<![CDATA[Showbiz Mums]]>A podcast about mums working in theatre and how they juggle the chaos of parenting, plus an 8 show week. We'll cover birth stories, pregnancy and post partum in the theatre industry and open up the conversation of job sharing.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:19:15 GMTWed, 21 Jan 2026 11:21:21 GMT60Kimberly Powell<p>A podcast about mums working in theatre and how they juggle the chaos of parenting, plus an 8 show week. We'll cover birth stories, pregnancy and post partum in the theatre industry and open up the conversation of job sharing.</p>episodicKimberly Powellkimmypowell@hotmail.co.ukyes<![CDATA[Ep12 Season finale - Margaret New and navigating tweens ~ Melissa Jacques]]>In this chat, Melissa Jacques (Just For One Day, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Spend Spend Spend) covers her experiences as a working mum in the theatre industry, including her pregnancies, her comedy descriptions of childbirth, and balancing work and family life. Mel talks about taking over the role of Margaret New in Everybody's Talking About Jamie in the West End and how her family adapt and make it work when she is on tour.

Additionally, it explores the transition of children into their teenage years and the complexities of raising teens in the digital age.

*Discussion around grief

Find Melissa @melissajacques

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Showbiz Mums
  • 06:01 Balancing Work and Pregnancy
  • 15:24 Childbirth Experiences
  • 26:34 Challenges of Parenting in the Entertainment Industry
  • 38:19 Impact of Social Media on Parenting
  • 56:56 Balancing Career and Motherhood
  • 01:06:06 Career Highlights and Future Aspirations

Original music by Steve Rushton

]]>81b97f29-7697-46a2-b219-a639ea253317Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:30:00 GMT<p>In this chat, Melissa Jacques (Just For One Day, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Spend Spend Spend) covers her experiences as a working mum in the theatre industry, including her pregnancies, her comedy descriptions of childbirth, and balancing work and family life. Mel talks about taking over the role of Margaret New in Everybody's Talking About Jamie in the West End and how her family adapt and make it work when she is on tour.</p><p>Additionally, it explores the transition of children into their teenage years and the complexities of raising teens in the digital age.</p><p></p><p>*Discussion around grief</p><p></p><p>Find Melissa @melissajacques</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Showbiz Mums</li><li>06:01 Balancing Work and Pregnancy</li><li>15:24 Childbirth Experiences</li><li>26:34 Challenges of Parenting in the Entertainment Industry</li><li>38:19 Impact of Social Media on Parenting</li><li>56:56 Balancing Career and Motherhood</li><li>01:06:06 Career Highlights and Future Aspirations</li></ul><p></p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p>yes01:13:08112Ep12 Season finale - Margaret New and navigating tweens ~ Melissa Jacquesfull<![CDATA[Ep11 - The Tina Turner job share ~ Zoe Birkett]]>Zoe Birkett (The Bodyguard, Priscilla, Moulin Rouge, Great British Bake Off) chats today about her experience of doing a job share split when she played the role of Tina in Tina: the Tina Turner Musical with the lovely Karis Anderson. She talks about how well they got along and how she made the juggle of performing and parenting work for her family.

We spoke about Zoe's pregnancy and her preference to give birth back home up North, and when she felt she was ready to rejoin the industry post partum. Zoe was so honest and open about how she felt getting back into the industry - and has been absolutely smashing it ever since.

Find her at @zoebirkett

@showbizmums

Original music by Steve Rushton

]]>f03c77c2-6a39-4048-9bc5-bcc6cc6517a6Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:15:00 GMT<p>Zoe Birkett (The Bodyguard, Priscilla, Moulin Rouge, Great British Bake Off) chats today about her experience of doing a job share split when she played the role of Tina in Tina: the Tina Turner Musical with the lovely Karis Anderson. She talks about how well they got along and how she made the juggle of performing and parenting work for her family.</p><p>We spoke about Zoe's pregnancy and her preference to give birth back home up North, and when she felt she was ready to rejoin the industry post partum. Zoe was so honest and open about how she felt getting back into the industry - and has been absolutely smashing it ever since.</p><p></p><p>Find her at @zoebirkett</p><p></p><p>@showbizmums</p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p>no00:29:45111Ep11 - The Tina Turner job share ~ Zoe Birkettfull<![CDATA[Ep10 - America, Australia and Asia, oh my! ~ Stephanie Elstob]]>*Trigger warning - there is conversation around eating disorders and body image in this episode.

