The Business of Show Business

Scott Garnham has lived the full arc of show business — West End leads in Les Mis and Billy Elliot, a Netflix film, and now co-founder of the Barricade Boys and Sisco Entertainment Group, producing shows across cruise ships, US tours and the West End. Jamie Body sits down with Scott to talk life on and after the stage: why the industry is unfair and owes you nothing, the transferable skills performers underestimate, how to pitch and pack a show, what actually stands out in auditions, and why every performer needs to think of themselves as a business. Perfect for performers, producers and creatives — on stage or behind the scenes — who want the real, unfiltered business side of the industry they love. Follow Sisco Entertainment and The Business of Show Business for more.

Over 3,000 shows perform at the Edinburgh Fringe every August. So how do you get a show there — and how do you make it stand out? Jamie Body spends the festival on the ground with the people making it happen: PR Chloé Nelkin of Chloé Nelkin Consulting, Alex Harvey of circus company Ockham's Razor (Collaborator), co-writers Alex Moneypenny and Adam Tuffre (The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth), Emily Weitzman (Furniture Boys), Corey Muizelaar (Behind Closed Doors), Alex Urwin of Kick It Anywhere (The Jolly Fisherman), and Rachel Twigg (Your Choice, Amanda Royce). They talk honestly about money, PR, flyering, venue strategy, star ratings and what happens after August — including the writers who are £18,000 in the red, and the producer who will sell out his entire run and still make a loss. In this episode: - Why PR is about profile, not a guaranteed sell-out - When Fringe planning actually starts (earlier than you think) - Why three stars is a good review - Choosing a venue you can fill over one that looks impressive - The true cost of accommodation, travel, previews and pints - Marketing that comes from the show rather than bolted onto it - How to build a second life for your show once the festival ends The Business of Show Business covers the entertainment industry through a business and career lens, for performers, makers and everyone building a career in the arts.

How do you go from waiting tables between auditions to co-directing a Disney musical with Jason Donovan and Harry Judd? And once you're the one running the room, what do you actually want to see when a performer walks in to audition? Joseph Houston and William Whelton turned a former Manchester mill, first advertised as a storage space on Gumtree, into Hope Mill Theatre, one of the most talked-about producing houses in the UK. Ten years on, they're producing and co-directing a brand-new production of High School Musical, opening at The Lowry this summer before transferring to the Troubadour Wembley Park. Jamie sits down with them to talk auditioning, producing, and swapping the performer hat for a business hat. "Everyone on that panel is rooting for you to succeed." In this episode: - Why "50% naivety, 50% ambition" built a theatre, and why that's a superpower, not a weakness- The false sense of security that helps performers pivot: people only see what you show them - What producers really think when you walk into the audition room (and the red flags that stand out) - Why an audition is a job interview, and how to make safe, strong choices instead of risky untested ones - The permission slip most performers need: bring your sides in your hand, and just ask - How to wear the producer and director hats at once, and why "there's always a budget" makes the work better, not worse - Why regional theatre matters, and how shows now reach Manchester before London - The business skills nobody teaches performers: take every opportunity, even as a runner - Why your performing career was never a failure, just part of the journey Got a topic you want covered on the show? Send Jamie a DM. And if you're near Manchester or London this year, go and see High School Musical live. Subscribe for honest conversations about the business behind the performing arts, made for performers, creatives and anyone building a sustainable career in this industry. And find out more about High School Musical here - https://highschoolmusicalonstage.com/

Actor and entrepreneur Ellie De Rohan trained at RADA, performed in Kenneth Branagh's King Lear in the West End and on Broadway, and appeared in Death on the Nile, Anatomy of a Scandal and Netflix's Anatomy of a Scandal. She's also the co-founder of Mona, a platform connecting actors to flexible, well-paid work that fits around auditions and performance careers. In this episode of The Business of Show Business, host Jamie Body sits down with Ellie to talk honestly about the reality of an acting career: the dizzying highs of a West End transfer, the nine-month gaps with no work, and how to build a survival job that actually respects your skill set. If you're an actor, dancer, performer or drama school graduate trying to work out how to pay rent without losing your craft, this one's for you. WHAT WE COVER: - Going from RADA graduate to Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, then not working for nine months - Why the "unicorn" straight-out-of-drama-school success story is rarely the full picture - The difference between stage and screen acting and what each demands - How Ellie co-founded Mona and why actors make the best hospitality, promo and events staff - The transferable skills every performer already has (and undervalues) - Managing money, tax and cashflow as a freelance creative - What a healthy, positive relationship with an agent actually looks like - Writing to industry contacts without stepping on your agent's toes - Launching Lisa, Mona's UGC and content creation arm, and navigating brand and advertising legislation - Why you should keep training after drama school, American-style - Taking care of your "muggle self" and your "magic self" Ellie's advice for graduates, plus our Lights Questions Action quickfire round covering her favourite jobs, falling off a stage in New York, and working with Kenneth Branagh. FIND MONA: Website: monacareers.co.uk Instagram: @monacareers ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF SHOW BUSINESS: The Business of Show Business is the podcast unpacking the commercial reality behind creative careers. Hosted by Jamie Body, performer turned industry commentator, journalist and presenter, each episode brings you honest conversations with the people navigating the business side of the arts. Now in Season 7, distributed across 45+ countries. Website: www.jamiebody.com Contact: info@jamiebody.com Subscribe and leave a comment wherever you watch or listen.

