Life After Jazz Hands

By: Matthew Jones
  • Summary

  • 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' journeys? So now, I’m sitting down with them individually to hear about their stories and to understand where they are now, 20 years 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.


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

    Matthew Jones
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Episodes
  • Chris Gardener: From Just Outside Dudley to Inside the Loire Valley
    Dec 18 2024

    To Book 'Gite De De'Join' for a Getaway - https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/51141506


    Chris Gardener hails from Dudley, in the West Midlands. Chris gained a place at the Arts Educational Schools in London, Graduating with a BA Hons in Musical Theatre in 2004. Chris left college early after booking a role in the UK tour of Cameron Mackintosh's 'Miss Saigon'. From here Chris went on to appear in the UK tours of 'My Fair Lady', 'Mary Poppins' and 'Oklahoma'. He then landed in the West End production of ‘Jersey Boys’.

    In 2014 Chris ventured into stills and motion video production - predominantly focusing on corporate and social media for theatre: and in 2015 he bought his first investment property. Also Chris is part of the podcast world having produced the theatre podcast in ‘Taking times to Talk’ pod.

    It was in 2020 that himself and his wife Stephanie Bron, took the decision to move to the Loire Valley in Central France, where he now resides.


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

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    58 mins
  • Stephen Uppal: From Mighty Middlesborough to Mighty Motivation
    Dec 11 2024

    Watch Stephen's Short Film 'Abe' which he Wrote and Starred in - https://vimeo.com/185086482


    Hailing from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire then uprooting to Middlesborough. Stephen attended teeside University graduating with a BA in English Literature. He then attended Arts Educational Schools, London Graduating in 2005 with a BA Hons in Musical Theatre. After graduating Stephen went into productions of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. and, the Rod Stewart Musical Tonight’s the Night. From there he joined the cast of the Royal National theatres production of The History Boys. He spent three years on screen Hollyoaks for channel 4, playing Ravi Roy as part of the first regular Indian character on the show. Next he took himself overseas to Los Angeles. While here he wrote and starred in his short film ‘Abe’, which you can watch for free courtesy of Stephen. See the Link above. Stephen is also Martial Arts enthusiast and regularly trains in Jiu-Jitsu

    And Mixed Martial Arts. Stephen has written the drama series 'Yes Please' which is currently in development. The series is set in the late 80's and is loosely based on his life growing up in Middlesbrough and is tipped to be a groundbreaking smash of a show with an Indian family at the center of all the action.


    If you are or have been affected by any of the topics in this episode please see the show notes below for some helpful resources

    Anthony Walker Foundation - Racism & Hate Crime Charity - https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/

    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.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Damian Winter Higgins: From Nottingham to Dancing on the Sidewalks of London to Teaching and Therapy
    Nov 6 2024

    Damian Winter Higgins hails from Nottingham. He gained a place at the prestigious Ballet Rambert School. Upon leaving Rambert, he joined Adventures in Motion Pictures Dance Company, with whom he performed in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake. Damian then joined the UK tour of Fame the Musical, for which he understudied and played the lead role of Tyrone Jackson and Mr Myers. Damian has also been seen in Disney's The Lion King (Lyceum), the original cast of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida (Essen, Germany), Leonard Bernstein's Wonderful Town (Grange Park Opera) and in Miss Saigon (tour).

    Damian is also a qualified teacher for BTEC Performing Arts, A-Level Dance and Drama.

    Damian is also a fully qualified therapist for people in a wide range of life experiences.


    If you are interested in contacting Damian regarding his therapy work you can email: therapeuticcounsellors@gmail.com


    And for more details - https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/401279/damian-higgins/nottingham-ng3?search=CBT

    https://www.bapam.org.uk/practitioner-search/damian-higgins/

    https://www.baatn.org.uk/find-a-psych-therapist/#!biz/id/6543d60acf08a2940a03b298


    If you are or have been affected by any of the topics in this episode please see the show notes below for some helpful resources

    Anthony Walker Foundation - Racism & Hate Crime Charity - https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/

    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

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