Steph Elstob (Wuthering Heights, The Bodyguard and Oliver) joins me to talk about taking her son on 2 International tours, alongside her partner Sam, also a performer in the industry. We chat about how the company went above and beyond in order to keep both Sam and Steph on the show as they were 'too valuable not to try'.

Steph also talks about founding her business - the Iris Clinic- a clinic specifically for performers/creatives who struggle with their relationship with food or their bodies.

Find Steph on instagram @stephelstob of @irisclinicuk or on the website irisclinic.co.uk

Original music by Steve Rushton

]]>d2b3b5dd-6f4d-4a8e-bdc4-2d7b478cfbedWed, 01 Apr 2026 04:45:00 GMT<p>*Trigger warning - there is conversation around eating disorders and body image in this episode.</p><p></p><p>Steph Elstob (Wuthering Heights, The Bodyguard and Oliver) joins me to talk about taking her son on 2 International tours, alongside her partner Sam, also a performer in the industry. We chat about how the company went above and beyond in order to keep both Sam and Steph on the show as they were 'too valuable not to try'.</p><p>Steph also talks about founding her business - the Iris Clinic- a clinic specifically for performers/creatives who struggle with their relationship with food or their bodies.</p><p></p><p>Find Steph on instagram @stephelstob of @irisclinicuk or on the website <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://irisclinic.co.uk" target="_blank">irisclinic.co.uk</a></p><p></p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p>yes00:37:48110Ep10 - America, Australia and Asia, oh my! ~ Stephanie Elstobfull<![CDATA[Ep9 - Paddington and Parenting ~ Jackie Hughes]]>This episode I chat to Jackie Hughes (Groundhog Day, Wicked, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry) about how she manages the juggle of parenting her two boys and performing 8 shows a week. Currently in the Original West End cast of Paddington, Jackie shares her experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, returning to work, and the support network she relies on.

Find her @jaxhughes1903 and as a coach for @prepyourrep_ldn

Original music by Steve Rushton

]]>99bc4a8f-26b0-474e-b54a-6cd11323ba90Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>This episode I chat to Jackie Hughes (Groundhog Day, Wicked, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry) about how she manages the juggle of parenting her two boys and performing 8 shows a week. Currently in the Original West End cast of Paddington, Jackie shares her experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, returning to work, and the support network she relies on. </p><p></p><p>Find her @jaxhughes1903 and as a coach for @prepyourrep_ldn</p><p></p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p>no00:29:4019Ep9 - Paddington and Parenting ~ Jackie Hughesfull<![CDATA[Ep8 - The original job share proposal at Les Miz ~ Sarah Lark]]>Sarah Lark (BBC's I'd do Anything, Witches of Eastwick and Mamma Mia) talks all about her experience of working in Les Miserables for over a decade. Sarah is known for being one of the original pioneers of working in a job share in the West End. In this conversation, she explains how she proposed the idea to the company, when Jo Loxton was returning from her maternity leave.

@misssarahlark

Original music by Steve Rushton

]]>a407f437-ea8e-4def-8965-202cc56078faWed, 18 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>Sarah Lark (BBC's I'd do Anything, Witches of Eastwick and Mamma Mia) talks all about her experience of working in Les Miserables for over a decade. Sarah is known for being one of the original pioneers of working in a job share in the West End. In this conversation, she explains how she proposed the idea to the company, when Jo Loxton was returning from her maternity leave.</p><p></p><p>@misssarahlark</p><p></p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p>no00:51:2518Ep8 - The original job share proposal at Les Miz ~ Sarah Larkfull<![CDATA[Ep7 - Returning to Moulin Rouge after a C section ~ Katie Deacon]]>Katie covers her pregnancy journey as Swing and cover Nini in Moulin Rouge and her return to theatre after a C section.

She shares her experiences of navigating work during pregnancy, and the challenges of postpartum recovery. She also discusses the financial and psychological pressures of returning to life as a mother working in the West End.

Katie highlights the importance of advocating for the rights and entitlements of working mothers in the industry.

