The Theatre Mum

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum! On episode 11, it's the return of Jamie Ledwith, this time chatting about life as a musician. Jamie, who now works as a photographer, was a musician for over 30 years, working as a solo artist, in bands and in tribute acts. Filled with plenty of stories from his first-hand experience, we chat about what it's like performing in pubs, wedding venues and in tribute theatre shows, the skill and thrill of depping in bands, as well as how close he came to getting his band, Gunph!, signed by a record label. Find out the benefits and realities of working as a professional musician, and simply, how to do it yourself! It's packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order. Content warning: Minimal swearing Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/ Follow Jamie on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oddshoe_photography Website: https://www.jamieledwith.com/ Music: Oddshoe Guy https://www.facebook.com/oddshoeguy https://open.spotify.com/artist/1RNKQmBVtlYGYqugf1ldVh?si=bsjCKN-AQOOMk2KTzSAVlQ  

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum. We're in double figures! Those working in the creative industries are often juggling multiple jobs to keep their fire alight. On episode 10, we're joined by freelance creative Maya Waghorn, who has taken the leap into performing and creating full time, dabbling in a whole host of different jobs, including teaching in dance schools, choreographing music videos, Theatre in Education (TIE), and even producing their own shows with the Maya Musical Collective. They've been performing street dance with Funk of the Future, beat boxing with SK Shlomo and the ‘Goddexes of Beatbox’ Orchestra, and most recently performing in 'The Role of a Lifetime' at the Curve Leicester, a new play with Cathartic Party Theatre, to name a few. We discuss what it's like managing such a variety of jobs, how they found the work, mentally and literally, and the ins and outs of life as a freelance creative.  It's jam-packed with honesty, facts and frivolity - not necessarily in that order.  Content warning: Minimal swearing Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/ Follow Maya on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maya_waghorn/  

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum! It's no secret that am dram sometimes receives a bad wrap - but does it deserve it? On episode 9, we're joined by fellow creative Hoffi Robinson, who has been enjoying the world of community theatre for most of her life. With a love of performing, directing and writing, we discuss how important amateur theatre is for performers and the community, especially when working full time in a completely different field. Want to know what it's like directing a production? Wonder just how creative you can get with what's on offer to you? Here you'll find insights into the differences and rewards of working with adult groups and youth theatre, tips on adapting work, including musicals, plays and your own writing, as well as some honest opinions on bringing your best to every situation. Even if it is voluntary. It's jam-packed with honesty, facts and frivolity - not necessarily in that order.  Content warning: Minimal swearing Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/ Follow The Community of Hungerford Theatre Company on https://www.hungerfordtheatre.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoHTC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hungerfordtheatrecompany/ Now go and follow your own community theatre company!  

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum! On episode 8, we're joined by vocal powerhouse Kensey Armer, who works as a Vocal Coach and Musical Director, as well as performing herself with wedding and event band, Last Call. A musical theatre kid at heart, we discuss the ins and outs of being a musical director for shows, both with children and adults, what it's like being a freelance vocal coach, as well as the importance of being involved in amateur dramatics. It has tips on juggling jobs, how to adapt your skills and mindset to different work, plus insights into what it's like being a singer in an event band. Take a drink every time we mention Natalie Weiss... It's jam-packed with honest facts, frivolity and bankable quotes - not necessarily in that order. If you were ever inspired by Lizzie Maguire, this one's for you. Content warning: Minimal swearing Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/ Follow Kensey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@queenkenofatown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054567108954 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenseyarmermt/ or https://www.instagram.com/queenkennn/ Follow Last Call on https://lastcalleventband.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lastcallfunctionband/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572760370966    

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum! On episode 7, we're joined by Jess Spath, who works as a freelance outreach producer and facilitator, as well as a children and families worker for her local community. Working behind the scenes to break barriers and bring performing opportunities and joy to young people and marginalised groups, Jess has freelanced for a number of theatres and production companies, including The Watermill Theatre, Newbury Corn Exchange, Streetwise Opera, South Hill Park and Peer Productions. We discuss the ins and outs of producing shows, leading workshops and project management, as well as the importance of making the arts accessible and creating safe spaces for people to grow. It's jam-packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order.  Content warning: Minimal swearing Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/ Read Jess' short stories on E-Book here: The Photograph: https://www.amazon.ca/Photograph-Jess-Spath-ebook/dp/B00H1M8RSC The Carriage: https://www.amazon.in/Carriage-Jess-Spath-ebook/dp/B00LRI4AQO  

