA nomination for Live Entertainment) and music videos for BOB THE BUILDER (Universal). 

Send us a text

Kate hails originally from the North East. She qualified with BAHons in History from Durham University before moving to London to pursue her dream of becoming a performer, beginning with a postgraduate course in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music. She was awarded the DipRAM for her study year, gained a teaching qualification (LRAM) and has since been made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) for excellence in her field. Kate continues to explore aspects of vocal technique (including Estill method to advanced level) and is currently studying for a PGCert in Performance teaching at the Guildhall Schools of Music and Drama.

Kate is currently playing Diane in Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre, London. Theatre credits include Tanya in Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre) Cherry Sunday in the Original London Cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Tanya in Mamma Mia! (International tour), Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot the Musical (Victoria Palace theatre), Hold Me Touch Me in the Original London Cast of The Producers (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Babette in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Dominion Theatre London and National Tour), A Bowl of Cherries (Charing Cross Theatre), Lucy in The Thing About Men (Landor Theatre), Miranda in A Comedy of Arias (King’s Head and Jermyn St), Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (Derby Playhouse), Stepmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Bristol Old Vic), Elvira in High Spirits (Bridewell), Original Cast of Dick Barton Special Agent (Croydon Warehouse and National tours), Dick Barton and the Curse of the Pharaoh’s Tomb (Greenwich), Jerry Springer The Opera (BAC),  No Way to Treat a Lady (Art’s Theatre), Les Miserables (German Tour), Three Lost Souls (BAC and King’s Head).

Kate's first professional work upon leaving college was a concert with the Stephen Hill Singers for Radio 2. From then she became a regular member of 'Capital Voices' run by Annie Skates and has enjoyed an extremely wide variety of work with them. Solo concert work includes Christmas Singalong (Glasgow Royal Concert Halls), Friday Night is Music Night (Radio 2), Abba Symphonic (BSO), Cole Porter Classics (RFH and Bridgewater Hall), Concert tour with the RAF Central Band. Backing vocals for numerous artists including Westlife, Kylie and The Feeling at Proms in the Park, Russell Watson, Lesley Garrett, Cliff Richard, Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, KD Lang, John Wilson Orchestra and soundtracks including Galavant, Nine, Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar. Kate also appeared in Fiddler on the Roof (as Chava), Guys and Dolls (as Mimi) and Sweet Charity for BBC Radio 2.

Alongside her professional work Kate has always enjoyed working with private students at home and has taken masterclasses and private lessons at several colleges including Momentum Performing Arts Academy, Performers College, LSMT, Millennium and RSAMD. She was also the Assistant Children’s Director at Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and thoroughly enjoyed working with the extremely talented mini cast on their performances.

http://www.kategraham.info

Send us a text

Rachel Stanley is a British actress and singer.

She has had an amazing career in musical theatre playing Mum in Legally Blonde (Leicester Curve); lead vocalist in The Song Book of Judy Garland (UK Tour); Betty Haynes in White Christmas (Dominion 2014 and seasons in Edinburgh, Manchester, Plymouth & Southampton); Grace Farell in Annie (New Zealand Tour & UK Tour); Gill in Jackie the Musical (Gardyne Theatre, Dundee); Tess in Crazy for You (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Novello Theatre); Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour); Velma Kelly in Chicago (Adelphi Theatre & World Tour); Edna the Spectacle (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Erma in Anything Goes (National Theatre & Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Miss Dinsmore/Dora Baily in Singin’ in the Rain (National Theatre); Chess (UK tour); Me and My Girl (UK tour); My Fair Lady (UK Tour); and 42nd Street (Dominion Theatre & UK Tour).

She has recently finished playing Mrs Brice, in Funny Girl (Théâtre Marigny, Paris) and is about to play the part of Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street (Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris).

Her career also includes theatre, concerts, video, workshops, film and TV work. For a complete resumé see https://www.spotlight.com/5164-9084-2838.

Send us a text

Cassidy Janson is a British actress, best known for her work in musical theatre.

In 2005 Janson appeared in Tick, Tick... Boom! at the Menier Chocolate Factory. She played Susan, alongside Neil Patrick Harris as Jonathan and Tee Jaye Susan as Michael. In 2006 she joined the original West End cast of Wicked as part of the ensemble, later moving to be standby for the role of Elphaba. Following this, she joined the final West End cast of Avenue Q as Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut. In 2011 she originated the role of Maggie Saunders in the musical version of Lend me a Tenor. She appears on the original cast recording.

Janson has appeared in several shows Off-West End, including Company at the Southwark Playhouse (as Amy), Rooms: A Rock Romance at the Finborough Theatre (as Monica), and Blood Wedding at the Courtyard Theatre.

In 2013 she returned to the Menier Chocolate Factory in Candide, playing the role of Paquette. Following this, she played Ruth in Dessa Rose at the Trafalgar Studios, alongside Cynthia Erivo as Dessa.

In November 2015 Janson took over the role of Carole King in the West End production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. She joined Carole King at the British Summer Time concerts to perform I Feel The Earth Move. She remained with the production until it closed in August 2017.

In 2018 she appeared in a revival of Chess as Florence at the London Colosseum, alongside Michael Ball, Alexandra Burke and Tim Howar.

In April 2019 she appeared in Man of La Mancha at the London Colosseum, sharing the roles of Aldonza and Dulcinea with Danielle de Niese. The production played a limited run to 8 June 2019. Following this, she has been cast in the new musical & Juliet, which is currently showing on the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre. She stars as Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare's love, Shakespeare being portrayed by Oliver Tompsett. Janson has been nominated for an Olivier Award in the category of Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance of Anne Hathaway.

In 2017 Janson teamed up with Beverley Knight and Amber Riley to form a musical theatre supergroup, known collectively as the "Leading Ladies". Their debut album, Songs from the Stage, was released on 17 November 2017 and features covers songs from Cats, Beautiful and Rent among others.

Cassidy Janson announced via her Twitter in late 2018 that she had signed a record deal with BMG. In April 2019 Janson announced that her debut album Cassidy would be released on 14 June. It features 14 new songs, 12 co-written by Janson herself, and new song written for her by legend and friend Carole King.

For more information about her and to purchase her album go to her website at http://www.cassidyjanson.com

Bio courtesy of Wikipedia

Send us a text

Ionica is a British stage and screen Actress. She was born and adopted from Romania at the age of 2 and a half years old. Ionica trained at East 15 Acting School in 2008. Ionica is currently featuring in Documentary, 'The Acting Class', alongside Maxine Peake, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Samuel West & Christopher Eccleston – showing across cinemas now. Ionica has recently wrapped on Feature Film, 'Schadenfreude', produced by Steve Sweeney which is later to be released. Ionica sang at the Closing Ceremony at the Newcastle Film Festival and at 2018’s Festival of Remembrance at York Barbican. 

Ionica was nominated and awarded as 'Best Emerging Actress' at 2018’s International Achievement Recognition Awards (IARA) for her role as 'Genie' in 'Aladdin' in 2018 following with the role of 'Carabosse' in 'Sleeping Beauty' at The Princess Theatre, Torquay, 2019.

Ionica can be seen as a Judge on BBC One’s second series of ‘All Together Now’ (Celebrity Special & Ep 1-6). Ionica is a former Presenter at BBC Radio York presenting the Arts & Culture show every Friday evening, 7-10pm. Ionica hosted at 'MOVE IT', 'Can You Dance?' 2019 and was booked again for 'MOVE IT 2020' – Ionica also hosted the ‘Hospitality Talks Stage’ at BBC Country File Live, Castle Howard, 2019. Ionica finished her run as 'Fairy Godmother' in 2019/2020 ‘Cinderella’ at The Elgiva, Chesham.

Ionica can be currently seen in commercials on Ideal World and Beth Macari’s Charity video, 'I Am'. During lock down Ionica has been a judge for several 'Bake Offs' after The launch of the 'Singing Baker That Can’t Really Bake' during lock down. 

Due to Ionica’s history she is a Guest Speaker/Motivational Speaker at events and graduations. During lock down Ionica spoke at the Lancet Webinar supporting the 'ForEveryChildAHome' talk.

Send us a text

Nicola grew up in Manchester, England. She became a professional actor at 14 when she performed in The Little Matchgirl with Roger Daltrey (the Who). She started touring with musical theatre companies at 17, performing in Chess, The Sound of Music and Lloyd Webber’s production of Aspects of Love. Nicola’s big break came at 21 when she was picked to play the role of Lola in the West End production of Barry Manilow’s Copacabana. It changed her life. She moved to London and never looked back.

She first visited Canada in 1996 when she was asked to join Cirque du Soleil’s production of Saltimbanco. After the tour, she returned to the UK to continue her stage career, performing roles in musicals such as Fame, Taboo and the Leader of the Pack. She was a finalist in series 3 of The X Factor with the group The Unconventionals. Shortly after she was asked to to re-create her role in Saltimbanco on a world Arena tour in 2007. This time she met her future husband and they toured with the show for another 5 years together!

In 2012 Nicola immigrated to Quebec, Canada and was soon cast as Trish in Kinky Boots playing at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto. Since then she’s been cultivating her career in her new country, performing at the famous Charlottetown Festival for 3 seasons, The Segal Centre – Montreal, St Lawrence Centre – Toronto and Theatre Calgary in productions such as Bend it Like Beckham, Mamma Mia!, Les Belles Soeurs, Bittergirls and Anne of Green Gables as well as returning to work for Cirque on their resident show, Joyà, in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Nicola is looking forward to getting back to rehearsals after the pandemic. She was about to perform the role of Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot at the Neptune Theatre, Halifax. A bucket list role for her!

“Here’s to the light at the end of the tunnel. Sending all my love to everyone globally during this crazy time”

Send us a text

Derby-born actor Andy Coxon trained at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Once graduating Andy landed a role in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, marking his professional debut. In the same year he travelled Europe understudying and playing Brad and Riff Raff to packed audiences in the European tour of the classic cult hit The Rocky Horror Show.

Later he went on to play one of the students in the Oscar winning movie musical version of Les Miserables alongside Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, directed by Tom Hooper. He then joined the West End cast of Les Miserables as Montparnasse and understudied Marius marking his West End debut.

Most recently, Andy played Tony in the sold out production of West Side Story at the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre. The world’s first version to be staged with brand new choreography and in the round.

Previous to this, Andy originated the role of Edward in brand new British musical Pieces of String at The Mercury Theatre, Colchester. This was straight after playing the iconic role of Berger in the award winning, 50th Anniversary production of Hair at the Vaults Theatre, London. A brand new soundtrack starring Andy is available on all platforms.

Hair began straight after Andy had played struggling soldier Mitch, in the highly acclaimed, heart wrenching Yank! at Charing Cross Theatre. Also, returned to the West End to understudy and play Barry Mann in the original West End cast of the Grammy, Tony and Olivier award winning musical, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

Throughout his career Andy has performed in many prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall as part of Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday celebrations. He has performed in special guest slots for West End leading ladies Julie Atherton and Emma Hatton as well as making his solo debut concert at Pizza Express Live, Holborn and The Pheasantry in London. He has performed alongside Broadway star Eden Espinosa in Christmas In New York at London’s Palace Theatre and Manchester Opera House.

Andy And has twice performed as a lead soloist in the The Knights of Music, a UK concert tour which brought national treasure Phillip Schofield back to the stage.

Other credits include: Jamie in the Frankfurt premiere of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years. American music mogul Tony Visconti in the U.K. Tour of 20th Century Boy: The Marc Bolan Musical. Pablo in the sell out summer season of Sister Act at Kilworth House Open Air Theatre. For the last few years Andy has been heavily involved in the workshops of new musicals Pieces of String directed by Strictly Come Dancing judge, Craig Revel Horwood, Fanny and Stella, and Defect by Lift composer, Craig Adams.

Form more information see https://www.andycoxon.com

Send us a text

Neil has been in the arts since the age of 4 and has been lucky enough to follow the dream he had as a child.

Having started dancing locally in Greenford in Middlesex he was lucky enough to be accepted by Arts Educational schools and then the Royal Ballet school.

On leaving Royal Neil became a part of the Bluebells from Paris travelling the world and doing what he likes to think of as his apprenticeship for things to come.

Neil has performed in such shows as Me and My Girl, Time, Cats, Starlight Express, Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon, Jolson and Billy Elliot where he was also a tap coach to many of the talented children that came through the door.

His last performing gig was at the Royal Opera House alongside Edward Watson in the acclaimed production of 'Metamorphosis'.

Since hanging up his jazz shoes Neil has forged a career in the Media both on screen, in print and behind the camera.

He is currently Media and Communications Manager for London Broncos Rugby League team based in Ealing in West London.
 
Likes: Tottenham Hotspurs, Show Tunes, History, Random facts
Dislikes: Ditherers, Injustice, Pushy Mums!
Hobbies: Movies, Golf,
Loves: Family, Fiance, Daughter!
Hates: Arsenal, Vegetables, Fruit!!

Send us a text

Richard  has enjoyed a great career in hair, make-up and wigs. He has worked on Finding Neverland,  Evita, La Cage Aux Folles, Frost Nixon, Waitress and Priscilla in New York.

London theatre credits include: BIG the MUSICAL, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat,  Fiddler on the Roof, Nine to Five, Uncle Vanya, Guys and Dolls at the Royal Albert Hall, Pack of Lies, Pinter at the Pinter, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Labour of Love, Spamilton, Lazarus the David Bowie Musical, The Libertine, Mrs Henderson Presents, Elf, The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Season, The Ruling Class, Assassins, Urinetown, Forbidden Broadway, Richard the Third, From Here To Eternity, The Commitments, Strangers On A Train, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Merrily We Roll Along, Privates on Parade, South Pacific, Top Hat, Hairspray, Passion, Legally Blonde, End of the Rainbow, Piaf, Sweet Charity, Frost/Nixon, The Producers, Kiss Me Kate, Starlight Express
and “Thoroughly Modern Millie”.

Nationwide productions include: The Madness of King George for Nottingham Playhouse and National Theatre LIVE, CILLA the Musical, White Christmas, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, We Will Rock You, Nine To Five, A Damsel in Distress at Chichester Festival Theatre, Benidorm the Musical, Abigail’s Party and Little Britain Live.

Film credits include: The Ghost Writer, Titanic, It's De-Lovely, Star Wars, Mask of Zorro, Disney's Santa Clause and Richard Harris as Dumbledore in Harry Potter. Television  includes: ITV's CILLA, Vikings, Black Sails, Ripper Street, Mr Selfridge, Little Britain, Catherine Tate Show, French and Saunders, Poirot, Miss Marple, Gavin and Stacey, House of Saddam and Larkrise to Candleford.  