Follow her @katiedeacon92

Original music by Steve Rushton

]]>8a275b20-3a8d-49e0-8295-5cb65abd9c4dWed, 11 Mar 2026 06:15:00 GMT<p>Katie covers her pregnancy journey as Swing and cover Nini in Moulin Rouge and her return to theatre after a C section.</p><p>She shares her experiences of navigating work during pregnancy, and the challenges of postpartum recovery. She also discusses the financial and psychological pressures of returning to life as a mother working in the West End.</p><p>Katie highlights the importance of advocating for the rights and entitlements of working mothers in the industry.</p><p></p><p>Follow her @katiedeacon92</p><p></p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p>no00:41:3817Ep7 - Returning to Moulin Rouge after a C section ~ Katie Deaconfull<![CDATA[Ep6 - On tour with Top Hat, Truly Scrumptious, nudity and everything in between ~ Emma Williams]]>Trigger warning - explicit sexual violence threat reference at 23 mins. Weight discussion also occurs.

Four time Olivier Award nominee Emma Williams joins the podcast this week to discuss what it's like being on tour with Top Hat, away from her 6 year old daughter, Izzy.

Emma was so generous with her time and we managed to cover so much in the chat, including how she copes with being away, how difficult her pregnancy and post partum period was, and the industry's body image pressures.

We ended up chatting about the challenges and empowerment associated with nudity in performance, the impact of COVID-19 on career and family, the financial strain and work-life balance of an acting career, the joy of comedy and variety in roles, and the mental load of motherhood.

You can find Emma online @williamstweet

Original music by Steve Rushton

Chapters

  • 00:00 Balancing Career and Parenthood
  • 06:03 Challenges of Parenthood in the Theatre Industry
  • 12:00 Challenges of Returning to Work After Childbirth
  • 18:07 Body Image and Industry Pressures
  • 31:29 Impact of COVID-19 on Career and Family
  • 45:37 Work-Life Balance and Financial Concerns
  • 51:28 Parenting in the Digital Age
  • 58:24 The Pursuit of Creative Endeavors
  • 01:03:29 Challenges and Realities of the Acting Industry
  • 01:14:31 The Impact of Self-Tape Auditions

]]>06632eb7-de18-43f0-82a1-7fbb5854b0dfWed, 04 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT<p>Trigger warning - explicit sexual violence threat reference at 23 mins. Weight discussion also occurs.</p><p></p><p>Four time Olivier Award nominee Emma Williams joins the podcast this week to discuss what it's like being on tour with Top Hat, away from her 6 year old daughter, Izzy. </p><p></p><p>Emma was so generous with her time and we managed to cover so much in the chat, including how she copes with being away, how difficult her pregnancy and post partum period was, and the industry's body image pressures.</p><p> We ended up chatting about the challenges and empowerment associated with nudity in performance, the impact of COVID-19 on career and family, the financial strain and work-life balance of an acting career, the joy of comedy and variety in roles, and the mental load of motherhood. </p><p></p><p>You can find Emma online @williamstweet</p><p></p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Balancing Career and Parenthood</li><li>06:03 Challenges of Parenthood in the Theatre Industry</li><li>12:00 Challenges of Returning to Work After Childbirth</li><li>18:07 Body Image and Industry Pressures</li><li>31:29 Impact of COVID-19 on Career and Family</li><li>45:37 Work-Life Balance and Financial Concerns</li><li>51:28 Parenting in the Digital Age</li><li>58:24 The Pursuit of Creative Endeavors</li><li>01:03:29 Challenges and Realities of the Acting Industry</li><li>01:14:31 The Impact of Self-Tape Auditions<p></p></li></ul><p></p>no01:03:55Ep6 - On tour with Top Hat, Truly Scrumptious, nudity and everything in between ~ Emma Williamsfull<![CDATA[Ep5 - Performing in Come From Away at full term! ~ Chiara Baronti]]>Chiara has appeared in Sweeney Todd, Jerry Springer the Opera, Legally Blonde and Sister Act amongst many other shows. In this conversation we discuss what it was like for her to perform in Come From Away at 37 weeks pregnant and how well the company treated her and any adaptations that were made to accommodate the pregnancy.

