From co-founding the world’s largest live theatre company to launching Trafalgar Entertainment, Dame Rosemary Squire has spent her career shaping the stages we know and love.
In this episode of Performing in Life, she shares the extraordinary journey behind the curtain from her early days in Nottingham to producing Broadway shows, live-streaming global events, and winning Entrepreneur of the Year.
We talk about:
The birth of Trafalgar Entertainment and its global productions (including a Broadway-bound Rocky Horror Show exclusive)
Growing up dyslexic and learning creativity through finger puppets, music, and performance
Why opportunities like Stagecoach matter more than ever in today’s world
From ATG to Trafalgar: the joy of getting closer to the work again
Lessons in leadership - conviction, resilience, and the power of kindness in business
Her ultimate live gig: dancing backstage with Bruce Springsteen
Balancing motherhood, late nights, and running global theatre empires
What we can all learn from pioneers like Stella Rimington and Indhu Rubasingham
With warmth and candour, Rosemary reflects on resilience, risk-taking, and why kindness is the leadership quality she’s most proud to champion.
From dazzling gala press nights to juggling life as a mum, Stagecoach principal, performer, and personal trainer, Sophie Isaacs has lived a life full of curtain calls - both on and off the stage.
In this episode of Performing in Life, Sophie shares her full-circle journey: from singing in a Stagecoach Joseph choir to starring in Six, Heathers, Rocky Horror, and beyond - all while carrying her family’s Stagecoach legacy with pride.
She opens up about discipline, resilience, and why performing has more in common with being an athlete than you might think.
We talk about:
The thrill of gala performances and Sophie’s biggest onstage costume malfunctions
Carrying on her mum’s legacy and running Stagecoach alongside her sister Gemma
Why fitness, running, and personal training became a vital outlet for her
Landing her dream roles, from Goldilocks to Six
The leap from stage to screen on Hollyoaks and what she learned about TV vs theatre
Honest advice for young performers (and their parents!) about resilience, self-esteem, and pursuing a career in the arts
With warmth, humour, and unshakable honesty, Sophie reflects on her proudest moments, toughest lessons, and why she’s passionate about helping the next generation of young people believe in their own capability.
Performing in Life is the new podcast from Trafalgar Education, home to Stagecoach Performing Arts and Drama Kids.
With over 80 years’ combined experience helping young people build confidence through the arts, we’ve seen first-hand how performance skills translate into life skills.
But we know there’s always more to learn.
In this series, we’ll be talking to a wide range of guests: from those who found their own confidence to perform in life, to the people who dedicate themselves to helping others do the same and everything in between.