Richard owns London’s Wig Specialities and is personal wig-maker to Sir Sean Connery, Kylie Minogue, Sheridan Smith, Paloma Faith, Jessie J and Dame Edna Everage.

Plans include: The UK and Ireland tour of Waitress, the return of Hairspray to the Coliseum in 2021 and The Angel of Darkness for Netflix filming in Budapest.

Send us a text

Alison is Associate Director on THE BOOK OF MORMON (London and International Tour). In 2021 Alison will direct the UK/International tour of DREAMGIRLS and will be Associate Director on the Broadway transfer of MEAN GIRLS.

Director: CHICAGO (International Tour), SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (National Tour), SPAMALOT (Melbourne, Australia and Cologne, Germany), ENGLISH HERITAGE AWARDS (Palace Theatre), SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS - THE MUSICAL (UK Tour), ROBIN HOOD AND THE BABES IN THE WOOD(Palace Theatre, Mansfield) and CHICAGO (Marrakech and Turkey).

Director and Choreographer: Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (5 Year International Tour), SNOW WHITE (Wycombe Swan), SLEEPING BEAUTY, PETER PAN, CINDERELLA, SNOW WHITE (Churchill, Bromley) and WAG! (Charing Cross Theatre). 

Associate Director on DREAMGIRLS (Savoy Theatre), LOVE NEVER DIES (Adelphi Theatre), SPAMALOT (Palace Theatre), CHICAGO (Adelphi and Cambridge Theatre), MY ONE AND ONLY (Piccadilly Theatre), RENT (Prince of Wales Theatre & UK Tour), NAPOLEON (Shaftesbury Theatre),  BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Dominion Theatre and UK Tour), SHOWBOAT (Prince Edward Theatre), TOMMY (Shaftesbury Theatre, and U.K. Tour), AIN'T MISBEHAVIN’ (Lyric Theatre), THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – 30th Anniversary Tour, THE NEW ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Victoria Palace), THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (UK Tour and European Tour) and BARNUM (UK Tour). 

Alison choreographed EASTENDERS - 3 episodes (BBC1), HIGH SPIRITS (Bridewell Theatre), AFTER THE FAIR (Kings Head Theatre), ME AND MY GIRL, ASPECTS OF LOVE, BOYBAND and CAROUSEL (Palace Theatre, Westcliff). 

Alison is married to director Jon Emmanuel and they have a son, Jack, a daughter, Olivia and a dog, Molly.

Send us a text

Ben Costello is a freelance conductor, musical director, adjudicator, singing coach and accompanist, working internationally. He is also Artistic Director of Thames Concerts Ltd, Founding Director of Kingston Chamber Singers, Chorus Master for the Leith Hill Musical Festivalcombined choirs concerts, Guest Conductor of the Voices of Hangzhou Youth Choir, a lecturer in musical theatre at the University of Portsmouth, and a musical director and singing coach at Laine Theatre Arts.

A specialist in musical theatre, he has been musical director for numerous productions, and a reflective product of this has been his continuing work in most of the major London performing-arts colleges includingArts Educational (London), Mountview Academy, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Guildford School of Acting, the Royal Academy of Music, the London College of Music, Starquest Performers College and the universities of London, Surrey and Kingston.  Countless of his former students enjoy successful careers in the West End and beyond.

Ben trained initially as a flautist, and subsequently majored in piano, singing and conducting.  He remains much sought-after as an outstanding accompanist in musical theatre repertoire but collaborates in a variety of genres with countless singers and instrumentalists in concerts and other performing environments. 

Ben is also a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, organising and chairing the Company’s annual musical direction scholarship.

Ben has been musical director with many musical theatre productions across the U.K., is a guest conductor with various choirs, and as an accompanist and coach collaborates with countless singers and instrumentalists. He judges at competitive festivals throughout the U.K. and overseas as an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals and the Schools Music Association.

Outside of music, he is a keen motorcyclist, and rides a rather heavy Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200.

https://www.bencostello.com

Send us a text

Graham is best known for his role playing Nigel Pargetter in the BBC radio series The Archers from 1983 until January 2011. After his character's death in 2011, Seed played himself as the villain in a Radio 4 pantomime who plans to bring down Radio 4 by releasing the Pips, but ultimately falls to his death whilst retrieving a banner, paralleling his Archers character. In addition to The Archers, Seed has appeared in the well-known "Is it on the Trolley?" sketch, alongside Victoria Wood (its author) and Duncan Preston in Wood's As Seen on TV series, the TV soap operas Brookside (1995–97, as Dick Thornton), Coronation Street (1981, as a solicitor) and Crossroads (1985–88, as Charlie Mycroft).

His other roles include the adult Britannicus, son of the emperor Claudius in the BBC adaptation of Robert Graves' I, Claudius (1976), Harrop in William Boyd's Channel 4 Film Good and Bad at Games (1983) and Jorkins in the first episode 'Et in Arcadia ego' of the  Granada Television television adaptation of Brideshead Revisited (1981). He also appeared in the Richard Attenborough's 1982 period biographical film Gandhi (1982), ATV's Edward the Seventh (1975), Bergerac (1981), C.A.B. (1986) Midsomer Murders (2009) and Wild Target (2010).

Send us a text

Keith Jack is best known for his appearance in the BBC1 Show ‘Any Dream will Do’, coming in second.

Shortly after the program Keith joined the UK Tour of Bill Kenwright’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in which he played The Narrator. He then created the lead role of Charlie in the new musical Only the Brave, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, following this he was asked back to take over the lead part of Joseph, which he played for three years.  He has also played the role of Alistair in the Edinburgh festival and UK premier of Sincerely Mr Toad and the part of Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore.

Pantomimes include; Aladdin in Aladdin and Prince in Sleeping Beauty (King’s Theatre Glasgow), the title role in Peter Pan (His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen) and Prince Charming in Cinderella (Whitley Bay) Dick Whittington (Maidstone)

Concerts include; Performing in front of her Majesty the Queen and the Spanish Royal Family at the ‘Parliament Picnic’, The Great Scot Awards, Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards, Choices for Life 2008 & 2009 playing to over 100,000 people, Lauder Live at Thirlestane Castle, BBC Two’s 'Friday Night is Music Night',  'Music Music Music' John Barrowman’s album tour at the Hammersmith Apollo, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Birthday concert at Hyde Park, BBC’s 'Songs of Praise' and headlining Aberdeen’s Hogmany street party 2009 with Sandi Thom and Amy Macdonald. Most recently 'An Evening of Movies and Musicals' in Cardiff and Edinburgh with John Owen jones and Ruthie Henshall. He has just recently finished an album tour with Ruthie Henshall and was part of 42nd street gala concert

Since appearing on ‘Any Dream will Do’, Keith has been asked back by the BBC on several occasions including the When Joseph met Maria and I’d Do Anything.

Keith has released three albums. His debut was called This Time and went straight into the Top 40 . His most recent album An Evening at the Musicals was released in 2010 and is available from his website and all download sites.  He completed two sell out UK Tours of these albums. Keith can also be heard on John Barrowman’s album, Music, Music Music.

In 2011 Keith was in New York recording the soundtrack for the award winning film, The Dreams of Kings.

For more information or to buy his latest album, 'Movie Nights', go to hie website at http://officialkeithjack.co.uk

Send us a text

Summer has been involved in the West End productions of Cats, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Guys and Dolls and The Boy Friend (for which she was nominated for the 2007 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Role in a Musical). During the Christmas season of 2006 she played the title role in the pantomime Dick Whittington and His Cat. She starred in The Drowsy Chaperone (for which she was nominated for the 2008 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical), alongside Elaine Paige.

In 2008, Strallen took over the role of 'Maria' from Connie Fisher in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End revival of The Sound of Music and as part of a publicity campaign, she was cast in the soap opera Hollyoaks as character Summer Shaw. The character's storyline eventually involved her auditioning for, and being awarded, the role of Maria in The Sound of Music. Her character left Hollyoaks as she debuted in the actual stage production at the London Palladium on 26 February 2008. For this role she was nominated for the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Takeover in a Role. She remained with the production until its closure on 21 February 2009.

In December 2008, Strallen competed on a special West End edition of The Weakest Link and finished in second place.

Strallen starred as Meg Giry in the sequel to Phantom of the Opera called Love Never Dies, from February 2010 to March 2011 in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre. For this role Strallen won the Broadwayworld.com UK Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and was also nominated for the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. She also received another nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for this role.

She created the Ginger Rogers role of Dale Tremont in the musical, Top Hat, which began a UK tour in August 2011. The production began at the West End's Aldwych Theatre on 19 April 2012 and opened on 9 May 2012. Interview with Summer Strallen (Dale Tremont in Top Hat). For this role she earned her fourth Olivier Award nomination. She also went on tour with Strictly Come Dancingprofessional Anton Du Beke, performing both songs and dances to audiences around Britain.

On 30 May 2015, she began playing the role of Maud Marshmoreton, in a musical adaption of the novel A Damsel in Distress at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Strallen portrayed Inga in the London production of Young Frankenstein, which premiered at Theatre Royal, Newcastle in August 2017 and then transferred the following month to the Garrick Theatre.

Summer has just launched thestrallencollective.com which creates online classes from world leading professionals in performance and wellness.

Send us a text

Nigel joined the Bristol Old Vic company at the Theatre Royal in 1983 where he stayed for three years working on 29 productions ranging from ‘RICHARD II’ to the musical ‘JUDY’ which he also worked on when it transferred to London’s Strand Theatre in 1986. 
 
After a season on the Theatre Of Comedy production of ‘ROOKERY NOOK’ at London's Shaftesbury Theatre he joined the Olivier award winning musical ‘ME AND MY GIRL’ at the Adelphi Theatre and became Associate Director in March 1988 establishing a 10 year association with director Mike Ockrent, going on to direct the first sell out British national tour. He has also acted as Artistic Consultant on several foreign productions, and has directed the show in Stockholm, (in Swedish) Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Receiving best director nominations for the Canadian and Australian productions. 

Nigel then became Associate director of the Tony and Olivier award winning 'CRAZY FOR YOU' at the Prince Edward Theatre, London and directed the UK tour and Australian Production of the show. He also acted as artistic supervisor for the South African production. 

He then directed 'CLOSER THAN EVER' for Bergen Film, Stage and Television, Holland and a sell out season of  'SHE LOVES ME' for the Drayton Festival Theatre in Canada, choreographed by Stephen Mear.

He was UK Associate Director of the Olivier award winning Disney's 'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST' at London's' Dominion Theatre and resident Director of the Tony and Olivier Award winning musical revival of Kander and Ebb's 'CHICAGO' at the Adelphi Theatre, which he also directed in Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Dusseldorf. 

His own productions include a national tour of Stephen King's 'MISERY', 'JUST FOR JOE' a one woman show starring Brenda Cochrane at the Edinburgh festival and subsequent Scottish Tour and  Dennis Potters 'BLUE REMEMBERED HILLS' for the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. He has also directed various pantomimes at Glasgow Kings Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome and Coventry.

‘THE PRODUCERS’ for Susan Stroman – A US tour (3 years) including a season at Harrah’s Casino, Atlantic City, ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’ for the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton which subsequently toured the United States (four years) including a season at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, New York City, the first German speaking production of ‘THE PRODUCERS’ re opening the newly renovated Ronacher Theatre in Vienna Austria which subsequently played Berlin!! 

Revisiting ‘CHICAGO‘ over recent years directing productions in Australia, Singapore, Korea, Madrid, Barcelona, Spanish tour and Cambridge and Garrick Theatre, London. 

He directed a new production of Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s ‘MARY POPPINS' in Ontario, Canada which  received a 'best production' nomination, the highly acclaimed production of Susan Stoman’s ‘SCOTTSBORO BOYS’ Young Vic Theatre and Garrick Theatre, London and most recently, ‘THE PRODUCERS’ US Tour, associate director to Susan Stroman / Mel Brooks “YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN” Garrick Theatre London,  “ALADDIN” Starring Elaine C Smith. Kings Theatre, Glasgow and he produced, wrote and hosted ‘A Wee Blether’ with Gregor Fisher which was a two hour chat show.

Send us a text

Tim trained at Mountview before embarking on his successful career within the performing arts world.

His directing credits include: Into the Woods, (Cockpit Theatre), Metropolis,Wonderful Town, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Days of Hope, She Loves Me, Follies. (Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre); NewsRevue (Edinburgh 2013, Canal Café Theatre, London 2013 and 2016), Sunny Side of The Street, Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered, Classic Moments, Hidden Treasures, Coloured Lights and Jack The Ripper  (Jermyn Street Theatre); Sweeney Todd and Chess (University of Cumbria, Carlisle); Rubbed, Goosed, Fanny, Jack Sissy That Stalk, Charming Dick and Prince Bendover in Boots (RVT); Beans and Cream  (Canal Café Theatre); Hot Lips Cold War (London Theatre Workshop), Maurice, My Beautiful Laundrette, Dangerous, When Harry met Barry, Orton, Rise Like A Phoenix, Boyes Play, Cleveland Street, The Blink Series, three seasons of the hit Bathhouse (Above The Stag Theatre, where Tim was Associate Artistic Director from 2009 – 2015) and The Milkman’s on His Way, Slippered, a new musical with Tony Hatch.

His acting credits include: In Gay Company (RADA); Bathhouse and Silence of The Lambs (Above The Stag Theatre); Assassins (Pleasance Theatre); Blair on Broadway (Arts Theatre); Forever Plaid (UK Tour); South Pacific (Aberystwyth Arts Centre) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Chelmsford Civic Theatre and Middlesbrough Theatre); Godspell (Millfield Arts Centre); As You Like it, Aladdin and Dick Whittington (Mercury Theatre, Colchester); Another Country (Greenfields); Twelfth Night (Broadway Theatre, Catford); You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow (Greenwich Playhouse) and The Golden Key (Greenwich Theatre); Fred Astaire (London Palladium); Dame in Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Dick Whittington and Cinderella (Courtyard Theatre, Hereford); Snow White with Linda Robson (Beck Theatre, Hayes) Aladdin (Chelmsford Civic Theatre) Charming Dick (Cockpit Theatre) Sleeping Beauty with Honey G and Jack and The Beanstalk with Michelle Collins (White Rock Theatre, Hastings)

His cabaret credits include: Tim’s debut his show Mountains at Feinstein’s 54 Below in (New York) and a season at The Pride Arts Centre in Chicago  Tim Sings Stephen Sondheim’s Divas (Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre, Frankenstein’s and Above The Arts, Pride arts Centre – Chicago, Tada Theatre - NYC); Mountains (St James Theatre, Kenneth Moore Theatre, Ilford, Jermyn Street Theatre and Above The Arts); Tim McArthur and Chums (London Hippodrome); A New Direction (Theatre Lounge, Kuala Lumpur); New York Ding Dong (Don’t Tell Mama, NYC); Over the Rainbow (Upstairs at The Gatehouse, New End Theatre and Jermyn Street Theatre). Tim has supported Helen Lederer (UK Tour); Graham Norton (Hilton); Julian Clary (Savoy Theatre) and Bobby Davro (Bridlington Spa); Elton John’s Christmas Party. For the past 2 years Tim has been the host for the monthly Sondheim Society Cabaret Night (Phoenix Artist Club) and most recently was one of the headline singers in Sondheim Unplugged at London’s Hippodrome. 

