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Life After Jazz Hands

Life After Jazz Hands

By: Matthew Jones
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About this listen

Life After Jazz Hands is a podcast that celebrates the many paths our lives can take, and the diverse stories and characters who are - or have been - drawn to the performing arts.


My name is Matthew Russell-Jones and 20 years ago I graduated from musical theatre college. Back then, I had ideas about how my life and career would look, what constituted success, and what I wanted from the decades ahead.


But I’ve since realised that our lives can take many unexpected twists and turns. And this got me thinking: what were my classmates & others I met along the way professinally? So now, I’m sitting down with them individually to hear about their stories and to understand where they are now, 20 years or so on.


From performers and directors to doctors and barbers, Life After Jazz Hands charts the diverse careers of a single graduating class across two decades. Along the way, it also explores the moments and experiences that shape us: loss, parenthood, relationships, ill health, and opportunities in the most surprising places. Join us as we navigate the highs, the lows, and the unexpected encores in the lives of those who once shared a stage.

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Matthew Jones
Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Claire Fishenden: From Romford to Pinewood to Clarity
    Jul 9 2025

    Claire Fishenden now known as Claire Cable is a Performer, Business Woman, and Children's Author - https://www.instagram.com/claire_cable


    She has recently become a children's author of 'The Seven Legged Spider' which is available to Pre-Order Now - The Seven-Legged Spider (Pre-Order Special)

    with some of the proceeds going to 'Alfie's A Team', which raises money to help families with a child with a disability in Southend and Essex.


    Hailing from Romford in Essex, she gained a place at the Arts Educational Schools, Chiswick. Upon graduating in 2004 she booked a role in the West End Cast of 'Mamma Mia!' where she understudied the leading role of Sophie. She then went on to appear in UK Tour and West End Production of ‘The Sound of Music’, understudying and then playing the role of 'Liese'l & understudying the role of 'Maria'.


    She appeared in both the motion picture of ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’. As well as in screen roles on screen in ‘The Bill’, ‘Jonathan Creek’ and ‘Locked Up Abroad’.


    In 2012, she started a business with 'Arbonne', which has taken her all over the world as a speaker and performer. She still keeps her toe dipped in the performing world with your entertainment company ‘West End Voices’.


    Claire was recently been diagnosed with ADHD, something she is keen to discuss with the world to help others understand and encourage others to get diagnosed.


    If you have been affected by any topics discussed in todays episode please see below for some helpful resources -

    Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)

    ADHD UK - https://adhduk.co.uk/

    988 Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org/

    Beat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677

    Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)

    Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)

    Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr
  • Rachael Archer: A True Testament of Strength and Bravery
    Jul 1 2025

    Rachael Archer is an Actress, Dancer, Singer, Choreographer and Teacher who is currently appearing in Cameron Mackintosh's West End Production of 'Oliver!'. Prior to this they appeared as 'Bea' in 'Something Rotten' at the English Theatre, Frankfurt.


    Hailing from Tunbridge, Kent. Rachael went on to attend the Academy of Contemporary Music for a year in 2002 before being offered a place at the Arts Educational Schools, Chiswick. They Graduated with a Degree in Musical Theatre in 2006. Upon leaving college they went to appear in 'Angels & Kings' at Arundel Festival,'City Of Angels' English Theatre, Frankfurt. They made their West End Debut in 'Imagine This' at the New London Theatre. Following this they went onto to appear in the UK Tour of 'Aspects of Love', 'Gigi' and 'Hello Dolly' at Regents Park Theatre, 'Sweet Charity' at the Menier Chocolate Factory and the Haymarket Theatre, London, the Motion Picture of 'Les Miserables', 'The Tempest' Theatre Royal, Bath, 'Barnum' at the Chichester Theatre and 'Betty Blue Eyes' at the Novello Theatre.


    If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed in todays episode please see below for some helpful resources -


    If you have been affected by any of the conversations discussed in todays episode please see below for some helpful resources -


    If you have been affected by any of the conversations discussed in todays episode please see below for some helpful resources -


    One in Four - Supporting Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse and Trauma - https://oneinfour.org.uk/

    The Survivors Trust - Rape & Sexual Abuse Services UK - https://thesurvivorstrust.org/

    Women's Aid - Domestic Abuse Help - https://www.womensaid.org.uk/

    Crisis - https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/emotional-abuse/

    Road Peace - National Charity for Road Crash Victims - https://www.roadpeace.org/

    Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)

    988 Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org/

    Beat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677

    Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)

    Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)

    Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Simon Lee Hardwick: From Heckmondwike to Wicked Highs to Choreography Sights
    Jun 24 2025

    Simon Lee Hardwick - https://www.instagram.com/simonlhardwick/


    Simon Lee Hardwick is a Choreographer, Movement Director, Musical Stager and Director. He hails from Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire. At 16 he attended Performers College in Essex, graduating in 2004.

    He left college early to join the German production of 'Aida' in Germany. He then joined the Original West End cast of 'Wicked', following that he appeared in the West End Cast of 'Grease', 'High School Musical' One & Two, the UK Tour of 'Footloose', the London Revival of 'A Chorus Line' at the Palladium, 'Chicago' at the Leicester Curve, 'Miss Saigon' at the Prince Edward Theatre.

    As a creative he assisted Drew McConie on ‘Drunk’ in which he also performed as well as 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Regents Park, ‘Groundhog day’ in Helsinki, Finland as choreographer, the recently the acclaimed production of ‘Annie Get your Gun’ at the Lavender Theatre, 'Closer to Heaven’ as Director ar the Turbine Theatre, ‘My Favourite Things’ at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, ‘My Fair Lady’ at the Coliseum, and ‘Silence of the Lambs’ the musical all working alongside Christopher Gattelli. As well as countless musical and dance productions at Mountivew, Arts Ed, Emil Dale Academy, Bird College, Leeds Conservatoire, Guildford School of Acting and NYMT.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 22 mins

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