Chiara was in a same sex relationship for many years and explains her fertility journey, along with her wife at the time. She is now navigating single parenthood and expresses how difficult it can be to make the decision to be in a show when you are the main caregiver at home.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Trigger Warnings
  • 06:19 Performing While Pregnant
  • 13:31 Professional Challenges and Pregnancy Experience
  • 26:56 Career and Family Balance

Original music by Steve Rushton

]]>92fc2295-e7be-4f0d-b56d-6bab78e27434Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:45:00 GMT<p>Chiara has appeared in Sweeney Todd, Jerry Springer the Opera, Legally Blonde and Sister Act amongst many other shows. In this conversation we discuss what it was like for her to perform in Come From Away at 37 weeks pregnant and how well the company treated her and any adaptations that were made to accommodate the pregnancy.</p><p></p><p>Chiara was in a same sex relationship for many years and explains her fertility journey, along with her wife at the time. She is now navigating single parenthood and expresses how difficult it can be to make the decision to be in a show when you are the main caregiver at home.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction and Trigger Warnings</li><li>06:19 Performing While Pregnant</li><li>13:31 Professional Challenges and Pregnancy Experience</li><li>26:56 Career and Family Balance</li></ul><p></p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p>yes00:36:2315Ep5 - Performing in Come From Away at full term! ~ Chiara Barontifull<![CDATA[Ep 4 - How our job share works and post partum Mrs Wormwood ~ Marianne Benedict]]>Marianne has appeared in Chicago, We Will Rock You, Cats and The Wizard of Oz amongst many other productions. She's most well known for her incredible portrayal of Mrs Wormwood in the RSC's production of Matilda the Musical, where she performed up to 5 months pregnant and then came back to join the production after the birth of her son.

This conversation delves into the unique challenges of job sharing in the theatre industry, highlighting the financial impact, logistics, and work-life balance. It also explores the decision-making process and challenges faced during pregnancy and career in the theatre industry, as well as the experience of returning to work and coping with personal loss and vocal health issues.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Job Sharing and Theatre Industry
  • 09:40 Challenges and Decisions in Pregnancy and Career in Theatre Industry
  • 19:24 Returning to Work and Coping with Personal Loss
  • 31:16 Balancing Parenthood and Work
  • 40:08 The Job Share Opportunity
  • 54:36 Embracing Job Sharing in the Theatre Industry

Original music by Steve Rushton

]]>e4d45ab6-59f4-43e8-a884-53a6d74b89b8Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:30:00 GMT<p>Marianne has appeared in Chicago, We Will Rock You, Cats and The Wizard of Oz amongst many other productions. She's most well known for her incredible portrayal of Mrs Wormwood in the RSC's production of Matilda the Musical, where she performed up to 5 months pregnant and then came back to join the production after the birth of her son.</p><p></p><p>This conversation delves into the unique challenges of job sharing in the theatre industry, highlighting the financial impact, logistics, and work-life balance. It also explores the decision-making process and challenges faced during pregnancy and career in the theatre industry, as well as the experience of returning to work and coping with personal loss and vocal health issues.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Job Sharing and Theatre Industry</li><li>09:40 Challenges and Decisions in Pregnancy and Career in Theatre Industry</li><li>19:24 Returning to Work and Coping with Personal Loss</li><li>31:16 Balancing Parenthood and Work</li><li>40:08 The Job Share Opportunity</li><li>54:36 Embracing Job Sharing in the Theatre Industry</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p>no00:51:22Ep 4 - How our job share works and post partum Mrs Wormwood ~ Marianne Benedictfull<![CDATA[Ep 3 - Stepparenting, Starting school and a good catch up - Emma Odell]]>Emma has appeared in Kinky Boots, Sister Act, Wind in the Willows and is currently Alternate Donna in Mamma Mia in the West End. In this conversation she covers the challenges of maintaining a career while raising her son, Bruno and her experience of pregnancy and childbirth. The conversation also delves into the unique experience of being a stepparent and highlights the importance of support and flexibility in the industry.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Career Balancing Act
  • 31:13 Parenting Challenges and Sleep Training
  • 45:34 Being a Stepparent and Balancing Work
  • 58:09 Pursuing Career and Parenthood