For further information about Tim, visit his website timmcarthur.com

Send us a text

Mike Sterling is a much-in-demand performer with over 30 years’ experience encompassing West End theatre, television, radio, classical stage and recording. 

He has worked alongside many superstars in various television programmes and UK tours, including Dame Shirley Bassey, Barry Manilow, Michael Ball and Engelbert Humperdinck.
His West End credits include The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera which he performed over 1,000 times at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. His portrayal of both roles has earned him international acclaim.

He has also played the roles of Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, Marius in Les Misérables and Perón in Evita and, in 2008, played the role of Fagin in the Chinese premiere of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! at the PLA Opera House, Beijing. 

He took part in both the 10th and 25th Les Misérables Anniversary Concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1995 and O2 Arena in 2010 respectively and has toured his own concert, Mike Sterling in Concert, repeatedly.

He has appeared on television extensively, including fronting his own series, Mike Sterling’s Music Forum, for Border Television and released several solo albums. 

He has performed across the world with many leading orchestras.

Send us a text

Sasha Regan is an English theatre director. In 1998, she founded the Union Theatre, a small fringe venue on the premises of a disused paper warehouse on Union Street in the London borough of Southwark. She has been in charge of the theatre ever since.

Her director credits include: Blondel (The Union Theatre); The Last Five Years (St. James Theatre, Assisted Jason Robert Brown); Out There (Union Theatre); Cinderella (Watersmeet, Rickmansworth); H.M.S. PINAFORE (Hackney Empire/UK tour); Pipe Dream (Union Theatre); Pirates Of Penzance (Hackney Empire/Australian tour); Patience (Union Theatre); Iolanthe (Wilton's Music Hall) and Sweeney Todd (Union Theatre).

She has won critical praise for a number of productions including Sweeney Todd, The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Pajama Game, Cabaret and Annie Get Your Gun.

In 2007, Regan was awarded the Stage One Bursary for New Producers by The Society of London Theatre. This was followed by more success when the Union won in the category of Up-and-Coming Theatre at the 2008 Empty Space Peter Brook Awards. She also was awarded ‘Best Director’ in BroadwayWorld Awards 2010; Nominated twice for ‘Best Artistic Director’ in The Off-West End Awards; Winner of ‘Best Off West End Production’ by What’s On Stage 2010; Winner of The Stage One Bursary; Winner ‘Best Fringe Programmer’ at The Fringe Report Awards 2012 and also won The Best Fringe Venue 2013 in The Stage 100 Awards.

Send us a text

LaMichael Leonard, Jr. is from Tallahassee, FL, but resides in Paris where he has
been the lead dancer and Master of Ceremonies at the world-famous Lido Cabaret since 2014.  

He began his professional dance career with Martha Graham Dance Company, where he was a soloist, and made his international debut in Athens, Greece soon after earning his BFA from New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL. 

LaMichael was a long-time company member creating many signature roles with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company from 2007 – 2014.  

Leonard has also choreographed for the NBA’s Miami Heat Dance Team and has performed with Buglisi Dance in NYC and West Coast Theatre Project.  LaMichael has been teaching with the USF Dance in Paris Programs since 2019.

Send us a text

As we finish 2020 and look forward to a more hopeful 2021, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my guests who gave their time up to be interviewed by me and sharing part of their life experiences within the performing arts world.

I also want to thank all my listeners who have given me such wonderful feedback and I hope you will continue to carry on listening to my podcast in the new year. Please do leave me a five star review on iTunes Podcasts, it would mean such a lot me.

I also want to thank Steven Randall of ocean-design.com who has given his technical and design support in getting this podcast up and running.

Merry Christmas and a safe and secure new year and see you in season 2 in 2021.

Send us a text

Some thoughts for the year ahead and wishing everyone hope and joy for 2021.

Send us a text

Sarah Ingram is a London-based actress whose musical theatre credits include Miss Jane in Floyd Collins (Wilton's Music Hall), Paulette in Legally Blonde (South Korea for The Curve) Grand High Witch in The Witches (The Curve and Tour) Medium / Aunt in See What I Wanna See (Jermyn Street Theatre), Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Twickenham Theatre), Stella in Follies (Opera de Toulon), Josie in Taboo (Brixton Club House), Mrs Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank (York Theatre Royal and Tour), Miss Hannigan in Annie (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Road Show (Menier Chocolate Factory), Hannah Owens in Flashdance (Shaftesbury Theatre, West End), Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre, Leicester), Mrs Blair in Inherit The Wind (Old Vic Theatre), Ursula in Much Ado About Nothing (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Sarah/Naomi in Imagine This (New London Theatre & Plymouth Theatre Royal), Mrs Pearce in My Fair Lady (Singapore/Kuala Lumpa), Lina Lamont in Singing in the Rain (Hereford Court Yard), Marge McDougal in Promises Promises (Sheffield Crucible), Mrs O'Brian in Showboat (Royal Albert Hall), Felicia in Murderous Instincts (Savoy Theatre), Dinah Murphy in South Pacific (Royal National Theatre), Sonia Walsk in Neil Simons' They're Playing Our Song (The English Theatre of Frankfurt), Therese Talien in the original West End production of Napoleon (Shaftesbury Theatre), Mrs Cratchitt in A Christmas Carol (Derby Playhouse), Maddie in Women Laughing (Not The National Theatre Tour), Sarah's own one woman show Portrait of a Lady (New End Theatre, Hampstead), The Dressmaker in Spin (Royal National Theatre Studio), Sylvie in Oklahoma! (Royal National Theatre and Lyceum Theatre), Anya in A Brief Affair (The Bridewell Theatre), Catherine in Martin Guerre (Prince Edward Theatre), Mona in Chicago (Leicester Haymarket), Maggie in Yakety Yak, and Rosie in Cabaret (The Sheffield Crucible). 

National tours include Scrooge with Anthony Newley, Minnie Faye in Hello Dolly with Dora Bryan, Alternate Laurey in Oklahoma! and Anytime Annie in 42nd Street.  

Film and television credits include: Daphne in Open Air, Come Home Ginger for Mentorn Films, Sylvie in the film of the Royal National Theatre's production of Oklahoma! and Sarah/Naomi in PBS’s production of Imagine This.

Send us a text

Michael England was born in Colchester and went on to study at Huddersfield University. Since then he has embarked on a highly successful career as conductor, composer and musical director.

In London’s West End, Michael has been Musical Director for Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot, The Producers, Jerry Springer – The Opera (also BBC TV) and Doctor Dolittle. On tour he has been Musical Director for The Sound of Music, Evita, Les Misérables, Aspects of Love and Grease. He has also been Assistant MD on Cats, Miss Saigon and West Side Story.

He has been Musical Supervisor for productions of Company; The Drowsy Chaperone; the all male productions of H.M.S. Pinafore (Hackney/UK tour), Iolanthe (Wilton’s), Patience (Union Theatre) and The Pirates of Penzance (Australia Tour/Sydney Theatre).

He has worked as an accompanist in London, Paris, Sydney and New York and has been musical director for John Barrowman, Tony Award winner Liliane Montevecchi and Olivier Award winner Ruthie Henshall.

In 2010 Michael was invited to conduct the opening weeks of Cameron Mackintosh's 25th anniversary production of Les Misérables, he conducted the new live cast album, and worked on the recent film version.

Orchestral conducting credits include The Philharmonia Orchestra, (Buckingham Palace), Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, the National Symphony Orchestra, Stockholm Sinfonietta, and the Slovenia Radio Symphony Orchestra (televised).

He has worked as Cover Conductor for the Royal Ballet productions of The Rite of Spring; Giselle; Chroma; Concerto; The Judas Tree; Monotones; La Valse and Marguerite & Armand.

He has composed music for film, TV, theatre, and the concert platform, as well as writing and conducting orchestrations for Ruthie Henshall's album, Pilgrim. He has also orchestrated The Ballad of Little Jo, Company and the new production Judy & Liza. He attended the Film Music Institute Orchestration Course in Los Angeles and composed the score for the film Night Junkies, released in the USA in 2007.

Michael has twice composed music for the Royal Ballet, Draft Works (Clore) and New Works (Linbury). His 40 minute ballet, La Destinée, commissioned by the Royal Ballet School, premiered at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in July 2013.

www.michaelengland.info

Send us a text

Aria Entertainment was founded in 2012 by Katy Lipson. In 2017, Katy was awarded the Best Producer award by the Off-West End Awards and is a recipient of the Stage One Bursary and Start Up Award. She made “The Stage 100” in 2018, 2019 and 2020 for her work at Hope Mill Theatre and in 2021 for her work as a solo producer.

Katy produced the UK Premiere Tour of The Addams Family and the 50th Anniversary production of HAIR at the London Vaults, which she originally co-produced with Hope Mill Theatre in 2016, where she was the Producing Artistic Director for all in-house musicals from 2016 – 2019. HAIR (The Vaults) won the award for Best Off-West End Production at the 2018 Whatsonstage Awards and completed a major UK Tour in 2019. Their transfer of Pippin, which played at the Southwark Playhouse, was nominated for a record number of Off West End Awards. Their production of Spring Awakening won the award for Best Regional show at the 2019 WOS awards. In 2012, the bicentenary year of Charles Dickens’ birth, she produced a revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood at the Arts Theatre, West End. This was followed by a transfer to the same venue in 2017 of new musical The Toxic Avenger following runs at The Edinburgh Festival’s Pleasance Theatre and the Southwark Playhouse.

Katy set up the From Page to Stage festival to support new musicals at all difference stages of development. In 6 years FPTS has given platform to over 100 new musicals of which many have gone on to have full productions and be licensed worldwide and now they run a full-time literary department for new musicals.

Other productions include: Mame (UK Tour), which was nominated for 7 WhatsOnStage Awards and starred Tracie Bennett; Unexpected Joy(Southwark Playhouse and York Theatre, Off-Broadway); It’s Only Life (Union Theatre); Mame, The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit, Rags, Putting it Together, The Return of the Soldier, Pippin, Spring Awakening, Aspects of Love, Little Women, The ToyBoy Diaries, Yank!, Parade and HAIR (Hope Mill Theatre); the London transfers of Pippin (Southwark Playhouse) and Yank! (Charing Cross Theatre); Rags and tick, tick…BOOM! (Park Theatre); The Last 5 Years, Aspects of Love, The Toxic Avenger and Promises, Promises (Southwark Playhouse); Vanities The Musical (Trafalgar Studios); The House of Mirrors & Hearts(Arcola Theatre); See What I Wanna See and The Return Of The Soldier (Jermyn Street Theatre); The Adventures of Pinocchio, Lizzieand The Who’s Tommy (Greenwich Theatre), Marry Me A Little, Jerry’s Girls and Forever Plaid (St. James Studio); Bar Mitzvah Boy, That’s Jewish Entertainment, Bette Miller and Me, The Jewish Legends, The Great Jewish American Songbook and The MGM Story (Upstairs at the Gatehouse and The Radlett Centre).

Other current projects include: The Osmonds (UK Tour); C-o-n-t-a-c-t (Various Worldwide Productions); Sammy (Lyric Hammersmith); The Addams Family (UK Tour) and Elton John: It’s A Little Bit Funny (UK Tour).

Twitter: @AriaEnts
Website: aria-entertainment.com

Send us a text

Matthew Cole is an OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATED Choreographer and is the founder of LONDON THEATRE RUNWAY. A musical theatre training and connectivity programme for industry professionals. www.londontheatrerunway.com

His forthcoming productions include: FOOTLOOSE UK Tour - 2021, IDENTICAL (based upon The Parent Trap) Directed by Trevor Nunn, Music by George Stiles and Lyrics by Anthony Drewe - 2021, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF UK TOUR - 2021, BERLIN BERLIN German and International Tour - 2021 and MEMPHIS UK and International Tour - 2022.

Choreography: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Olivier Award Nominated for Best Choreographer and Best Revival, dir. Trevor Nunn,The Menier Chocolate Factory, The Playhouse Theatre West End); OKLAHOMA (dir. Jeremy Sams, Chichester Festival Theatre); LOVESICK (dir. Chris Renshaw, Theatre J Washington DC); BERLIN BERLIN (German/International Tour); AMOUR (The Charing Cross Theatre);  THE BEAUTIFUL GAME (NYMT); THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (The Royal Academy of Music); THE NIGHT PIRATES (UK TOUR); THE PRODUCERS (China and Asian Tour); LOVESICK (New York City workshop); CINDERELLA (Milton Keynes); FLASHDANCE (UK and international Tour); EM (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama); FOOTLOOSE (UK and International Tour); LOVESICK (Berkely Repertory Theatre); ALADDIN (Theatre Clwyd); SIDE SHOW (Southwark Playhouse); THE MGM STORY (Upstairs at the Gatehouse); LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (UK TOUR); RAGS (The Royal Academy of Music); FOOTLOOSE (UK Tour); PURE IMAGINATION - The Songs of Leslie Bricusse (The Other Palace); BETTE  MIDLER AND ME (Edinburgh Festival and UK Tour); AMOUR (The Royal Academy of Music); JERRY’S GIRLS (The Other Palace, Jermyn Street Theatre); THE RETURN OF THE SOLDIER (Jermyn Street Theatre); ANGELINA BALLERINA THE MUSICAL (UK and Australian Tour)

Associate choreographer credits include: Guys and Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre and Phoenix Theatre).

Television credits include: Assistant Choreographer on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing (BBC).

Directing credits include: The Drive In London, Artistic Director; PIPPIN, Director/Choreographer; The Secret Garden, Director/Choreographer; Co Director CARMEN LA CUBANA, (Sadlers Wells); SWEET CHARITY, Director/choreographer; Resident Director on The Railway Children (King’s Cross Theatre); Resident Director on West Side Story (ATG UK Tour).

