The Theatre Mum

Hosted by actress, voiceover and writer Holly Lucas, join the Theatre Mum every other week as we delve into the world of the performing industry, shining a light on all the different creative jobs that you can do that go beyond the West End, Broadway and Hollywood Films. Each episode, she'll be joined by a new guest to chat about their job, covering anything from costume characters to fringe theatre, directing to motion capture, and a whole lot more.

Whether you're a seasoned creative or just starting out in the industry, The Theatre Mum is here to share our stories and be your ultimate cheerleader.

Episodes

Mar 2, 2026

59 min

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum!
On episode 7, we're joined by Jess Spath, who works as a freelance outreach producer and facilitator, as well as a children and families worker for her local community. Working behind the scenes to break barriers and bring performing opportunities and joy to young people and marginalised groups, Jess has freelanced for a number of theatres and production companies, including The Watermill Theatre, Newbury Corn Exchange, Streetwise Opera, South Hill Park and Peer Productions. We discuss the ins and outs of producing shows, leading workshops and project management, as well as the importance of making the arts accessible and creating safe spaces for people to grow. It's jam-packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order. 
Content warning: Minimal swearing
Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/
Read Jess' short stories on E-Book here:
The Photograph: https://www.amazon.ca/Photograph-Jess-Spath-ebook/dp/B00H1M8RSC
The Carriage: https://www.amazon.in/Carriage-Jess-Spath-ebook/dp/B00LRI4AQO
 

Mar 2, 2026

59 min

Feb 16, 2026

1 hr 51 min

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum!
On episode 6, we're joined by Kate Izzard, co-founder of character event company, Jollypop Entertainment Ltd, providers of multi award-winning children's entertainment. Working as a princess performer or fairytale character is nothing to scoff at. From attending birthday parties to running large scale events across the South of England, we chat about what it's really like being a real life princess, what it takes to run your own business and the realities of how to keep a room full of children entertained. We also chat about Kate's theatre company, Looking Glass Theatre, and the ups and downs of putting on musicals as a new business. This episode is a little longer than usual because there was just so much to share with you. It's jam-packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order. 
Content warning: Minimal swearing
Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/
Follow Jollypop Entertainment Ltd on:
Web: https://www.jollypopentertainment.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jollypopentertainment
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jollypopentertainmentltd
Follow Looking Glass Theatre on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092366322449
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/looking_glass.theatre/
Shrek is running at Arlington Arts from the 13th Feb to the 19th Feb. Book tickets for their latest production here: https://arlington-arts.com/musical-theatre/

Feb 16, 2026

1 hr 51 min

Feb 2, 2026

1 hr 7 min

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum!
On episode 5, we're joined by Amelia Stephanides, co-founder of creative production company, Soup, and Norwich-based band, Amelia & The LoveFools. We chat about growing up in the circus, what it's like writing and performing your own music, and ask the question, what exactly is Soup? From running live events to video production, charity fundraisers to creating a new sitcom, The Bowl, we look into finding funding for projects, film festivals and how to get your work out there. This episode is jam-packed with stories for the creative hearts, an hour of honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order. And the occasional cat.
Content warning: Minimal swearing
Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/
Follow Amelia's work on:
Amelia & The LoveFools: https://www.instagram.com/amelialovefools
Listen on Spotify: http://bit.ly/3Z4rRDi
Soup: https://www.instagram.com/soup_promo
Foolhardy Circus: https://www.instagram.com/foolhardy_circus

Feb 2, 2026

1 hr 7 min

Jan 19, 2026

1 hr 21 min

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum!
On episode 4, we're joined by Helen Saxton, creator of murder mystery event company, Dead Herring. We chat about the ins and outs of working as a performer in murder mysteries, what it's like creating, running and organising an events company, as well as delving into Helen's exploration into being an author. With a play taken to Edinburgh Fringe, a published true-crime novel and another on the way, this episode is filled with stories aplenty - real and fictional - favourite poisons and lots of laughter. It's an hour and a half packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order.
Content warning: Minimal swearing
Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/
Follow Dead Herring on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DeadHerringUK/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeadHerringUK/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-saxton-60a809113/
Website: https://deadherring.co.uk/

Jan 19, 2026

1 hr 21 min

Jan 5, 2026

55 min

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum!
On episode 3, we're joined by Jamie Ledwith, Holly's somewhat creative husband. Jamie, who now works as a photographer, has dabbled in so many different areas of the industry over the years, it's impossible to fit it all in one podcast. So in this episode, we focus on life as a supporting artist, aka a film and TV extra. Filled with plenty of stories from our first-hand experience, we chat about the (un)glamorous day-to-day life of being an extra, the benefits and realities of working on a professional film set, and simply, how to do it yourself! It's an hour packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order.
Content warning: Minimal swearing
Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/
Follow Jamie on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oddshoe_photography
Website: https://www.jamieledwith.com/

Jan 5, 2026

55 min

Dec 22, 2025

56 min

Welcome back to The Theatre Mum!
On episode 2, we're joined by Maddie Bell from OnTheNose Productions. After meeting on the entertainments team at a theme park, we touch on the world of being a mascot performer before getting to know all about co-running a theatre company. We chat about the joys and processes of creating original work, taking shows to Fringe Festivals and how to get funding outside of the Arts Council. It's an hour packed with honest facts, figures and frivolity - not necessarily in that order.
Content warning: Minimal swearing
Follow The Theatre Mum on Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/
Follow OnTheNose Productions on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onthenoseproductions
Website: https://www.onthenoseproductions.co.uk/
Their next production of MAN!FEST: A Boy Band Fantasy will be playing at Wagner Hall during the Brighton Fringe on the 28th and 29th May 2026.
Tickets: https://bit.ly/4q5EJV7
 

Dec 22, 2025

56 min

Dec 8, 2025

8 min

Introducing The Theatre Mum! Want to know what it's all about?
This episode is just a little introduction to the podcast, so you can get to know us before we get into the juicy interviews with some fantastic guests working in the performing industry.
Episode 1 highlights who we are, what we're going to be covering over future episodes and, most importantly, why we're doing it.
Follow The Theatre Mum over on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thetheatremum/

Dec 8, 2025

8 min

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