Nobody teaches performers the business side of the industry. You spend years on audition technique, vocal training, dance and craft, then get into the industry and realise no one showed you the other half: how to think of yourself as a business, how to market what you do, and how to make sure the right people know how to find you. In this solo episode kicking off Season 7 of The Business of Show Business, Jamie Body draws on nearly 20 years across theatre, TV, film, arts marketing and industry journalism to unpack the mindset and practical strategies that get you in the room and keep you there.It's not always the most talented person who works. It's the most discoverable, the most consistent, and the one who makes it easiest for the right people to say yes. In this episode: - Why you are the CEO of your own career (and your own marketing manager, PR, finance director and HR) - What your personal brand actually is: what people say about you when you leave the room - How to turn your reach from a 150-seat theatre into a "stage without walls" - The brand audit every performer should do (open an incognito window and Google yourself) - Why you should pick three platforms and "be a triple threat" rather than burning out on six - The "go ugly first" rule and how to beat social media resistance - What to post when you're not working (hint: you're always working) - The brand lens: does it entertain, inspire, start conversation or educate? - The rule of threes for content - Why a goal without a plan is just a wish, and how to work backwards from it - Networking vs canvassing: two ears, one mouth Whether you're a performer, creative, or freelancer trying to build a career that reflects how hard you work, this episode offers a different lens to look through, one that changes how you approach every decision related to your career. Got a topic you want Jamie to explore? Send a DM. Subscribe for new episodes of The Business of Show Business, with conversations featuring performers, casting directors, agents, producers, marketing specialists and PR experts, all answering the same question from different angles: how does this industry actually work, and how can you make it work for you? 🎧 Listen to the full archive wherever you get your podcasts 🌐 thebusinessofshowbusiness.com 📩 info@jamiebody.com 🎧 Listen to the full archive wherever you get your podcasts 🌐 thebusinessofshowbusiness.com 📩 info@jamiebody.com

What does it actually mean to succeed as an actor? In this episode, journalist and presenter Jamie Body is joined by Alexa Morden — actor, coach, author, and founder of the 98% podcast and CIC — to have the conversation the industry rarely wants you to hear. Alexa breaks down why chasing the traditional idea of "making it" could be holding you back, how to find genuine success and fulfilment at any stage of your acting career, and why being in the 98% of actors who don't earn their main income from acting is nothing to be ashamed of. They also get into the red flags actors need to watch out for — from fake producers and IMDb credit fraud to agencies withholding pay — and why Alexa turned her podcast into a Community Interest Company to keep fighting for actors who have nowhere else to turn. Plus, in Lights, Questions, Action: the role Alexa always wanted, the acting advice she thinks is complete nonsense, and why you absolutely need to be her friend if you're okay with voice notes. 🎙️ Topics covered: Why only 2% of actors earn their main income from acting? Redefining success on your own terms. Internal vs external validation. Control the controllables — a process-focused approach to your career. Industry red flags and the work of the 98% CIC: The myth of blacklisting. Writing Beyond the Spotlight with her father, performance psychologist Dr Steve Ball 📖 Alexa's book Beyond the Spotlight is out now. 🎧 Find the 98% podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. The Business of Show Business is the podcast for performers, creatives, and industry professionals navigating the real world of show business. Hosted by Jamie Body, distributed across 45+ countries. Subscribe for new episodes monthly and leave a comment below — what's your definition of success as a performer?

