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.
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.
Tommy Franzen - https://www.instagram.com/tommythefranzen/
Tommy Franzen is an award winning and multi skilled creative who is predominantly known and admired for his work in the dance and choreography world:. As well as this his skills include stunt work, martial arts, rock climbing, acting and property investment.
Hailing from just outside Malmo in Sweden , Tommy moved to London to study at The Urdang Academy. He embraced on his professional career whilst still at college and has navigated his career between stage and screen work.
On stage Tommy has appeared in musicals and dance productions including ‘Blaze’, ‘The Five and Prophecy of Prana’ for Boy Blue Entertainment, ‘Utopia Live Lates’,‘Leda and the swan’ and ‘Goldberg’.
For Zoonation he has appeared in productions of ‘The Mad Hatters Tea Party’, ‘Message in a Bottle’ featuring the music of Sting and ‘Sone Like it Hip Hop’.
On screen Tommy has appeared in films including ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’, ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, ‘Alladin', 'Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’, ‘Cats’ and most recently ‘Snow White’. As well as this Tommy has featured in numerous commercials.
Tommy also was a contestant in the first season of the UK version of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ finishing second.
As a choreographer he has worked on productions with Zoonation, Film productions, and Music Videos including the iconic ‘Swagger Jagger’ by Cher lloyd.
He has also been a choreographer on bbcs strictly come dancing since 2018.
If you have been affected by any conversations discussed in todays episode please see below for some helpful resources -
Men's Minds Matter - https://www.mensmindsmatter.org/
Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)
Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)
Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