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum! On episode 6, we're joined by Kate Izzard, co-founder of character event company, Jollypop Entertainment Ltd, providers of multi award-winning children's entertainment. Working as a princess performer or fairytale character is nothing to scoff at. From attending birthday parties to running large scale events across the South of England, we chat about what it's really like being a real life princess, what it takes to run your own business and the realities of how to keep a room full of children entertained. We also chat about Kate's theatre company, Looking Glass Theatre, and the ups and downs of putting on musicals as a new business. This episode is a little longer than usual because there was just so much to share with you. It's jam-packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order.  Content warning: Minimal swearing Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/ Follow Jollypop Entertainment Ltd on: Web: https://www.jollypopentertainment.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jollypopentertainment Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jollypopentertainmentltd Follow Looking Glass Theatre on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092366322449 Insta: https://www.instagram.com/looking_glass.theatre/ Shrek is running at Arlington Arts from the 13th Feb to the 19th Feb. Book tickets for their latest production here: https://arlington-arts.com/musical-theatre/

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum! On episode 5, we're joined by Amelia Stephanides, co-founder of creative production company, Soup, and Norwich-based band, Amelia & The LoveFools. We chat about growing up in the circus, what it's like writing and performing your own music, and ask the question, what exactly is Soup? From running live events to video production, charity fundraisers to creating a new sitcom, The Bowl, we look into finding funding for projects, film festivals and how to get your work out there. This episode is jam-packed with stories for the creative hearts, an hour of honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order. And the occasional cat. Content warning: Minimal swearing Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/ Follow Amelia's work on: Amelia & The LoveFools: https://www.instagram.com/amelialovefools Listen on Spotify: http://bit.ly/3Z4rRDi Soup: https://www.instagram.com/soup_promo Foolhardy Circus: https://www.instagram.com/foolhardy_circus

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum! On episode 4, we're joined by Helen Saxton, creator of murder mystery event company, Dead Herring. We chat about the ins and outs of working as a performer in murder mysteries, what it's like creating, running and organising an events company, as well as delving into Helen's exploration into being an author. With a play taken to Edinburgh Fringe, a published true-crime novel and another on the way, this episode is filled with stories aplenty - real and fictional - favourite poisons and lots of laughter. It's an hour and a half packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order. Content warning: Minimal swearing Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/ Follow Dead Herring on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DeadHerringUK/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeadHerringUK/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-saxton-60a809113/ Website: https://deadherring.co.uk/

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum! On episode 3, we're joined by Jamie Ledwith, Holly's somewhat creative husband. Jamie, who now works as a photographer, has dabbled in so many different areas of the industry over the years, it's impossible to fit it all in one podcast. So in this episode, we focus on life as a supporting artist, aka a film and TV extra. Filled with plenty of stories from our first-hand experience, we chat about the (un)glamorous day-to-day life of being an extra, the benefits and realities of working on a professional film set, and simply, how to do it yourself! It's an hour packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order. Content warning: Minimal swearing Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/ Follow Jamie on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oddshoe_photography Website: https://www.jamieledwith.com/

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum! On episode 2, we're joined by Maddie Bell from OnTheNose Productions. After meeting on the entertainments team at a theme park, we touch on the world of being a mascot performer before getting to know all about co-running a theatre company. We chat about the joys and processes of creating original work, taking shows to Fringe Festivals and how to get funding outside of the Arts Council. It's an hour packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order. Content warning: Minimal swearing Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/ Follow OnTheNose Productions on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthenoseproductions Website: https://www.onthenoseproductions.co.uk/ Their next production of MAN!FEST: A Boy Band Fantasy will be playing at Wagner Hall during the Brighton Fringe on the 28th and 29th May 2026. Tickets: https://bit.ly/4q5EJV7  

Introducing The Theatre Mum! Want to know what it's all about? This episode is just a little introduction to the podcast, so you can get to know us before we get into the juicy interviews with some fantastic guests working in the performing industry. Episode 1 highlights who we are, what we're going to be covering over future episodes and, most importantly, why we're doing it. Follow The Theatre Mum over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/