Send us a text

At 18 Laurretta joined English National Ballet under the Directorship of Wayne Eagling.  After 6 months she had the opportunity to dance the Principal role of Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis in Mary Skeaping's Giselle at the London Coliseum.  Following the success of this role Laurretta got to perform the Pas de Trois in Suite En Blanc along side Vadim Muntagirov and also participate in the new creation of the ballet Firebird, choreographed by George Williamson, dancing the roles of the Firebird and the Purist Lady.

In 2013 under the new directorship of Tamara Rojo, Laurretta got the opportunity to dance the prestigious role of Odette/Odile in Derek Deane's Swan Lake ‘in-the-round’, at the Royal Albert Hall.  Following this she travelled to Beijing where she competed and won the Gold Medal, in the 2nd International Beijing Ballet and Choreography Competition, being coached by HuaFang Zhang and partnered by James Forbat, both from the ENB Company.

At the end of the 2012/13 season Laurretta got promoted from Artist to First Soloist, one of the biggest promotions made at the Company.  From this Laurretta started to dance many Principal roles.  In January of the 2015/16 season she finally got promoted to her dream rank of Principal on stage at the London Coliseum.

In September 2017 she also joined the Bayerishes Staatsballett in Munich as a Principal under the directorship of Igor Zelensky, and in 2018 she decided to continue in Munich full time.

Over her career she has performed in many countries, Australia, China, Columbia, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia,The Netherlands, Oman, Poland, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan and Ukraine.

She has also been a Guest for Acosta Danza, Roberto Bolle and Friends, The Kremlin Palace Ballet, The Shanghai Ballet, The Kazan Opera Ballet, The National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Mongolia and The Satratov Opera Ballet Theatre.

For more information see https://summerscales.org

Send us a text

Gareth is a Welsh composer, arranger, conductor and musical director. He has worked extensively in London's West End on musical productions and also conducted orchestras worldwide including the BBC Concert Orchestra, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pasdeloup orchestra, RPO Concert Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, ENB Sinfonia, Orchestre de chambre de Paris and many others. After graduating from the Royal College of Music, London, he studied with Sir Peter Pears at Aldeburgh.

As Musical Supervisor his theatre credits include:  Kiss Me Kate, Chichester Festival Theatre; Crazy For You, Open Air Theatre and the Novello Theatre; INTO THE WOODS, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (captured by Digital Theatre); End of the Rainbow, Royal & Derngate, Trafalgar Studios; Strictly Gershwin, ENB, Albert Hall and the Coliseum; Sondheim At 80 Concerts – Merrily We Roll Along and Company at the Donmar Warehouse; The King and I, Royal Albert Hall; Wicked, Apollo Victoria; Acorn Antiques, Haymarket Theatre and UK Tour; Porgy & Bess, Savoy; Sinatra, London Palladium; Aladdin, The Old Vic; Children Will Listen, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; Musicality, Channel 4; Anything Goes, RNT and Drury Lane; My One & Only, Piccadilly. As Musical Director his credits include: Kiss Me Kate, Victoria Palace; Merrily We Roll Along, Donmar; Chicago, Adelphi London, Madrid, Gottenburg, Moscow and Japan; Damn Yankees, Adelphi; Nine, Donmar; Camelot, Covent Garden; Company, Donmar; Kiss of the Spider Woman, Shaftesbury; Miss Saigon, Drury Lane; The Baker’s Wife, Phoenix; Cats, New London; Closer Than Ever, Vaudeville; Kiss Me Kate, RSC; Cabaret, Aldwych; 42nd Street, Drury Lane.

Send us a text

Nikki Belsher was trained at the Jeannine Greville Dancing Academy.

At 11 she made her West End debut in the musical Annie at the Victoria Palace. By the time she was 15 she had followed this with two further seasons in Annie, a season with Kids International at the Dominion and the leading role of Morgana in Tin Pan Ali at the Edinburgh Fringe.

She left school at 16 to join the cast of 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where she understudied both female leads - Peggy Sawyer and Anytime Annie - and remained there for two years. Nikki left 42nd Street having already started rehearsals for Cats playing the part of Jemima and understudying Jellylorum and Gumbie Cat.

Her other credits include: Pearl in ‘Starlight Express’ (Australasia Tour), Ensemble in ‘Can Can’ (Strand Theatre), ‘Ashley’ and Dance Captain in ‘Starlight Express’ (Apollo Victoria), ‘Sue’ and Dance Captain  in ‘A Slice of Saturday Night’ (UK Tour), Ensemble in ‘Carousel’ (National Theatre), ‘Candi’ in ‘Oh What a Night’ (Opera House, Blackpool), Ensemble in ‘Fame’ (Scandinavian Tour), ‘Marty’ in ‘Grease’ (Scandinavian tour), ‘Delores’/’Miss Cashdime’ in ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (National Theatre), Ensemble and Dance Captain in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ (UK Tour), ‘Nickie’ in ‘Sweet Charity’ (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield), Barelli Sister in ‘The Rat Pack’ (Haymarket Theatre), ‘Sheila Bryant’ in ‘A Chorus Line’ (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield).

Nikki assisted Peter Darling on the choreography for the original West End production of ‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ in London. She then joined Peter in New York to stage the show on Broadway, after which, she then re-joined the show in the West End as Resident Choreographer.

Nikki also assisted Peter with the choreography of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, the Musical, which opened in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.

More recently she has worked with Peter as Tap Dance Advisor for the West End and Broadway Productions of ‘Groundhog Day’, and the workshop for the Broadway Production of ‘

She has also been Resident Director for ‘Rainbow Rocks, My Little Pony Musical’ (Asia Tour 2016). Resident Director/Choreographer on ‘Me and My Girl’ (UK tour), ‘Footloose the Musical’ (UK tour and Playhouse Theatre in the West End), ‘The Rat Pack live from Las Vegas’ (Haymarket and Strand (now Novello) Theatres.)

Nikki's TV appearances include:  ‘Agony’ (Live TV), ‘2.4 Children’ (BBC), ‘Dramarama’ (ITV), ‘Campion’ (ITV), ‘The Eurovision Song Contest’, 1991.

Nikki is an adjudicator for DWC. She has taught guest workshops at home and Internationally. 

Send us a text

Dr John Rigby studied orchestral conducting at the University of Huddersfield and the Royal Northern College of Music. He gained his PhD from King’s College London having researched the cultural resonances of Franz Lehár’s ‘Berlin’ operettas during the Weimar Republic. He also holds an honorary Doctor of Arts from Edge Hill University in recognition of his work in musical theatre and conducting.

As a musical supervisor his credits include: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Palladium); SCHOOL OF ROCK (London, US Tour, Australia, Korea); THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (25th Anniversary UK and US Tours); JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (World Arena Tour & DVD); LES MISERABLES (Korea); MISS SAIGON (London, cinema release & DVD); THE PRODUCERS (UK Tour) and THE KING AND I (UK Tour). As a musical director his West End credits include: Christopher Wheeldon’s AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (Dominion & cinema release) BEAUTIFUL AND DAMNED (Lyric); THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Novello); THE KING AND I (Palladium); THE LAST EMPRESS (Apollo, Hammersmith); MARGUERITE (Theatre Royal, Haymarket); LES MISÉRABLES (Palace & Queens); THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Her Majesty’s); PETER PAN (Savoy); THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Savoy); THE PRODUCERS (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane) and SINATRA (Palladium). Additionally, he was musical director for the German productions of MISS SAIGON (Stuttgart) and STARLIGHT EXPRESS (Bochum). He also recently conducted and supervised the workshops for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 2018 reworking of STARLIGHT EXPRESS at The Other Palace, London.

His opera credits include: Judith Weir’s THE BLACK SPIDER(Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival); CARMEN JONES (Royal Festival Hall); CAROUSEL (Opera North); DIE FLEDERMAUS (Opera Holland Park); MADAMA BUTTERFLY (Lyric Opera, Dublin); and most recently CHESS (English National Opera).

John is extremely active on the concert platform as both a conductor and presenter and the numerous orchestras he has worked with include: the Berliner Symphoniker, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, CBSO, Dublin Concert Orchestra, Hallé Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra, Manchester Concert Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, RSNO, Scottish Concert Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, RTÉ Symphony Orchestra and the orchestras of both Welsh National Opera and Opera North. He has appeared as a conductor of BBC Radio 2’s FRIDAY NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT and is also conductor of the famous CLASSICAL SPECTAUCULAR concerts for Raymond Gubbay. He recently conducted the sell-out concerts of 2 CELLOS at the London Palladium and the Royal Albert Hall, as well as ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S 70th BIRTHDAY CONCERT with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Future plans include supervising the Russian premiere of CHESS in Moscow in October 2020, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical, CINDERELLA, which will open in London in spring 2021, and the return of JOSEPH to the London Palladium in summer 2021.

He has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts from Edge Hill University in recognition of his work in musical theatre and conducting.

Send us a text

After training at the  London Studio Centre and then a successful performing career, Nikki went on to direct and choreograph for productions including: Hairspray (Pimlico Opera); Barrie Humphries Weimar Cabaret (Barbican); Sweet Charity (Pimlico Opera); Anton and Erin (2015 thru 2020 tours); Les Miserables (Pimlico Opera); Porgy and Bess (Royal Danish Opera, Copenhagen); Ballroom to Broadway Tour (Anton Du Beke – 2014 Tour); The King’s Speech (Wyndhams Theatre & UK tour); Backbeat (Duke of Yorks/Toronto/Los Angeles ); Rigoletto (Opera Holland Park); La Traviata, Madame Butterfly, Tosca and Dialogue Du Carmelites (Grange Park Opera); Oklahoma! (Chichester Festival Theatre); Wuthering Heights (UK tour); Marguerite (Haymarket Theatre, London and Japan); Kismet (English National Opera); The King And I (UK tour), Nymph Errant (Minerva, Chichester); The Vivien Ellis Awards (Her Majesty’s Theatre London), Breathless (ITV Drama).

She has also been associate director on: Joseph and the Amazing technicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium);Unmasked (The Other Palace); Chess (English National Opera)

As a director, assistant director, assistant choreographer and rehearsal director, Nikki’s credits include: Gypsy (Chichester Festival Theatre - 2015); Ballroom to Broadway Tour (Anton Du Beke – 2014 tour); West Side Story (Pimlico Opera); She Loves Me (Chichester Festival Theatre); Madame Butterfly (Grange Park Opera) and Shoes (Saddler’s Wells/Peacock Theatre). 

Additionally Nikki works as a mass movement choreographer and her credits include: Glasgow Commonwealth Games (2014); Opening and Closing Ceremonies (Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games); Opening and Closing Ceremonies (London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games); Ajyal Youth Film Festival, Doha and The Big If (Hyde Park, London).

Bio courtesy of Global Artists

Send us a text

Send us a text

Alex made his West End debut in the RSC/Opera North production of Showboat at The London Palladium in 1991. Shortly after this he joined the London production of Buddy at The Victoria Palace Theatre. In 1992 Alex joined the American touring company of Buddy and performed at The White House in the presence of President & Mrs George Bush.

On his return Alex took over the role of Buddy Holly (his idol!) in the London production for two years. He went on to Only The Lonely at The Whitehall theatre, London and then played Kenickie in the 1st National tour of Grease, taking over the lead role of Danny Zuko when the show transferred to the Cambridge Theatre, London. After this, Alex played the role of Gaston in Disney's Beauty & The Beast at the Dominion Theatre, London.

A change of pace saw Alex in stockings and suspenders as Dr. Frank'n'Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. He then played another one of his singing idols, Dean Martin in The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas on the national tour. After a stint in Chicago at The Adelphi, London playing Billy Flynn, and tours of The Magnificent Musicals with Ruthie Henshall, Alex returned to Disney's Beauty & The Beast, this time playing the role of The Beast, before playing Dean Martin again in The Rat Pack at the then Strand Theatre, London.

Alex then joined the cast of We Will Rock You at The Dominion theatre which was to be his home for the next six years playing Khashoggi. During this time, Alex became a father to his beloved daughter Josie, after marrying his wife, Jo in Las Vegas! (as a life-long Elvis fan – where else?!)

A career highlight followed when he played Fred/Petruchio in Trevor Nunn's production of Kiss Me, Kate at Chichester and then The Old Vic theatre, London for which he received an Olivier nomination for Best Actor in a Musical.

Alex played Daryl Van Horne in Craig Revel Horwood's production of The Witches Of Eastwick at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury for which he received a TMA nomination for Best Actor and then went on to originate the role of Bob in Midsummer Songs at the New Wolsey theatre, Ipswich. He performed in his first ever pantomime in 2014 playing Captain Hook at the King's theatre, Glasgow with the much loved Greg McHugh.

His Annie journey began in 2015 when he played his dream role of Daddy Warbucks on the national tour for a year. He then did his second pantomime as Blackheart in Robinson Crusoe at Cliff's Pavilion, Southend with Gok Wan and Brian Conley.

In early 2017, Alex played Sam Carmichael in the national tour of Mamma Mia! just prior to the London and Toronto productions of Annie during 2017/18. Most recently he appeared as Lex Hogan in the new British musical, Eugenius at The Other Palace, London.

Over the years, Alex has been privileged to perform in numerous concerts and broadcasts including – Friday Night is Music Night for BBC Radio 2, A Night of a Thousand Voices at The Royal Albert Hall, "All About Bond" at The Henley Festival with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Kiss Me, Kate BBC Prom with the John Wilson Orchestra at The Royal Albert Hall for BBC2 and he was honoured to perform live at The Olivier Awards the year of his nomination.

Alex would like to thank all the amazing “Annies” he has worked with, for making this show so special.

Send us a text

From training as a 13 year old at Italia Conti school, Lee has had an illustrious career performing in theatre before becoming the successful multi award winning choreographer and director that he is now.