What does it take to write, direct, produce — and edit — your own feature film? This week on The Business of Show Business, Jamie Body sits down with British-American filmmaker Peter Glanz to talk about his highly anticipated new film Savage House. Set against the chaos of 18th century England — a Pox outbreak, the Jacobite Uprising, and a society obsessed with image and social climbing — Savage House is a darkly funny, madcap satire of greed, class, and power, starring Richard E. Grant and Claire Foy. The film has already landed five-star reviews following its world premiere. In this mini episode, Peter reveals: — How a single image of a nobleman at a candlelit dinner table sparked the entire script — Why 1715 felt like a "black mirror" for our times — The reality of making a period drama on a tight budget — and storyboarding every single frame to make it work — What it was like directing Richard E. Grant and Claire Foy, and the direction he gave Claire that unlocked her performance — Why he edited the entire film on a MacBook Air at home — His honest advice for emerging filmmakers and directors trying to break through Peter's career spans a short film that premiered at both Cannes and Sundance, commercials for Chanel, YSL, Marc Jacobs and Tommy Hilfiger, a Carly Rae Jepsen music video starring Tom Hanks with over 300 million views, and an adaptation for Paramount Pictures. Savage House is his most ambitious project yet. If you love film, filmmaking, British period drama, or the business behind the screen — this one is for you. Savage House is in cinemas now. The Business of Show Business is hosted by Jamie Body and available on all major podcast platforms.

Jamie Body sits down with performer and vocal & performance coach Grace Galloway — fresh from her critically acclaimed run in Ride the Cyclone at the Southwark Playhouse — to talk about everything nobody tells you before you leave drama school. Grace opens up about the real mental and emotional demands of a performing career, how she landed Educating Rita at Dundee Rep with a cold email (not an audition), what happened when she chose a holiday in Greece over a producer final, and why she believes the hard part of this industry isn't the job — it's withstanding everything around it. They also dig into vocal health, building a rep that actually works for you, the Ride the Cyclone fandom, and how operating as a vocal coach has made Grace a better performer. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE: Why Grace nearly didn't submit a self-tape for Ride the Cyclone How a cold email to an old drama school contact led to her being cast in Educating Rita The mental health challenges performers don't talk about enough - Vocal health tips that actually work (and why lozenges don't do what you think) How many songs you really need in your rep — and how to use them The worst career advice Grace ever received What Grace wishes she'd known leaving drama school 🎟️ Ride the Cyclone returns to the Southwark Playhouse, go and see it. 📲 Follow Grace: Instagram & TikTok: @gracegallowayxx Coaching: @gallowayvocals | gallowayvocals.com 📲 Follow Jamie: Instagram: @bodyjamie Website: jamiebody.com 🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts — and if you enjoy the show, leave a review. It genuinely helps.

This week Jamie is joined by Amy West and Matthew Ives — co-creators of MT Swing Life — for The Business of Show Business' first ever trio interview. Amy and Matthew have between them swung, dance captained, and choreographed on shows including Hunger Games, Back to the Future, Hairspray, Jersey Boys, Addams Family, Little Big Things and more. They break down exactly what it takes to be a musical theatre swing — from the soft skills (calm under pressure, grace under fire) to the practical tools (cheat sheets, swing Bibles, colour-coded maps, Stage Right software). They also get into the dance captain role, why it's one of the most undervalued and underpaid in the industry, the ADHD superpower in the swing world, and how to position yourself if you want the swing life to find you. Whether you're a performer thinking about swing work, already in a show, or just want to understand what keeps West End productions running night after night — this one's essential viewing. 🔗 Find MT Swing Life: https://www.instagram.com/mtswinglife/ 🌐 Jamie Body: jamiebody.com 📸 Instagram: @bodyjamie The Business of Show Business is the podcast and video series pulling back the curtain on the entertainment industry — the careers, the craft, and the business behind the show. Subscribe for new episodes every other week.

Today Jamie is joined by Dawn Farrow — freelance marketing and sales consultant, founder of On Sale Live, and the woman behind over 36 million tickets sold across theatre, immersive experiences, and live entertainment. Exhibition News called her the accidental architect of a live experience revolution, and after this conversation, you'll understand exactly why. They get into the real business of selling live experiences — from why some shows make a profit and others barely break even, to the biggest red flags Dawn sees when producers pitch to her. Dawn shares the lessons she learned building and then closing her own agency, Boom Ents (home to clients like Walking With Dinosaurs, Luna Cinema, and Birmingham Royal Ballet), and why walking away was her proudest career moment. They also talk honestly about: - Why "this show is for everyone" is the fastest way to fail - What performers already know about sales that most marketers don't - How AI is changing the experience economy (and why it's a massive yes) - The difference between marketing and just making a poster - Her new event, On Sale Live — the first conference built purely for sales, marketing, and comms professionals in the experience economy Whether you're a performer, a producer, a marketer, or a freelancer trying to figure out how to sell yourself, this one is packed. 🎟️ Find out more about On Sale Live: https://www.onsale.live/ 🔗 Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dawn-farrow 🌐 The Business of Show Business: jamiebody.com Subscribe for new episodes every week — the business side of the entertainment industry, with the people who actually know it.

