Cover of Life After Jazz Hands

Life After Jazz Hands

Life After Jazz Hands

By: Matthew Jones
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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 & 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.

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

Matthew Jones Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Conleth Kane: Part 2 - From Mind & Body to Mothers to Music

    Conleth Kane: Part 2 - From Mind & Body to Mothers to Music
    11 Nov 2026

    Conleth Kane is an Award-winning Singer/Songwriter from Northern Ireland - https://www.instagram.com/conlethkane/


    We want to dedicate this episode to Conleth's beautiful mother Priscilla Kane x


    2026 has proven to be a successful year for Conleth. In February he released his critically acclaimed pop EP, 'Erasure-esque' accompanied by a sold out record-launch at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London. His first ever UK Tour 'Unplugged - Celebrating 10 Years' sold out in a week. The live album recorded at the Crazy Coqs debuted at Number 1 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter Charts in 2026.


    Conleth is currently recording his next studio EP, due for release in Sumnmer of 2027.


    Conleth attended the Arts Ed School of Musical Theatre where he graduated in 2006.

    Upon graduating he went on to appear in the National Tour of 'Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' and 'Le Foux' in the National Tour of 'Beauty and the Beast'.

    He appeared in BBC's Casualty for 10 Episodes. Following on from that he went onto appear in Naked Boys Singing and Nunsense A-Men at the Arts Theatre in London.

    Conleth then appeared in the Live Reality TV ShOW ‘Fame:The Musical’!


    Other theatre credits also include ‘Molly Wobblys Tit Factory’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the Lyric Theatre Belfast alongside Liam Neeson.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    33 min
  • Conleth Kane: Part One - From Lurgan to London to West End Lights

    Conleth Kane: Part One - From Lurgan to London to West End Lights
    4 Nov 2026

    Conleth Kane is an Award-winning Singer/Songwriter from Northern Ireland - https://www.instagram.com/conlethkane/


    2026 has proven to be a successful year for Conleth. In February he released his critically acclaimed pop EP, 'Erasure-esque' accompanied by a sold out record-launch at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London. His first ever UK Tour 'Unplugged - Celebrating 10 Years' sold out in a week. The live album recorded at the Crazy Coqs debuted at Number 1 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter Charts in 2026.


    Conleth is currently recording his next studio EP, due for release in Sumnmer of 2027.


    Conleth attended the Arts Ed School of Musical Theatre where he graduated in 2006.

    Upon graduating he went on to appear in the National Tour of 'Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' and 'Le Foux' in the National Tour of 'Beauty and the Beast'.

    He appeared in BBC's Casualty for 10 Episodes. Following on from that he went onto appear in Naked Boys Singing and Nunsense A-Men at the Arts Theatre in London.

    Conleth then appeared in the Live Reality TV ShOW ‘Fame:The Musical’!


    Other theatre credits also include ‘Molly Wobblys Tit Factory’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the Lyric Theatre Belfast alongside Liam Neeson.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    46 min
  • Rachael Wooding: From Donny to Deutschland to the Sky's Edge

    Rachael Wooding: From Donny to Deutschland to the Sky's Edge
    28 Oct 2026

    Rachael Wooding hails from Doncaster and is currently appearing in selected dates as Grizabella in 'Cats' The Musical following on from the run at Regents Park Open Air Theatre - https://uktour.catsthemusical.com


    She is also known for playing Rose in 'Standing at the Sky's Edge' at the Sheffield Crucible and London's National Theatre. She is still recognised by some for appearing on 'Britains Got Talent' in 2016 making it to the Semi-Finals. Her auditions for this have been viewed by Millions.


    Other Notable roles include Scaramouche & Meat in Queen's 'We Will Rock You' alongside Oliver Tompsett. Eva Peron in the UK Tour of 'Evita', Kit Da Luca in 'Pretty Woman' The Musical, Amber Von Tussle in 'Hairspray' and Annette in 'Saturday Night Fever'.


    She attending Bird College of Performing Arts in Sidcup and upon graduating went on to appear in 'Cats' The Musical in Germany. Following on from this she went on to 'Starlight Express' in Germany where she played multiple roles. On returning to the UK her theatre credits included Serena in 'Fame', Ariel in 'Footloose', Annette in 'Saturday Night Fever', Mary in 'Jersey Boys', AJ in 'Love Shack' Amanda in 'Bright Lights, Big City', Kristine in 'A Chorus Line', Alice in 'Wonderland', 'Street of Dreams', 'Well-Behaved Women' and 'Another Night' before Christmas.


    Her TV Credits include 'Coronation Street', 'Doctors' and 'Girlfriends'.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 20 min
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