Lee has directed: Once on this Island (Southwark Playhouse); Eurovision (Iceland); Legally Blonde (Monaco)

Lee has choreographed: Ghost (Stuttgard, Germany); Fiddler on the Roof (Det nyt Teatre, Denmark);City of Angels (Royal Academy of Music); Once on this Island (Southwark Playhouse); Eurovision, (Iceland), Matilda (Reykjavik); The Rocky Horror Show (Reykjavik City Centre); Ghost (Stage Entertainment); Elf The Musical (Tivoli, Copenhagen); Sunset Boulevard (UK Tour); Legally Blonde (Opéra Garnier, Monaco); Ghost (Landestheater Linz); The Braille Legacy (Charing Cross Theatre); GHOST The Musical (original German speaking production) Linz, Austria and Berlin; RENT (UK tour); Harriet Martineau Dreams of Dancing (Live Theatre, Newcastle); Spring Awakening (Leicester Curve); Allegro (Southwark Playhouse); Grey Garden's (Southwark Playhouse); The Smallest Show on Earth (UK tour); Grand Hotel (Southwark Playhouse); The Wind in the Willows (Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre); The Producers (UK tour); Mamma Mia & Billy Elliot (Reykjavik City Theatre); Ghost The Musical (English Theatre Frankfurt); Post Office of Iceland (TV Commercial); Lottys War (UK tour), Revolution in the Elbow of Ragnar Agnarsson (Minetta Lane Theatre New York); Carousel (Arcola Theatre); HI Lo Joe (Movie); Tyne (Theatre Royal Newcastle/Custom House); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (Reyjavik City Theatre); Cooking With Elvis (Live Theatre, Newcastle); Olympia (Workshop/Jerwood Space); The Revenge Of Sherlock Holmes (Hoxton Hall, London); Mary Poppins (Reykjavik City Theatre); Boy Meets Boy (Jermyn Street Theatre); Victor Victoria (Southwark Playhouse); Our House (Peoples Theatre, Newcastle); Mack and Mabel (Southwark Playhouse); Utopia (Soho Theatre); Guys and Dolls (Upstairs at the Gatehouse); A Northern Odyssey (Live Theatre).
Resident Choreographer: Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace). 

His awards include: 2019 Griman Award for Best Choreographer for Matilda at Reykjavik City Theatre; 2017 International Best Achievement Recognition Award "Best Choreographer", 2017 TheOffWestEnd Award (Offie) "Best Choreographer" for Allegro at the Southwark Playhouse, 2016's "Best Choreographer" TheOffWestEnd Award (Offie) for Grand Hotel in London and Mack and Mabel. Lee co-directed Legally Blonde with Nikolai Foster.

Biography courtesy of Global Artists

Send us a text

Send us a text

Steven's television and film credits include: Jeff Cullen (Regular) in Coronation Street & Just Rosie (ITV), Ken Beasley (Regular) in Bernard’s Watch (Carlton), Gregg Blake (Regular) in London’s Burning (LWT), Ed Russell (Regular) in Bugs (Carnival / BBC), Captain Barker in The New adventures of Robin Hood (Warner Bros), Drew in Doctors (BBC), Scott Bridges in Holby City (BBC), Ex (Moonstone), Alive and Kicking (Film Four), Futures (Flick Films), Prisoners of Honour (Franco London Films).Theatre credits include Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (UK Tour), an Olivier nomination for his portrayal of Keith Nicholson in Spend Spend Spend (Piccadilly, Original Cast), Bob Wallace in White Christmas (Edinburgh Festival and The Lowry Manchester), Arnaud du Thil in Martin Guerre (Prince Edward, Original Cast), Adam Pontipee in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (National Tour), Chris in Miss Saigon (National Tour), Danny Zuko in Grease (National Tour), The Narrator in Blood Brothers (Phoenix), Alex in Desperately Seeking Susan (Novello, Original Cast), Curly in Oklahoma (Kilworth open air theatre), Munkustrap in Cats (New London), Pish Tush in The Hot Mikado (Queens, Original Cast), Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, (National Tour), Pat Denning in 42nd Street (Chichester Festival Theatre), Sebastian in The Thing About Men, (New Players), Pip in Great Expectations (National Tour), Arthur in Come Dancing (RNTS), Dave in Komb@ (RNTS), Simon in Friends Like Us (Arts), Lead in War Cabaret (Pleasance), Kiss Me Kate (National Tour), Moby Dick (Piccadilly, Original Cast), The Man in American Hot (Cafe de Paris), and Children of Eden (Prince Edward, Original Cast) 

His recording credits include “Wind Beneath My Wings”, a single produced by Simon Cowell, which sold 600,000 copies and reached number 3 in the UK singles chart. Also, Steven recorded his own album, which sold 200,000 and went straight to gold disc.

As well as his performing work, Steven is also the Artistic Director of ‘Excel Performing Arts’ in Hertfordshire. He has lectured all over the UK and has been an adjudicator for many dance festivals/competitions including the new ‘Champion of Champions’ festival. Most recently he has adjudicated ‘Miss Dance of Great Britain’ in Blackpool.  

Send us a text

Leon studied at Guildford School of Acting.

Leon's theatre credits include: Sandra Bollock - Everybodys talking about Jamie (Apollo Theatre) West End, Babkak/Cover Genie - Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre) West End, Audrey II (Voice of the plant) - Little Shop Of Horrors (Salisbury Playhouse & Mercury Theatre Colchester), Queen Of Hearts - Alice In Wonderland (UK tour), King Herod - Jesus Christ Superstar (Arena Tour UK & Australia), Rodney - My Big Gay Italian Wedding - (Greenwich Theatre), Melvin P Thorpe - The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (Union Theatre), Company - Myths And Hymns (Finborough Theatre), Sid/Inventor - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK tour), Montel/Jesus - Jerry Springer The Opera (Cambridge Theatre) West End, Chuck Brown - Over The Rainbow (UK Tour), Company - On The Shelf (Edinburgh Festival) and other roles in Exit Allan - (Sherman Theatre Cardiff).

On television Leon's credits include:  Ensemble - Jesus Christ Superstar Arena tour (Universal), Montel/Jesus - Jerry Springer The Opera (BBC2 & Avalon), a featured role in “Paddy Power Ball Of Shame” (Commercial) and a featured role - Nintendo Wii Fit (Commercial).

Pantomime credits include: Ugly Sister - Cinderella (New Wimbeldon Theatre), Director - Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs - (Forum Barrow), Director - Cinderella (Forum Barrow), Widow Twankey - Aladdin - (Derby Arena), Dame Jollena Jellychops - (Oxford Playhouse), Dame Doughnut - Dick Whittington (Oxford Playhouse), Sarah The Cook - Dick Whittington (Grove Theatre Dunstable), Dame Mary Trott - Jack And The Beanstalk (Broadway Theatre Catford), Dame Widow Twankey - (Lyceum Theatre Crewe), Dame Nanna Nora - Sleeping Beauty (Lyceum Theatre Crewe), Genie - Aladdin (Loughborough), Dame Daisy Dollop - Jack And The Beanstalk - (Wakefield Theatre Royal) and Sarah The Cook - Dick Whittington - (Cliffs Pavilion Southend - QDOS).

He was also the presenter Amadeus - Globalzoom Hair and Modelling show- (Vienna - Austria) and lead singer - Songs of Michael Jackson - MA Concerts (Warwick Castle).

Send us a text

Gary’s first West End role was that of Bill Snibson in the award winning Musical ‘Me And My Girl’ in 1989 (Adelphi Theatre).  A successful No.1 theatre tour of a new comedy, ‘Teething Troubles’ followed, both productions to critical acclaim. 

With direction by Simon Callow, Gary’s next role was that of Joe in the award winning ‘Carmen Jones’ (Old Vic). Gary then starred in the first sell out national tour of ‘Me And My Girl’ which earned him a best actor nomination.

He then went on to star in the world premier of the Barry Manilow musical ‘Copacabana’ at London’s Prince of Wales Theatre after which, he received a special invitation to recreate his role in ‘Me And My Girl’ for the final tour of this great show.

That same year he recorded a one-hour TV special for the BBC – ‘Showstoppers’ and was invited to record a further series of six TV spectaculars with the BBC Concert Orchestra and many national and international guest stars. He also starred in and directed a 160 date tour of ‘Showstoppers'.

In 1997 he created the role of Elliot Garfield in ‘The Goodbye Girl’ and in 1998 another successful characterisation of Fagin in the Cameron Mackintosh production of ‘Oliver’, touring through spring and summer 1999.

Gary spent a highly successful period at the Bristol Old Vic (and touring) in Willy Russell’s play ‘One For The Road’ and starred in the concert tour of ‘Music To Watch Girls By’ singing, in his own inimitable style. 

A No 1 tour of Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Confusions’, Bottom in The New Shakespeare Company to play  ‘A_Midsummer_Night’s_Dream’ (Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park) and the Pirate King in ‘Pirates of Penzance' and a performance in the national tour of Giles Havergal’s brilliant adaptation of the Graham Greene novel ‘Travels With My Aunt’.

Gary spent most of 2003/4 at The London Palladium, starring in the record breaking ‘Chitty_Chitty_Bang_Bang’ and ending the year with his own national concert tour ‘My-Kind_Of_Music’. 

In the summer, he was invited back to The Open Air Theatre to play Dauntless Dick Deadeye in ‘H.M.S_Pinafore’ and then starring in ‘Santa Claus the Musical’ at The Mayflower, Southampton in 2005. He was invited back to ‘Chitty_Chitty_Bang_Bang’ and the 2006 Christmas season saw him starring in ‘Peter Pan’ as Captain Hook.

A successful national tour of ‘Half_a Sixpence’ and the 2007 Christmas as the Scarecrow in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and then the Lion in The Festival Theatre's The Wizard of Oz in 2008, finally ending the year in Manchester as Smee in Peter Pan.

In 2009 Gary starred in the national tour of ‘Chicago’ in the role of Billy Flynn, the lawyer, ‘The Invisible Man’, at Chocolate Factory, the national tour of Lord Arthur Saville's Crime as Septimus Podgers and as the lead comic role in the national tour of  ‘Radio Times’. In 2013, he played Dame for the first time at the Birmingham Hippodrome and then a run of westend shows including, The Pajama Game, Dirty Rotten Scound

Send us a text

Joanne's background in professional & performance ballet, musical theatre and television provides her with unique expertise and credentials in the performing arts.

Born in Paignton, Devon where she attended the Pamela De Waal School of Dancing. From an early age she was performing professionally in pantomimes alongside the Carry On team and Freddie Davis. She trained at the Arts Educational School in London, going on to perform principal roles with the Dublin City Ballet Company in Ireland, namely Pas De Quatre, Les Slyphides and The Nutcracker, working with Lou Conte, Paula Hinton Gore and John Gilpin. Joanne also danced frequently with the Dublin Grand Opera in Carmen, La Traviata 

On her return to the UK, she performed in the Jim Davidson show playing the role of Cinderella before joining the original cast of 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Joanne went on to play the role of Phyllis Dale, understudy both Peggy Sawyer which she performed numerous times and Anytime Annie. She later went on to perform Peggy Sawyer on the first national tour and return season to the West End at the Dominion Theatre.

On television Joanne has appeared on the Royal Variety Performances of 1985 & 1986, A Royal Night of 100 Stars, Casualty, House of Elliott and Little Englanders to name a few. In film she has appeared in The Hawk and the James Bond movie Goldeneye.

Joanne's experience also encompasses choreography for pantomime & smaller revues and acting in corporate videos.

A scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dance led her into a teaching career and in 1995 she graduated with distinction from the Professional Dancers Teaching Course. Going on to teach at the Denise Windmill School of Dance, The London School of Mime, Diana Vere School of Dance, Corona Stage School, Centre Stage and Roehampton Institute.

Until recently she also taught at the RAD Dance School in London.Joanne also taught regular artistic enhancement classes alongside RAD Summer and Easter Schools both in England and abroad, Children’s Summer Classes, and numerous children’s workshops. She has also taught at MOVE IT for the RAD, Move 123 in Luxembourg and assisted Craig Bartley who choreographed the Finale for Dance Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

She has had the pleasure of teaching the ballet classes for the IDTA Classical Performance Awards and at the IDTA London Seminar. Joanne has also had the honour of adjudicating the IDTA Classical Performance Awards.

Joanne was selected to complete training to enable her to teach Sir Frederick Ashton workshops both for The Dream and La Fille Mal Gardee for the RAD which she did at RAD HQ

She continues to run her own ballet school in Surrey, now in its eighteenth year. She is also a licenced Silver Swan teacher.

In October 2018 Joanne became the Principal of the RAD Dance School at the headquarters in London.

Send us a text

Yay, we are one year old and this is our 52nd recording. 

We started this podcast with an initial taster intro on 6 May 2020 and our first episode, with Alan Burkitt, was on 10 May 2020. 

We are so excited that live performance will soon be happening again as we have all missed so dearly, so today we are taking some time to wish ourselves a very happy birthday and to welcome back to the stage all the performances that are about to reopen again this summer. 

So all you need to do is sit back, relax and listen in with us…

Send us a text

Helen Hobson boasts an impressive career in both Musical Theatre and TV. Following her debut in Chess in the West End she then joined the cast of Les Miserables. From there her leading lady roles include, Donna in Mamma Mia!, Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers, Clara in Stephen Sondheim’s award winning Passion, Cathy opposite Sir Cliff Richard’s Heathcliff, Eliza in My Fair Lady, Rose Vibert in Aspects of Love, Grizabella in Cats and Mrs Walker in Tommy.  She has just finished playing the role of Diane in Come From Away at the Phoenix theatre in the West End.

Helen has also played roles in EastEnders, The Bill, Where The Heart is, Rosemary & Thyme, Doctors, Judge John Deed and Heartbeat. She made her film debut in the award winning movie Lovelorn, winning Best Supporting Actress at the prestigious Los Angeles Reel Film Festival.

Helen has also performed with many orchestras around the world, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The NDR Orchestra, The London Pops Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Showbiz Pops Orchestra and The Kammerspiel Trio.

She has also just trained as a fitness professional and offers healthy eating advice, 1-2-1 coaching and online coaching. Follow her on Twitter @HealthyhelenNo1.

Send us a text

Claire trained at the Elliot Clarke Stage School in Liverpool and the Italia Conti Stage School in London. Her extensive acting work on television includes playing regular character Lindsay Corkhill in Brookside, the fiery Katrina in the award-winning drama Clocking Off, Lindsey Kendal in the popular BBC series Holby City, Roz in BBC1's hit drama Merseybeat, and Amanda in comedy drama Candy Cabs.

Claire's West End roles include Roxie Hart in Chicago and Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, playing opposite Patrick Swayze. Claire played the title role in Educating Rita alongside Matthew Kelly and Paulette in the UK tour of the award winning Legally Blonde. In 2011, she starred in a one-woman show Tell Me on A Sunday. Other theatre credits include White Christmas, Shout!, Fosse (World Tour), The Play Wot I Wrote, and the UK Tour of John Godber’s September in the Rain, alongside John Thomson. She has also performed duets with International Opera stars Bryn Terfel and Jose Carreras at The Royal Albert Hall, and headlined the Lytham Proms Festival.