@emmasingsitall

Original music by Steve Rushton

]]>557223f7-8745-41a5-b8d6-0cdf6918aca8Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:30:00 GMT<p>Emma has appeared in Kinky Boots, Sister Act, Wind in the Willows and is currently Alternate Donna in Mamma Mia in the West End. In this conversation she covers the challenges of maintaining a career while raising her son, Bruno and her experience of pregnancy and childbirth. The conversation also delves into the unique experience of being a stepparent and highlights the importance of support and flexibility in the industry.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction and Career Balancing Act</li><li>31:13 Parenting Challenges and Sleep Training</li><li>45:34 Being a Stepparent and Balancing Work</li><li>58:09 Pursuing Career and Parenthood</li></ul><p></p><p>@emmasingsitall</p><p></p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p>yes00:42:5113Ep 3 - Stepparenting, Starting school and a good catch up - Emma Odellfull<![CDATA[Ep 2 - Advocacy for Job sharing and flexible working in theatre~ Lauren Hall]]>Lauren has many theatre credits including Gypsy, Sister Act, Mamma Mia and 42nd St. After having her daughter, Robyn, she decided to open up the conversation of job sharing and why flexible working can be beneficial for working parents and carers.

This conversation delves into the challenges of parenting and working in the theatre industry, with a focus on job sharing as a solution. Lauren shares her journey to motherhood, the complications she faced during pregnancy, and the experience of returning to work. We discuss the need for openness to change in the theatre industry and explore the impact of rehearsal schedules on childcare, the importance of creating a supportive company culture, and the balancing act of returning to work while raising a family.

Lauren can be found @lauren_k_hall

Also mentioned in the episode @applauseforthought and @pipacampaign

@showbizmums

]]>33f4c760-186f-4860-a9f7-116c0569fc88Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:30:00 GMT<p>Lauren has many theatre credits including Gypsy, Sister Act, Mamma Mia and 42nd St. After having her daughter, Robyn, she decided to open up the conversation of job sharing and why flexible working can be beneficial for working parents and carers.</p><p></p><p>This conversation delves into the challenges of parenting and working in the theatre industry, with a focus on job sharing as a solution. Lauren shares her journey to motherhood, the complications she faced during pregnancy, and the experience of returning to work. We discuss the need for openness to change in the theatre industry and explore the impact of rehearsal schedules on childcare, the importance of creating a supportive company culture, and the balancing act of returning to work while raising a family.</p><p></p><p>Lauren can be found @lauren_k_hall</p><p></p><p>Also mentioned in the episode @applauseforthought and @pipacampaign</p><p></p><p>@showbizmums</p><p></p>no00:35:4412Ep 2 - Advocacy for Job sharing and flexible working in theatre~ Lauren Hallfull<![CDATA[Ep 1 - Taking my newborn on an International Tour~Steph Parry]]>This conversation covers the challenges of juggling a career in theatre with motherhood, including the impact of pregnancy on career, the journey of pregnancy and its impact on the industry, the challenges of labour and postpartum, returning to work, and the experience of touring with a newborn baby. Steph delves into the challenges of parenting while on an international tour, the postpartum experience and recovery, the process of returning to work and achieving work-life balance, and the advocacy for parental support in the industry.

Takeaways

  • Juggling career and motherhood
  • Challenges of pregnancy and postpartum
  • Navigating work and parenting responsibilities Resilience
  • Challenges of international touring with a baby

You can find Steph online @thatstephparry

@showbizmums

Original music by Steve Rushton

]]>12be490b-691a-487b-bc70-40073c007114Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT<p>This conversation covers the challenges of juggling a career in theatre with motherhood, including the impact of pregnancy on career, the journey of pregnancy and its impact on the industry, the challenges of labour and postpartum, returning to work, and the experience of touring with a newborn baby. Steph delves into the challenges of parenting while on an international tour, the postpartum experience and recovery, the process of returning to work and achieving work-life balance, and the advocacy for parental support in the industry.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Juggling career and motherhood</li><li>Challenges of pregnancy and postpartum</li><li>Navigating work and parenting responsibilities Resilience</li><li>Challenges of international touring with a baby</li></ul><p></p><p></p><p>You can find Steph online @thatstephparry</p><p></p><p>@showbizmums</p><p></p><p>Original music by Steve Rushton</p>no00:55:1811Ep 1 - Taking my newborn on an International Tour~Steph Parryfull<![CDATA[Showbiz Mums - Introduction]]>Showbiz Mums - Introduction

]]>64a19b7f-1588-43d4-984e-a13efedb7acfWed, 21 Jan 2026 11:24:18 GMT<p>Showbiz Mums - Introduction</p>yes00:00:45Showbiz Mums - Introductiontrailer