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Published by Barney’s Backstage Podcast
Welcome to Barney's Backstage Podcast! Hosted by Barney Dudley, a 16-year-old autistic ADHDer with a huge passion for theatre, TV, film, panto, drag, and all things performance. Each week, Barney goes behind the curtain to chat with actors, singers, dancers, creatives, producers, directors, and industry professionals about their journeys, backstage stories, career highs, challenges, and everything in between. Whether you're a theatre fan, aspiring performer, creative dancer, or simply love hearing inspiring stories from the entertainment world, there's something here for everyone. Expect exclusive interviews, plenty of laughs, honest conversations, career advice, and a unique perspective from a neurodivergent young host determined to learn from the people who inspire him. So come backstage with us... one episode at a time.
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From the feed
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In this episode, Rai Quartley shares her journey from performing on stage and in music videos to choreographing and acting, highlighting the importance of storytelling, authenticity, and perseverance in the entertainment industry.
In this episode, Dax O'Callaghan shares his journey from childhood performer to seasoned artist, highlighting the importance of confidence, authenticity, and resilience in the entertainment industry. Discover insights on navigating fame, the creative process, and staying true to your passion. A quick backstage disclaimer 😄🚆 Because we filmed this episode in a live location, the audio is muffled in parts of the episode due to nearby overhead train lines… but trust us, it’s worth it for the chat with Dax 👀🎙️
Join us in this episode as Darren Charles shares his inspiring journey through the performing arts, transforming from a young ballet dancer to a celebrated West End star, and venturing into film and television. Discover his insights into the realities of showbiz, his creative process, and the lessons he's learned along the way. In this episode: Darren's first childhood performance at age five in ballet and early influences His experiences performing at Nottingham Hill Carnival and the magic of live shows The importance of continuous training and the biggest lessons from his theatre journeys How he prepares to embody iconic characters such as Sammy Davis Jr. The differences between performing in the West End and touring internationally His favourite roles, including Sammy Davis Jr. and his project The Screams of Kitty Genoese The thrill and unpredictability of live shows and audience interactions How he developed his alter ego Saucy Davis Jr. and his love for cabaret performances Comparing stage acting to screen acting, and balancing multiple creative pursuits Perseverance in the industry, overcoming confidence challenges, and staying inspired Darren's dream project inspired by Cirque du Soleil's KA and his thoughts on industry acceptance of diverse personalities Practical advice for aspiring performers with neurodiversity and his pre-show rituals Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Darren's early childhood performances 02:29 - Performing at Nottingham Hill Carnival and his love for live events 01:56 - Training in dance, art, and musical theatre, and artistic influences 03:24 - Experience at Urdang Academy and enduring the rigorous training 04:20 - Favourite roles and his portrayal of Sammy Davis Jr. 05:19 - Comparing performances in the West End vs touring around the world 06:45 - His most memorable pinch-me moments in the industry 07:15 - Working with Olivier Award winners and his connection to iconic roles 08:55 - Preparing for legendary characters and embodying their spirit 09:55 - Audience moments and interactions during live performances 10:25 - The creation of Saucy Davis Jr. and his cabaret experiences 11:26 - The joys of creating and directing cabaret shows 12:44 - Live stage mishaps and behind-the-scenes surprises 14:12 - Differences between stage and screen acting and advice for neurodiverse performers 15:55 - Overcoming confidence struggles and childhood challenges in performance 16:24 - Reflection on his journey and what younger Darren would think 16:54 - Balancing acting, singing, dancing, and directing, and staying inspired 18:23 - Dream show inspirations like Cirque du Soleil's KA and how Darren envisions blockbuster productions 19:22 - Favourite songs and his musical inspirations 20:04 - His pre-show rituals and the ongoing planning of artistic projects 20:32 - What's next for Darren and how audiences can follow his journey 21:01 - Final thoughts and where to see Darren perform live or online Resources & Links: Darren Charles Official Website Cirque du Soleil KA The Screams of Kitty Genoese Connect with Darren: Darren Charles on Instagram
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Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 11, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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