As a television presenter, Claire authored the one-hour ITV primetime documentary Claire Sweeney: My Big Fat Diet. She presented four series of 60 Minute Makeover(ITV1) and hosted Saturday night shows Here Comes the Sun (BBC1) and Challenge of a Lifetime (ITV1). Claire presented three live specials of I'm Famous and Frightened for Living TV. She appeared in the first and most successful series of Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother, was a regular panellist on Loose Women, appeared on Celebrity Come Dine With Me, and was a contestant on the first ever series of Strictly Come Dancing. Claire has also enjoyed taking part in The Royal Variety Show and BBC1's primetime Saturday night series Let's Dance for Comic Relief, in which she made it to the finals.

Claire has entertained British Troops abroad, and was the first entertainer to visit the troops in Afghanistan and Oman. She was delighted and honoured to perform at A Party To Remember broadcast live on BBC1 from Trafalgar Square to celebrate VE Day and sang live at The Royal Albert Hall for VE Day as well as performing live to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in the presence of HM the Queen. Claire is an Ambassador for the Variety Club and was the leading force in raising one million pounds to build a new wing for Claire House as part of the Sparkling Star Campaign. Over the years Claire has made several trips to Africa for her Aids charity work, a cause she holds close to her heart.

Claire's solo album, simply entitled Claire, reached the top 5 of the UK charts. In 2010, Claire performed in a series of concerts entitled Battle Of Britain - 70th Anniversary with three of the country's finest orchestras.

She was recently seen in the BBC1 comedy Scarborough, staring alongside Jason Manford, Stephanie Cole and Catherine Tyldesley playing Maneater Hayley Coxand has also recently played Shirley Valentine onstage, Willy Russel’s one-woman play directed by Ian Talbot OBE.

She also starred as Irene Roth in Crazy For You, Baroness Bomburst in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray (all on National Tour). Prior to these, Claire toured in the hit show Sex In Suburbia, which she co-wrote, following its hugely successful run at the Royal Court Liverpool. She recently guest starred as Maxine in the hit ITV comedy Benidorm, was special guest on Jane and Friends, and hosts her very own weekly musical theatre-themed show on Magic

Send us a text

Sally Ann Triplett is a British singer and actress and is one of only four singers to have sung for the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, first in 1980 as the lead female vocals of the six-piece band Prima Donna and then two years later as part of a double act Bardo.

Her first West End appearance was in The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Subsequent West End productions include Margie and Young Phylis in Follies at the Shaftesbury, Chess at the Prince Edward Theatre, Rizzo in Grease at the Dominion Theatre and Ruby Keeler opposite Brian Conley in Jolson at the Victoria Palace Theatre and then Toronto, as Grizabella in Cats at the New London Theatre, Mrs Big in The Villain's Opera at the Royal National Theatre and, more recently, as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes at the Royal National Theatre and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, directed by Trevor Nunn, as Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre, as Miss Berta in Acorn Antiques - The Musical at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket and as Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls at the Picadilly Theatre. Sally Ann also appeared in the world premiere of Take Flight at The Menier Chocolate Factory, playing Amelia Earhart. 

Other stage appearances include Jubilee at Her Majesty's, a Judy Garland tribute concert at the London Palladium, Jill Kemp in Mister Cinders at the King's Head, Lady Evelyn in the workshop premiere of a new Stiles and Drewe musical Tutankhamun at Imagination, Lucy in Snoopy at the Watermill Newbury, Nancy in Oliver! at the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester and Rebecca Hershkowitz in Rags at the Bridewell Theatre. 

Sally Ann starred in Phil Wilmott's production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Liverpool Empire. Shakespeare's classic battle of the sexes had been transported to wartime London, where Sal played the feisty Beatrice (played by Emma Thompson in Kenneth Branagh's movie adaptation), she also appeared in the review Make Me A Song, based on the works of William Finn and as Marge in Absent Friends at the Watford Theatre. 

More recently Sal has appeared as Donna in Mamma Mia! at the Prince Edward Theatre, as Maria Merelli in Lend Me A Tenor at The Theatre Royal, Plymouth and Mistress Page in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor at Stafford Castle. Sal has played Diana in the Drama Centre Theatre's production of Next To Normal in Singapore and, between 2012 and 2015, Sal has created the roles of Lauren in Viva Forever at the Picadilly Theatre, Judy/Liza in My Judy Garland Life at the Nottingham Playhouse, Peggy White in The Last Ship at The Bank of America Theatre, Chicago (later transferring to The Neil Simon Theatre, New York) and Billie Dore in the 2015 Chichester Festival Theatre production of A Damsel In Distress.

On television Sally Ann appeared in the award-winning short film The Fishing Trip and played one of the leading roles in Magic, a six-part drama series set in Hamburg. Her recent TV appearances include Doctors, Down to Earth and EastEnders, all for the BBC.

For more information see www.sallyanntriplett-official.com

Send us a text

 John made his West End Debut at the age of 12 in Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver’ at the Albery Theatre. 

His theatre credits include: Bull Connor in King The Musical (Hackney Empire, 2018), Lionel Bart in The Story of Bart (Tour 2018 & Mirth, Maud & Marvel -2017 & The Hippodrome 2014), Barry Bronze in Rehab - A New Musical (The Union Theatre – 2017), Uncle Ernie in The Who’s Tommy (Greenwich Theatre), Principal Singer in Rhythm of Life (The St. James Theatre, Studio), Fogg in Sweeney Todd (ENO), Ed Kleban in A Class Act (The Landor Theatre) for which he was nominated for Best Male Performance at the Offie Awards and Broadwayworld.com 2013/14, Tateh in Ragtime (The Landor Theatre), Charles Guiteau in Sondheim's Assassins (The Union Theatre) for which he was nominated for Best Male Performance at the Offie Awards 2010, Greta in Martin Sherman's Bent (The Landor Theatre), Maisie in Diamond (The Kings Head Theatre), Dr. Thomas Parker in Batboy the Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre), Ragtime (Piccadilly Theatre), Original Cast Member of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspect of Love (Prince of Wales Theatre), Hey, Mr Producer (Lyceum Theatre), Feuilly in Les Miserables (Palace Theatre). Red Bishop & Gran/Wolf in The Boy Who Fell into a Book-Written & Directed by Alan Ayckbourn (The Stephen Joseph Theatre), Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray (Curve Theatre, Leicester - 2014), Amos Hart in Chicago (The Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur), Skimbleshanks in Cats (Larnaca Municipal Amphitheatre, Cyprus), David in Company (Derby Playhouse), Koko in The Mikado and Njegus in The Merry Widow (both for Opera Della Luna), Harry in Flora The Red Menace and Snoopy in Snoopy The Musical (both at The Cambridge Arts Theatre), Cliff in In The Midnight Hour (York Theatre Royal), Che in Evita (Opera House, Manchester), and Tobias Ragg in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd (Watermill Theatre, Newbury).

In film he has appeared as Convict 5 in Les Miserables – The Movie (2012) Directed by Tom Hooper, Kenny Star in The Catch (Primley Road Productions 2013), and Do Not Disturb – Shut Eye (2017).  and TV includes Taboo (BBC-2016) The Bill (ITV), The Purple People Eater (Dramarama Series-ITV) Pebble Mill at One (BBC1), The 1987 Royal Variety Show (ITV), and Wednesday at Eight (Thames TV)

John has also performed his own Cabaret shows on the QE2 and in some of the most prestigious cabaret venues all over the world, including London, New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Washington D.C, Chicago, Sydney, Venice, Switzerland, and Denmark.

His panto credits include: Dame Nanny Fanny in Robin Hood (Queens Theatre, Hornchurch) 2019/20, Dame Dotty in Jack & The Beanstalk (Queens Theatre, Hornchurch) 2018/19, King Rat in Dick Whittington (The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury) Winner of Best Pantomime Villain of the Year – 2016/17, Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington (Ferneham Hall), King Rat in Dick Whittington (Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield), Widow Twankey in Aladdin (Milton Keynes Theatre), Dandini in Cinderella (Capitol Theatre, Horsham), Ugly Sister in Cinderella (Churchill Theatre, Bromley), Ugly Sister in Cinderella (Richmond Theatre), Snowman in Jack & The Beanstalk (Hackney Empire), Josh the Jester in Sleeping Beauty (The Paul Robeson Theatre), Jack in Jack & The Beanstalk (Greenwich Theatre), Dame ‘Debut’ Christabel Crusoe in Robinson Crusoe (Corn Exchange, Newbury), Buttons in Cinderella (Corn Exchange, Newbury), Aladdin in Aladdin (Eden Court Theatre, Inverness), Slap in Mother Goose (Horsham Arts C

Send us a text

Helen's started her career with a work placement at the Royal Exchange theatre in Manchester and since then she has gone on to work full-time in the professions.

She has had a long working relationship with Cameron Mackintosh supervising the hair and make up for My Fair Lady, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera in the UK and internationally, including productions in the USA, Korea and Spain.

She has also been part of Mary Poppins for over 10 years with productions in the UK, Vienna, Stuttgart and now Japan. Worked on Broadway on numerous occasions and has spent a lot of time at The Old Vic in London.

Theatre work credits include: Company, Oliver, Girl from the North Country, Groundhog Day, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cats, Starlight Express, Guys and Dolls, We Will Rock You, Hairspray, Matilda, Wicked, Only Fools and Horses, La Cage aux Folles, Merrily We Roll Along, a Christmas Carol, Present Laughter, Long Days Journey Into Night, The Glass Menagerie, Hallelujah, Blithe Spirit and Breakfast at Tiffanys.

Send us a text

Kim's  career has taken her from Broadway to the West End to the international concert stage, resulting in a most unusual career path unmatched by any other singer. She continues to specialize in musical theatre, bringing the classic American songbook to leading music venues across the world, both in symphony settings and recital.  She has sung at La Scala in Milan, La Fenice in Venice, the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, the Accademia Nazionale Santa Cecilia in Rome, the Théâtre du Châtelet and the Opéra Comique in Paris, Concertgebauw in Amsterdam, Carnegie (Weill) Recital Hall in New York, the Musikverein, Konzerthaus and Volksoper in Vienna, the Berliner Philharmonie, the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon, the Snape Maltings Concert Hall in Aldeburgh, and the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, not to mention multiple appearances in London at the Wigmore Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican, the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Purcell Rooms, Cadogan Hall, and the Linbury Studios at the Royal Opera House, and elsewhere, from Reykjavik, Helsinki, Leipzig and Kaiserslautern, to Athens, Essen, Gothenburg and Bremen, to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Hong Kong, Malta, Montpellier, and Moscow, giving her a unique platform among interpreters of the musical theatre repertoire.

She has had the pleasure of singing with many of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras, ranging from the Berlin Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestras conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, with whom she has recorded Leonard Bernstein’s Wonderful Town in a version that then was repeated as a BBC Proms concert, and as the New Year’s Eve Gala in Berlin, to the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia and London Sinfonietta, the Liverpool Philharmonic, the Northern Sinfonia, the Leipzig Gewandhaus, the Orchestre National de Lyon, the Orchestre de Picardie, the Orchestra della Toscana, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the Toronto and Winnipeg Symphonies, and many, many more. 

Kim has formed several lasting musical partnerships over the years, leading to both concert and recording opportunities. Conductor/music historian John McGlinn brought her to EMI Classics, which led to several recordings and a personal recording contract, as well as many symphony concerts across America and Europe. With conductor John Wilson, she has explored the world of film music across the UK in concert, including the very popular MGM and Rodgers and Hammerstein Proms concerts, and several solo evenings. Her ongoing recital partnership with conductor/pianist Wayne Marshall has taken the pair to many of the great concert venues in Europe, both as recitalists and in full symphony settings.  Other conductors she has appeared with include Kristjan Jarvi, , Leonard Slatkin, Marin Alsop, Yutaka Sado, Keith Lockhart, Ulf Schirmer, John Axelrod, Kevin Farrell, Carl Davis and Richard Hickox, to name a few.

Critically acclaimed for playing “Annie Oakley” in Annie Get Your Gun at London’s Prince of Wales Theatre, for which she earned a Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical, and for her role as “The Old Lady” in Robert Carsen’s productions of Candide at La Scala and the Théâtre du Châtelet, she has also won a Helen Hayes Award for her work in Side by Side by Sondheim. She also starred as “Sally Adams” in Call Me Madam at the Goodspeed Opera House, singing the role of “The Old Lady” in Candide at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, and co-starring with Joseph Fiennes and Charles Edwards in Happy Days in the Art World at NYU’s Skirball Center in New York.

Kim’s Broadway credits include starring as “Lucy”, opposite Sting, in the 3 Penny Opera directed by John Dexter, and appearing in the original Broadway cast of 1982 Best Musical Tony winner Nine, first as Francesca, then taking over

Send us a text

Daniel won a Cameron Mackintosh scholarship to study at the Guildford School of Acting, where he graduated with a BA (Honours) in 2001. He was selected to perform in the first UK tour of Jonathan Larson's Rent, which meant leaving college early. He understudied the characters of Mark (played by Adam Rickitt) and Angel, eventually taking over the role of Mark, performing on alternate nights at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London's West End. In 2002, he played Morino in the UK tour of Sunset Boulevard, which starred Faith Brown. Boys also appeared as Roger, one of the T-birds, in Grease at the Victoria Palace. He also went on the touring production to Japan, and playing the role of Doody in Scandinavia and Cyprus. Daniel was also a soloist in Disney's Enchanted Evening (a series of UK concerts in 2004), of which the final concert was televised on BBC1 as the BBC Family Prom in the Park.

In 2005, Boys took part in BBC London's Children in Need – The Musical. He also performed at Party in the Park with the company of Grease. Guest TV appearances with Grease also included Blue Peter and The Graham Norton Show. His other early theatre credits include; Austin in I Love You Because (Landor in 2007), Anthony in Sweeney Todd (Royal Festival Hall in 2007), Mark in Rent (European Tour in 2006) and Parson Nathaniel (u/s) in Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds (National Tour in 2007). He also understudied all male roles. He can be seen on the live tour DVD special features, performing in place of Russell Watson in the dress rehearsal.

In 2007 he participated in the BBC reality show Any Dream Will Do and was the 7th contestant to be eliminated from the series. During the series, the judges tested his vocal skills on a wide variety of music genres including rock, swing, ballads, and pop. His only opportunity to sing a musical theatre number was during a sing-off, in which he performed "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables against Lewis Bradley.

Daniel has appeared as Anthony Hope in Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street which was one of the first shows to open at the newly restored Royal Festival Hall and in late 2008, he joined the cast of the hit show Avenue Q and played the lead roles of Princeton and Rod and won the "What's on Stage Theatregoers Choice Award" for "Best Takeover in a Role" for his performance.