What's it really like to perform eight shows a week in a musical — or to be on standby, one minute playing Fortnite, the next going on at the Bridge Theatre? This week, Jamie Body is joined by West End performer Jacob Fowler — known for his iconic run as JD in Heathers the Musical, the UK Tour of The Addams Family, and currently appearing in Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre, one of the most-nominated Olivier shows of the year. In this episode, we cover: 🎭 What life as a standby is REALLY like (including a mid-show emergency at the Bridge) 🎤 How Jacob went from messaging Paul Taylor Mills on Instagram to playing JD over 350 times 🌳 The audition for Into the Woods — singing in a church pew with the director and creative team 📺 Winning Little Mix: The Search and supporting Little Mix on their arena tour (including three nights at the O2) 💼 Co-owning a Theatre Train franchise, running solo workshop tours of 15 cities in two weeks, and why every performer should think like a business owner 📱 Jacob's honest take on social media, networking, and shooting your shot with casting directors Whether you're a musical theatre fan, a performer navigating the industry, or just obsessed with all things West End — this one's for you. 🎙️ The Business of Show Business is hosted by Jamie Body. Subscribe for new episodes and don't forget to follow on social media #IntoTheWoods #HeathersMusical #WestEnd #MusicalTheatre #BusinessOfShowBusiness

Steve Roe founded Hoopla Improv above a pub in Balham 20 years ago. Today it's one of London's most beloved comedy institutions — and the improv school quietly behind some of the biggest names in British comedy, including members of the SNL UK cast and writing team. In this bonus episode of The Business of Show Business, Jamie sits down with Steve to talk about building a culture-led arts business from scratch, why improv is one of the most underrated career skills you can have, and what the arrival of SNL UK means for the UK comedy and improv scene. In this episode: How Hoopla grew from a free pub drop-in to a London-wide improv institution Why SNL UK reached out to Hoopla — and what happened next Improv as "yoga for soft skills" (and why corporates are catching on) The myth of the impoverished artist — and why it's holding creatives back How social media and TikTok are reshaping British comedy Why the Edinburgh Fringe is no longer the only path Hoopla's 20th Anniversary Festival: April–July 2025 How to start improv even if you're absolutely terrified 🎟️ Find out more about Hoopla's 20th Anniversary Festival: hooplaimprov.com 🎙️ The Business of Show Business is the podcast for performers, creatives, and entertainment industry professionals who want to understand how the business really works — from the inside. Subscribe for new episodes every fortnight.

Jamie Body got a sneaky peek press screening of California Scheming, the directorial debut of James McAvoy, and sat down with stars Seamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley for a candid chat about playing morally questionable characters, the wild true story behind the film, working with McAvoy on set, regionality in the UK acting industry, and the survival jobs that kept them going before the work came in. California Scheming is in cinemas from April 10th. 🎙️ The Business of Show Business is the podcast exploring the industry behind the industry — for performers, creatives and entertainment professionals. 🔔 Subscribe for more industry insights, interviews and commentary. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 What drew them to the script? 02:00 Improv skills as an actor 03:30 Playing morally dubious characters 06:00 Art imitating life — actors vs musicians chasing the dream 08:00 Survival jobs before the big break 09:30 The audition process 11:00 Working with James McAvoy 13:30 Regionality — do you need to move to London? #CaliforniaScheming #JamesMcAvoy #BusinessOfShowBusiness

Jamie Body sits down with multi-genre casting director Liyanne Marie to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood roles in the entertainment industry and to explore the format that's quietly reshaping it. Liyanne is one of the first casting directors in the UK to be seriously working in vertical drama — the short-form, portrait-mode content exploding on mobile — and she gives an honest, insider view of where it's heading and what it means for working actors right now.Whether you're a performer trying to get in the room, a dancer wondering how to pivot your career, or just curious about where the industry is going, this one is packed with practical, no-nonsense advice.In this episode: - What a casting director actually does (and why the role is so undervalued) - What vertical dramas are and why the UK industry is taking notice - How to email a casting director without getting ignored - What your digital kit should look like — headshots, showreels, social media - Why getting seen is already a win, even if you don't book the job - The self-tape mistakes actors make again and again - How Liyanne went from dancer to one of the UK's leading casting directors Vertical dramas cast by Liyanne: Mafia Lover, The Mafia Obsession, Pride and Prejudice (vertical), Saving Nora 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on the business of performing arts and entertainment. #CastingDirector #VerticalDrama #ActingTips #UKActors #ShortFormDrama