Daniel has performed at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th birthday concert in Hyde Park, appeared on the BBC programme "Songs of Praise" and toured with John Barrowman on his Music Music Music tour. On 6 December 2009, Boys performed with fellow artists in "Christmas in New York" at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Among his songs were "Ave Maria" and "Winter Wonderland".

In 2009 Daniel's debut solo album So Close was released and he embarked on a series of solo concerts performing at venues such as Leicester Square Theatre, the Delfont Room in the Prince of Wales Theatre, Wilton Music Hall, Greenwich Theatre and three sold-out performances at Pizza on the Park (Jazz Club), London. He made his American debut with the show when he performed at Show at Barre (Los Angeles), supported by Broadway actress Megan Hilty, and in Australia he played at both Sydney and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival alongside acts such as Olivia Newton-John and Chita Rivera.

In February 2010, Boys performed with Jessie Buckley in two concerts in Manchester and Birmingham entitled "Valentines at the Musicals" including songs from West Side Story and My Fair Lady'.

See here for further career credits

Send us a text

Kevin Bishop is a best known as a director and producer for the BBC Entertainment, working on shows staring for Victoria Wood (1989), and French and Saunders (1987)

He started out as an associate producer for Candid Camera from 1974 before moving to director for shows such as 'Wogan', 'The Kenny Everett Television Show', 'the Paul Daniels Magic Show', 'French and Saunder's. In the late 80s he produced and directed the 'Les Dennis  Laughter Show' and 'Michael Barrymore's Saturday Night Out'. 

In the 1990s onwards, he produced and directed many Royal Variety Performances as well as working with Rory Bremner, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. He also worked on many tribute shows for stars such as Bob Monkhouse and Bruce Forsyth and was director and producer for the highly successful 'Showstoppers'.

He was also executive producer for the 'A Song for Europe' and the 'Eurovision Song Contest' from 1995 until  2001.

Send us a text

Carole's work as director/choreographer in the West End, includes: Dancing in the Streets (Cambridge, Savoy and Playhouse); Santa’s Christmas Adventure  (Ambassadors); Gyles Brandreth’s Zipp! (Duchess); Girls Night Out (Victoria Palace); Elvis the Musical (Astoria, Prince of Wales and Piccadilly); Return to the Forbidden Planet (Cambridge); Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey (Lyric); Lily Savage in Snow White (Victoria Palace); Tribute to the Blues Brothers (Whitehall); Jack to a King (Ambassadors); The Pocket Dream (Albery); James and the Giant Peach (Sadler’s Wells); The Rivals (Boulevard); Wild Oats (National); La Cenerentola (Royal Opera House); various Gilbert and Sullivan operas (Sadler’s Wells and Savoy) and as Resident Director: Hello, Dolly! (Drury Lane); Peggy Sue Got Married (Shaftesbury); plus many galas and concerts at the Palladium, Prince Edward, Strand, Savoy and Drury Lane including: The Ken Dodd Show, Jerry Herman’s Broadway, with Angela Lansbury and Bill Kenwright’s Any Dream Will Do concert, with eight Josephs, all at the Palladium. Also 14 productions at Above the Stag in London – the only professional LGBT fringe theatre in the UK

Worldwide includes: The Mikado in Brisbane, Sydney and LA; Elvis the Musical in Vancouver and Sydney; Dancing in the Streets in North America and Canada. Starlight Express in Japan and Australia plus countless trade shows from Iceland to the Bahamas and many musicals directed on Cruise Ships from Norway to Western Samoa.

She has directed/choreographed varied straight productions in UK, ranging from Peter Terson’s Strippers to Agatha Christie’s only comedy, Afternoon at the Seaside, and has worked on many Kenwright productions, including Can’t Smile Without You – the UK tour based on Barry Manilow’s music , Laughter in the Rain with the music of Neil Sedaka, Ferry Cross the Mersey , Simply the Best ( Tina Turner), Jesus Christ Superstar,  This is Elvis , Elvis the Musical  and the UK hit tour Cilla the Musical. She was with the Dreamboats creative team for all three titles on both the UK tours and at the Savoy and the Playhouse in London.

Television/film work includes: Stravinsky’s Renard the Fox, Lenny Beige, Morecambe and Wise and Prick Up Your Ears.

She also writes and devises compilation shows and acts for various artistes and gives occasional Tales of Toddography talks in aid of the Guide Dogs for the Blind. She enjoys living in Brighton – when she gets the chance – and is honoured to be a patron of The Brighton Academy.

Send us a text

Steve is an ex rugby playing welsh tenor, with a BA (Hons) Performance Art Degree specialising in choreography from Middlesex University. Most recently Director of Musical Theatre at Birmingham Ormiston Academy. 

Performing highlights Mr Braithwaite in the original cast of Billy Elliot, Frank Shultz in Show Boat at the Royal Albert Hall and The Beadle in Sweeney Todd at the Royal Festival Hall. As the  presenter and choreographer of the  BBC 2 award winning documentary  Our Dancing Town, he saw  four towns in Yorkshire, coming to together, celebrating the power of community through dance. 

Choreographic credits includes The Beggar’s Opera (Royal Opera House),  Ariadne auf Naxos (Garsington Opera Festival and Den Norske Opera, Oslo),  Orpheus in the Underworld (Royal Academy of Music),  La Rondine (Opera Holland Park) and The Mikado (Scottish Opera).  

Teaching and choreographic credits include MA Music Theatre at Royal Central School of Speech,  Mountview Academy of the Arts,  Music Theatre Academy, National Youth Music Theatre, Youth Music Theatre UK, Chichester Festival Theatre Youth Company and Belfast based Music Theatre 4 Youth. 

Steve is the patron of Dance Syndrome and The London Ballet Company and the recipient of the ‘Acting for Others’ bursary from Dancer Career Development 

Recent credits include: Choreographer for ‘Save the Cinema’ Film  starring Samatha Morton, Johnathon Price, Choreographer La Traviata and Un Ballo In Maschera: Opera Holland Park Dancer:  Paddington Bear 2.

Directing credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, The Drowsy Chaperone, Little Women (BOA), The Famous Farter (Welsh Millennium Centre), Something Old, Something New, (The Musical Academy, London) Whistle Down the Wind (Taylor and Labey), The Addams Family and Evita, Carmarthen Youth Opera. *Cuckoo’s Nest (Lost Theatre), Oliver!, The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe, Peter Pan, (Chichester Festival Theatre), God of Carnage (Manchester), Diary of a Nobody (Jerwood Space), Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore Carl Rosa Opera (Australia and US Tour) Mind the Gap (Canal Cafe), Nine and Pajama Game (Arts Educational).

Choreographic credits include: The Mikado, Scottish Opera,*Silly Kings, National Theatre of Wales, *Pirates of Penzance, Scottish Opera and D’Oyly Carte, Gioielli della Madonna (Holland Park), Yeoman of the Guard, Iolanthe (BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall), Ariadne auf Naxos and Mirandolina (Garsington Opera), Ariadne auf Naxos (Den Norske Opera, Oslo), The Beggar’s Opera (Royal Opera House,Linbury Theatre), Carl Rosas’ Gilbert and Sullivan season 2007 at the Gielgud Theatre, The Amazing Chinese Conjuror (Almeida Opera), The Merry Widow (UK/South Africa), Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore Carl Rosa  ( UK/USA), Dr Faustus (Chichester Festival Theatre), SwanSong (National Theatre Studio), The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds), Nunsense (Bridewell Theatre), Into the Woods, Dearly Beloved, The Rose and the Ring (Rose Bruford University), Sing Sherman Sing (Soho Theatre), La Bond (The Talk of London). 

Awards:
* Our Dancing Town, Winner RTS Best Reality Document
* Cuckoo’s Nest, Winner of New Musical Festival at the Lost Theatre.
*Silly Kings, Welsh Theatre Critic Awards for Best Young People Production
*Pirates of Penzance, Manchester Theatre Critic Awards Nomination for Best Touring Production.

Send us a text

What are a young persons perspective of dance and performing arts, what are their goals, dreams and aspirations and how is dance adding to their well being and confidence?

In this podcast, Craig interviews a few of the young pupils who are training for their end of year presentation at his mum's school, the Jackie Lynn Dance Studios which has been in operation 62 years this year. 

Send us a text

Ryan has worked in every area of the entertainment industry, most recently as creative director working with the government to represent the UK for British National Day at the Milan Expo 2015. He has worked with the biggest creatives in the world including; Matthew Bourne, Arlene Philips, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Joel Schumacher, Peter Darling, Richard Marcel. He has also shared the stage with stars such as; Kerry Ellis, Idina Menzal, Adam Cooper, Miriam Margolyes, and Adam Garcia.

Ryan has worked for Simon Cowell – SYCO entertainment as a talent scout for Britain’s got talent and a new BBC show, The Greatest Dancer.

The only teacher in the world to have taught the dancers from the hit US T.V show Dance Moms for Abby Lee Miller and UK for Jennifer Ellison.

Most notably known for appearing as a finalist in the top 20 of series 2, So You Think You Can Dance and Got to Dance, before this he had a flourishing career in London’s West End but not before gaining his first job at 19 in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake. Ryan was appointed as Dance Captain for Grease The Musical UK and European Tour, choreographed by Arlene Philips. Original London cast of Wicked, for ENO (English National Opera) - Kismet, London Coliseum, Cabaret, Lyric theatre, by Javier de Fructos. Featured dancer – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera the movie, directed by Joel Schumacher and choreographed by Peter Darling.

He has also worked as a choreographer with the Lebanese and Vietnamese Governments to introduce Musical Theatre to their countries and working alongside an 80 piece Orchestra and their biggest pop star, Duc Tuan.

Founder of ID-Company – A dance examination board offering a syllabus in Contemporary and Street Dance styles with a revolutionary new teacher training programme that manages over 300 schools throughout Europe and supported by many of the UK’s leading dance colleges – www.iD-Company.co.uk

He is fast becoming one of the country’s most sought after choreographers creating in theatre, T.V, film, live events, cruise’s, pop videos to teaching at some the top dance colleges in the United Kingdom and many dance schools nationwide. Ryan has gained extensive knowledge about the needs and wants for the ever-changing world of show biz.

He is artistic director for Prince Charming events working with and covered by Fashion T.V and OK! magazine. Creative director for Celebrity Gleex, a cast of ex reality T.V stars from, X-factor, Grease is the Word, SYTYCD as support act for Peter Andre and Lulu performing to crowds of 10,000 people.

Choreographer credits include: Mt4uth, channels 5 Don’t Stop Believing, Shine TV, G*Mania,  London Fashion Week shows,  Bloodbath musical Edinburgh, Ripper musical directed by Vernon Mound, Anthology for Irish composer Conor Mitchell. Annie Get Your Gun, market place theatre, Ireland, Godspell Grand Opera House, Belfast and Rose Theatre, Kingston, London. Fashion Victim musical at London Cinema museum. Two cruise productions for 2entertain and Scandinavia. Assistant choreographer for Michael Flatley and Molly Molloy stadium tour Celtic tiger.

Ryan is an international judge/adjudicator for Encore events, Dance show live, Disney camp and many established UK dance festivals.

He is a patron to Starlight Dance Academy and creative consultant to many dance companies.

Ryan actively works, giving his time to create or teach for many charity’s including, Music theatre for Youth, Ireland, Autism got Talent with Pineapple Performing Arts, Prince’s trust, London Taxi drivers fund for children and many smaller local fundraisers.

For more information please visit

Send us a text

Terry started dancing aged 6, won a 5 year scholarship to the RAD aged 10. He attended the Royal Ballet’s Upper School, joining the Royal Ballet at age 18.  To expand his character work, he joined London’s Festival Ballet (now ENB) as a soloist, playing roles such as, Dr Coppelius in Coppelia, Sancho Panza in Don Quixote and The Headmistress in Graduation Ball. Terry left the ballet world to explore other artistic genres, and performed in musicals in London’s West End, in Film and on TV.

On retiring from performing, Terry set up as a Business Manager for people in show business. His clients included a number of well-known performers and many ‘jobbing’ dancers, singer and actors.  On selling the business 15 years later, and inspired by the realization that many of the people he’d worked with also sought his advice on personal issues, he retrained as a psychotherapist attaining a Masters Degree in Psychotherapy & Healing Practice validated by Middlesex University in 2012.

After working with an ex-ballet dancer suffering with bipolar disorder, Terry recognized that there was a very special niche that he could fill within the world of dance. He’s now combined his two passions, dance and psychotherapy bringing his ‘insider knowledge’ about life as a dancer into the realm of counselling. He founded www.counsellingfordancers.com in 2017 and has been working to support the unique needs of dancers in relation to their mental health ever since.  In 2021 Terry created the Help4Dancers App which can be downloaded for free from the Apple store.

Terry presents interactive Mental Health Self-Care Workshops for Dancers both in person and virtually.  These proactive workshops are to help support dancers’ mental wellbeing, teaching them resilience and how to be mentally fit and emotionally strong.

He now offers one to one therapy sessions available via video-link worldwide.

Send us a text

Adam Blanshay Productions is a London based theatre production company which produces, co-produces and manages a wide range of plays, musicals, comedies, digital content, and live event theatre across the UK, West End, Broadway and Australia. 
 
Produced over 60 productions worldwide. Winner of six Tony Awards, eight Olivier Awards, and one Helpmann Award. Adam is a 2023 EMBA Candidate of Saïd Business School, and received The Linbury Scholarship for his studies.
 
Current productions include:  Pippin (Charing Cross Theatre), The Theatre Channel (webseries), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (West End), Moulin Rouge! (Broadway, West End, US Tour, Melbourne), Notre Dame de Paris (David H. Koch Theatre, Lincoln Center), Come From Away (West End, Broadway, Toronto, North America, Australia).
 
Recent productions include: La Cage aux Folles [The Play] (Park Theatre), What’s In A Name? (UK Tour), City of Angels (West End), Waitress (West End), Lucie Jones-Live at the Adelphi, The Inheritance (Broadway), Kinky Boots (UK Tour) Fiddler On The Roof (Menier & West End), Network (Broadway), Edmond de Bergerac (Birmingham Repertory Theatre & UK Tour), Intra Muros (Park Theatre), Notre Dame de Paris (London Coliseum), Consent (West End), Angels In America (Broadway), The Color Purple (US Tour).
 
Full biography: www.adamblanshay.com | Social Media: @AdamBlanshayPro

Send us a text

A short personal viewpoint on current procedure from Craig on theatres opening up.

Send us a text

Charlotte trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts. 

Theatre credits include; Alex Owens in Flashdance (International Tour) Tina Sparkle in Strictly Ballroom (Piccadilly Theatre London, The West Yorkshire Playhouse and The Princess of Wales Theatre Toronto) Dale Tremont in Top Hat (Aldwych Theatre London and UK Tour), Penny Johnson in Dirty Dancing (First-ever National Tour, West End revival at The Piccadilly Theatre London and the original German production at The Theater am Postdamer Platz Berlin), Margot in Legally Blonde (Deaugu Opera House, Korea) Bombalurina in CATS (European Tour) Patty Simcox and also understudying/playing Sandy in Grease (UK Tour), The Golden Age Of Dance (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) Fly With The Stars (London Palladium), Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre, London),

Television credits include; Strictly Come Dancing (BBC), Len Goodman’s For the Love of Fred Astaire (ITV), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), All Star Musicals (ITV), Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV) and Children in Need (BBC).

When not performing Charlotte teaches dance at some of the countries leading Performing Arts Colleges including Guildford School of Acting, London Studio Centre, Central School of Ballet and The International College of Musical Theatre.

www.charlottegooch.com

Send us a text

Craig is live from the Ibstock Novice Festival in Leicester this week, talking to a past student from Starquest Performers College, some of the young competitors and also owners of some of the school that have entered.

Send us a text

In this week's podcast, Craig looks back at some of his guests who helped make season 3 and he also looks to the future and highlights some of the great shows that have just opened or are due to open this year. He also highlights Amelie which he saw and loved and he shares his delight of this production with his listeners. 

Enjoy and we look forward to brining you a whole new set of guests for season 4.

Send us a text

Acclaimed entertainer Hilary O’Neil has become renowned for her laugh-out-loud comedy and her incredible impressions. 

Starting out as a dancer with Ken Dodd at the London Palladium, she quickly moved on to join close harmony group “Stutz Bear Cats”, before leaving to pursue a solo career. She has worked all over the world and with such household names as Hale & Pace, Jim Davidson, Brian Conley, Bobby Davro, Joe Longthorne, Richard Digance, Freddie Starr and Joe Pasquale. 

As well as the Palladium, her West End appearances have included “Acorn Antiques”, Directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, in which, as well as playing several roles, she understudied both Dame Julie Walters and Celia Imrie; “Summer Holiday”, “Shout” and “Animal Crackers” at The Lyric. 

She has also appeared many times on TV. Hilary is currently touring the UK with “Menopause the Musical” and will return to plying her trade upon the high seas later in the year, performing on some of the world’s greatest Cruise Liners including P&O’s Aurora and Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2.

Send us a text

Kevin Wilson Public Relations is a small boutique West End PR agency that punches BIG!

Kevin Wilson has a journalist’s instinct for a great story and how to sell it in a rapidly changing media landscape. An award-winning publicist (West End Publicist of the Year – Fringe Report Awards) he moved into PR 26 years ago after 18 years as a print journalist working in London and Hollywood. He launched Kevin Wilson Public Relations in 1995 and since then he has worked constantly in the West End, representing some of the biggest and most successful productions, including Thriller Live (for 11 years at the Lyric theatre), SIX the musical, The Kite Runner, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, the UK premiere of the Broadway production of Green Day's American Idiot, long-runners The 39 Steps, Avenue Q, The Rocky Horror Show, The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas, Debbie Reynolds – Alive and Fabulous, and Joan Rivers' A Work in Progress By a Life in Progress.

KWPR stages more than 70 press nights a year, oversees several major national tours and represents one-off events including The Critics Circle Awards and the annual charity gala, West End Eurovision. Pre-Covid, 2020 would have seen KWPR celebrating our 20th year as one of the top agencies working at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

KWPR is also one of the most sought after agencies working on the London Fringe where our productions in 2019 received more than 30 Off West End Awards Offie nominations.

KWPR has also provided PR support to major celebrities, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta, Patti LuPone, Joan Collins, Joan Rivers, Sandra Bernhard, Roseanne Barr, Glen Campbell, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Leguizamo and Eatha Kitt.

Send us a text

Robbie trained in Brisbane, Australia and made his debut in the Australian version of So You Think You Can Dance for television. From there he performed with the Paris Opera Ballet as part of their Australian tour. He was part of the Expressions Dance Company in Brisbane before performing on a number of cruise ships including Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

After moving to the UK, he went on to perform in shows such as the international tour of Cats  playing Mistoffelees, the UK, Ireland and Turkey tour of Strauss, Chess at the London Coliseum, the UK, Ireland and Swiss tour of Flashdance, White Christmas at the Leicester Curve, Guys and Dolls at the Theatre Marigny, Paris.

He reprised his role as Mistoffelees in Cats at Kilworth House in 2019–2020 and also performed again in White Christmas, this time at the Dominion theatre in London's West End.

Robbie is currently appearing with Sutton Foster, Robert Lindsay, Felicity Kendall and Gary Wilmot in Anything Goes at the Barbican Theatre in London.

Send us a text

Javier De Frutos, Spanish Director, Choreographer and designer (born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1963) was named by the Evening Standard as one of 2016 most influential people in the UK. He is one of only three artists in the history of the Olivier Awards to have received nominations in all of the dance categories. His awards include the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreography for Cabaret, The Evening Standard Award for The Most Incredible Thing in collaboration with Pet Shop Boys, Critics’ Circle Awards for Milagros with Royal New Zealand Ballet and Elsa Canasta with Rambert and Scottish Ballet, The South Bank Show Award for Grass and The Time Out Award for Sour Milk with Candoco Dance Company. Further credits include the National Theatre production of London Road - winner of the Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and for which he received an Olivier nomination for the stage version and The 2017 Chita Rivera Award for best choreography in a feature film for the screen adaptation. His work Fiction for BalletBoyz was named Best of Dance by The Arts Desk and Top 10 by the Guardian in 2016.   From Here to Eternity, the Tim Rice musical which he premiered on the West End, was nominated for the WhatsOnStage award for Best Choreography and The Anatomy of a Passing Cloud for Royal New Zealand Ballet was nominated for both an Olivier Award and a National Dance Award.

He has received further recognition in the field of music video with a nomination for best choreography in the UK music Video awards for his collaboration with Jake Nava in Delilah’s Inside My Love and also received the Prix de Auteur in the 1996 Concours de Seine-Saint Denis in Paris.

His work has been the subject of several documentaries. The South Bank Show in 1998 dedicated an hour king feature. Only a handful of Dance Artists have received that Honour.

In 2011 the BBC broadcasted in prime time The Most Incredible Thing in collaboration with Pet Shop Boys, and the US premiere took place in Charlotte North Carolina in March 2018.

He was invited by the McColl Center for Arts and Innovation to be the same years’s Artist in Residence. Their first Choreographer and Director in their History.

in 2000 De Frutos became one of the first Fellowship recipients The Arts Council of England, through which he studied extensively the works of Tennessee Williams for more than two years. He also represented Britain at the internationally prestigious Venice Biennale in 2006.

Send us a text

Emma Kate is a British performer. Actress, singer and dancer she performs mainly on stage in theater and opera but also in cinema.

Recently Emma Kate was spotted on stage at The Monte Carlo Opera House in Kurt Weill's Street Scene. At the Grand Palais and at the Théâtre du Châtelet for her portrayal of Lina Lamont in Singing In The Rain, or in the role of Anytime Annie in 42nd Street. She also played the role of La Fée Des Lilas in French in Peau d'âne at the Théâtre Marigny, re-orchestrated by Michel Legrand produced by Jean-Luc Choplin (Cast Album / Sony France) and Jenny Diver in The Beggars Opera by Robert Carsen & William Christie, Les Arts Florrisant, Theater Bouffes Du Nord and OPUS ARTE / FRA Prod Cinema.

Emma Kate Nelson began her career at a young age in the West End, London in Aspects of Love at the Prince of Wales Theater, she will be found later on many stages in London: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (The World's Greatest Show, The Enchanted Pig), Aldwych Theater (Stephen Ward), Southwark Playhouse (Victor Victoria), Young Vic Theater (Street Scene), Union Theater (The Pajama Game), Jermyn Street Theater (Jean de Florette), Open Air Theater in Regent's Park (The Music Man, The Boyfriend, Lady Be Good, (A Midsummer Night's Dream), The Gatehouse Theater (Call Me Madam), Chichester Theater (42nd Street), at the Swan Theater in High Wycombe (Me and My Girl) but also on tour with White Christmas and That's Entertainment.

Outside the UK, she performed the role of Princess Adelaide (The Enchanted Pig) at the New Victory Theater in New York, Soloist at The Eldorado Showroom in Reno, Nevada, the lead role in the Australian tour of Putting on the Ritz, as well as several roles in Starlight Express in Germany. On tour again with Street Scene (Toulon Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona, ​​Theater an der Wien Vienne, Oper Koln and Opera De Monte Carlo).

Send us a text

Pavel "Pasha" Kovalev, born 19 January 1980 is a Russian professional Latin and ballroom dancer.

He started dancing at the age of eight and in 2001  moved to the United States with his professional dance partner Anya Garnis. In 2007, the couple competed on the third season of the American version of So You Think You Can Dance and they have since participated in the eight subsequent seasons as either choreographers or 'All-Star' partners to the contestants.

In 2011, Kovalev moved to the United Kingdom to take part in the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer.  After finishing runner-up on both the ninth and tenth series with celebrity partners Chelsee Healey and Kimberley Walsh, he went on to win series twelve with his partner Caroline Flack. Despite facing backlash over her past dance experience and landing in the bottom two three times, he and his celebrity partner, Ashley Roberts, later became runners-up on the sixteenth series of the show. They currently hold the record of the highest average for any celebrity on the show – with an average of 36.9 – and another record for scoring the most perfect scores – with a total of five. Kovalev announced that 2018 was his final series on the show as he had decided to "find a new challenge" after "eight incredible years".

Kovalev started dating his former Strictly partner Rachel Riley in 2013, and the couple now live together in London. In May 2019, Riley and Kovalev announced via social media that they were expecting their first child in December. The couple subsequently married in Las Vegas on 28 June 2019. Their daughter, Maven Aria Riley Kovalev, was born on 15 December 2019. The couple are now expecting their second child.

Send us a text

This weeks podcast comes 'live' from the Maidenhead Dance Festival in the UK. 

We get to hear teachers, parents and students views on performing and training as well as coping during lockdown. Also, the aspirations of the future performers.

Send us a text

Andrée’s best known from TV series Only Fools & Horses, Hollyoaks, Holby City, Poirot & Doctor Who. She has starred in many West End theatre shows including Hair & Kiss Me Kate. Andrée has worked extensively with writer/director Steven Berkoff over the past few years on new plays The Actor’s Lament and 6 Characters in Search Of A Director.

For an in-depth account of all of Andrée’s work from film & TV roles, to viewing clips, listening to her voiceover work and more, visit her website at andreebernard.com.

Send us a text

Kerry Jane Ellis is an English actress and singer who is best known for her work in musical theatre and subsequent crossover into music. Born and raised in Suffolk, Ellis began performing at an early age before training at Laine Theatre Arts from the age of 16.

Ellis made her first professional stage appearance in 1998 and went on to make her West End debut in the 2001 revival of My Fair Lady as an understudy for the role of Eliza Doolittle. In 2002, she landed the role of Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You and has subsequently played lead roles in musicals Les Misérables, Wicked (in the West End and on Broadway), Oliver! and Cats as well as appearing in national tours and concert productions of musicals like Miss Saigon, Chess, The War of the Worlds and RENT. Ellis, who has received several awards and nominations for her performances, has become recognised as the First Lady of West End musicals.[1][2] She has also worked sporadically in film and television.

After meeting Queen guitarist Brian May in 2002, Ellis expanded her repertoire as a solo artist. She has released four studio albums Anthems (2010), which reached number 15 on the UK Albums Chart, the self-titled Kerry Ellis (2014), Golden Days (2017) and Feels Like Home (2020) as well as an extended play Wicked in Rock (2008) and a live album Acoustic by Candlelight (2013). Ellis also appears as a featured artist on several other albums. Ellis has performed in concerts across the world in addition to headlining solo concert tours like Anthems: The Tour and The Born Free Tour.

In addition to her musical work, Ellis involves herself in charity work for the Born Free Foundation with May and is the patron of several arts organisations. In 2019, Ellis received an honorary fellowship from the University of Suffolk.

Send us a text

A loveable live singing drag queen from the Midlands who brings glamour, comedy and a contagious energy to her performances. Singing camp classics, musical parodies and all the songs you forgot you loved, It’s Ava Cardo!

After graduating drama school training at East 15 Acting School, Ava immediately started her drag career performing to 100s of holiday makers a week across the Canary Islands as part of the Musical Hall Tavern show throughout 2016. Since moving back to the UK, Ava has made her mark on the drag scene starting out and excelling in competitions such as Drag Idol and has now been performing her very own show in venues across London and the UK. Now residing in LGBTQ hotspot of Brighton, the live singing sensation continues her drag career. Aside from cabaret, in 2021 Ava performed her own comedy Fringe Theatre show which received a five star review and the Pebble Trust’s international touring award. Ava is now set to make her Panto Debut as Snow White on the West-Ends number one Adult Pantomime!

Send us a text

This week we give a big shout out to all the pantos that are going ahead this year around the UK. 

After a year without we thought a much needed reminder to support your local pantomimes would be the right thing to do. They are the life blood for keeping theatres and venues alive and without them theatre land would be a much sadder and poorer place. 

So get your tickets booked for you and your family and friends and get ready to shout, boo,  hiss, cheer, laugh and clap as you spend a fun packed evening or matinee in the company of dames, princes, barons, wicked step mothers, evil queens, ugly sisters, princesses and pantomime horses.

Have fun!

Send us a text

Tim English trained at Arts Ed and graduated with honours. He was recently resident director for Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre London and The Lion King UK/International Tour.

His theatre credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, Harry in Mamma Mia!, Monsieur Defarge in A Tale of Two Cities and Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore.

Tim helped set up the Chris Hornby bursary fund at ArtsEd where he and Chris both trained. Chris had received a bursary to train at ArtsEd, a small grant that had a big impact on his life and all those he went on to meet. The Chris Hornby Fund has been set up as a lasting legacy that will help talented students at ArtsEd facing financial hardship. Attendees of the memorial showed exceptional support for the fund, resulting in an incredible £3,261 being donated on the day and a further £3,700 online.

If you would like to support the Chris Hornby Fund please visit the justgiving page.