Disney's The Lion King and Disney's Hercules are currently running in London's West End. Disney's The Lion King and Disney's Hercules are lighting up London’s West End — and in this exclusive bonus episode, we go behind the scenes with two incredible stars from these iconic productions. Have you ever wondered what it really takes to perform in a West End musical? From audition songs to onstage surprises, this interview gives you a rare insight into the journey, discipline, and magic behind world-class theatre. 🎭 The Business of Show Business host Jamie Body sits down with: Thenjiwe Nofelmele (Rafiki – The Lion King ) Trevor Dion Nicholas (Phil – Hercules ) In this 15-minute interview, they share: ✨ The songs that helped them land their roles ✨ Honest West End audition tips for aspiring performers ✨ What it’s like performing in major Disney productions ✨ Fun onstage banter and behind-the-scenes moments ✨ Advice for anyone dreaming of a career in musical theatre Whether you're a drama student, Disney fan, or theatre lover, this episode is packed with inspiration, insight, and a touch of Disney magic.

From West End Star to TV Presenter | Wayne Perrey on Rent, Bombay Dreams & Breaking Into TV Wayne Perrey joins Business of Show Business to share his journey from the West End stage to television presenting . As a performer in the original West End casts of Rent and Bombay Dreams , Wayne built a career in musical theatre before successfully transitioning into TV as a presenter and actor. In this episode, we talk about the realities of performing in landmark West End productions, the transferable skills between stage and screen, and how performers can develop the confidence and communication skills needed to become TV presenters. If you're interested in musical theatre careers, the West End industry, or breaking into television presenting , this episode offers practical insight from someone who has successfully done both. 🎭 Topics we cover: • Life in the original West End productions of Rent and Bombay Dreams • The skills performers develop on stage that work for TV • How actors can transition into presenting • Building confidence and communication on camera • The business side of show business Subscribe for more conversations with performers, producers and creatives about the real business behind the entertainment industry .

Crystal Nicholls is a valid member of the dance charity organisation Dancers Career Development and works heavily as a coach supporting creatives. Previously she worked as a dancer and musical theatre performer, including a 6 year run in The Lion King in the West End. In this episode, Crystal and journalist and presenter Jamie Body discuss the mindset needed to be a performer, what organisations can support you while in your career and after and the transferable skills performers have. Crystal's website - https://www.crystalnicholls.com/ Dancers Career Development - https://thedcd.org.uk/

West End performer Rory Phelan on building a career in musical theatre, surviving the industry & launching Stage Strong | The Business of Show Business Podcast In Season 6 Episode 2 of The Business of Show Business , Jamie Body sits down with West End actor and fitness coach Rory Phelan to talk about life in musical theatre, building resilience in the industry, and why physical and mental strength matter more than ever for performers. Rory shares behind-the-scenes stories from starring in: Heathers: The Musical Club Tropicana The Musical Grease Mamma Mia! Saturday Night Fever Alongside performing in the West End and touring productions, Rory founded Stage Strong — a fitness and mindset coaching programme designed specifically for actors and performers. Working with clients across the West End, Broadway, and productions on Netflix, Rory helps performers build consistency, confidence and control — approaching the #ActorsLife with more energy, focus and longevity. In this episode, we cover: • Breaking into musical theatre • Staying physically strong during long runs • Managing rejection and resilience • The reality of West End life • Building a business alongside performing • Fitness for actors & performer wellbeing If you're an aspiring performer, working actor, or creative building a career in show business — this episode is packed with insight. 🎙 Subscribe for more conversations with industry professionals.

The Business of Show Business is back and to launch season 6 I brought back season 1 guest Graeme Pickering. So much has happened since casting director/consultant, choreographer and educator Graeme Pickering appeared on the podcast in first season. You can listen to his season 1 episode here . In this episode Graeme shares what life as a casting consultant is like while sharing tips for singers, dancers and actors wanting to secure, tours, West End contracts and cruise ship opportunities. He also discusses his new CIC Stammers Matter and a whole lot more. Find out more about Graeme on his website here .

That's a wrap on season 5 of The Business of Show Business podcast. After 10 fantastic guests from the entertainment, arts and culture sector, season 5 has come to an end. Don't panic, season 6 is already in development with lots of new guests and subjects to explore.