RHCAST LEADERSHIP TEAM
Ruthie Henshall (Founder and Director)
RUTHIE HENSHALL is an English actress, singer and dancer, known for her work in musical theatre and TV. She made her West End debut in Cats in 1987. A five-time Olivier Award nominee, she won the 1995 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Amalia Balash in the London revival of She Loves Me (1994).
Ruthie's other Olivier nominated roles are Polly Baker in the original London production of Crazy for You (1993–1994), Roxie Hart in the revival of Chicago (1997–1998) and the title roles in the original productions of Peggy Sue Got Married (2001) and Marguerite (2008). She made her Broadway debut in 1999 as Velma Kelly in Chicago and returned to the Broadway production to play Roxie Hart in 2010. She also starred as Mrs Wilkinson for two years in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical (2014–2016). She returned to television acting in 2021 by appearing as Miranda Evans in the BBC soap opera Doctors.
Paul Schofield (Founder and Director)
PAUL SCHOFIELD works as a Musical Supervisor, Composer, Orchestrator and Arranger. He works with various artists as Musical Director (including Ruthie Henshall & Clarke Peters) and various productions across the UK. Most recently Musical Supervisor on Hair - In Concert at the London Palladium. (Dir. Arlene Phillips).
He is a managing director of Three Pin Productions Ltd, which was established with Ruthie in 2012. The company have produced both national and international tours, recorded studio albums, produced original book musicals for Cunard and amongst other projects, provide theatrical/musical consultancy for the broader entertainment industry.
Andrea Lowde (CEO and Principal)
ANDREA LOWDE is CEO, and leads the educational programme, at RHCAST. As professional singer who trained at Laines Theatre Arts, Andrea has 20 years experience working in the entertainment industry.
From her role as Cruise Director responsible for passenger entertainment on board luxury liners, through to 5 years working as Principal for Performance Preparation Academy in Guildford, Andrea has a proven track record in education, performance, directing, and management.
Lyndsay Barnbrook (Course Design and Academic Lead)
LYNDSAY BARNBROOK has written the educational programme at RHCAST. With a BA Hons; MMus; PhD, Lyndsay is a freelance musical director, composer/arranger and lecturer.
At University, she studied under David Owen Norris and Matthew Scott (Head of Music, National Theatre). Lyndsay has worked on a wide variety of music theatre projects as Composer/Arranger and Musical Director, and has taught on Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses at universities and drama schools/conservatoires including as Course Director for CPA Studios.
Lyndsay wrote a number of modules for the Pearson Higher National Diplomas in Performing Arts, acted as consultant for the revised Trinity College London Level 6 Diplomas, and currently holds External Examiner posts for two institutions
Estelle Lambert (Vice Principal and Course Leader)
Estelle began her performing career at the age of 9 on children’s television making her television debut on Central Television’s ‘HQ’. After training in Musical Theatre Estelle worked as a performer for several years before taking a break to have her daughter. Estelle returned to the industry with a new-found passion for directing and writing – with particular interest in Theatre for Social Change.
As well as working as a director in her own right, Estelle became Artistic Director for ‘Hushed Nation’, a theatre company focused on creating community-based work that gives a voice to marginalized people within the community. Their debit piece ‘Any Change’ opened at Portsmouth’s ‘New Theatre Royal’ and went on to London’s ‘Camden People’s Theatre’.
Estelle is also an original co-collaborator on ‘Puppet City’ which premiered at Journeys Festival 2019 and continues to tour the U.K..
Alison Nightingale (College Manager)
Alison Nightingale is the College Manager for RHCast. She brings her diverse experience in project management, communication and organisational development to this role. Having started her career serving as a medic in the British Army, Alison followed this with five years as a restaurant manager for The Alex in Felixstowe. To connect her work more with her personal life, she went on to lead fundraising for Suffolk Family Carers for eight years. After becoming a mother to twins, Alison retrained as a Swimming Teacher and Aqua Instructor, promoting health and well-being.
Bringing together this wealth of professional skills, a lifelong interest in theatre, and a decade working with Ruthie Henshall, Alison is excited to support young people exploring their creativity and passion for musical theatre in the unique space that is RHCAST.
RHCAST TEACHING AND COACHING
Leigh McDonald (Acting Technique and Voice Coach)
Leigh went to Guildford School of Acting from 1987 to 1990. She went on to work for 27 years as a professional actress. In 2013 she began working for a large children's acting agency, which led to her starting up her own agency.
Her professional credits include - Bianca - Othello - Crucible Theatre, Sarah - Assassins – Union Theatre, Jane - Absurd Person Singular – Leicester Curve, Mam - Saturday Night and Sunday Morning – Manchester Theatre Royal, Various - Royal National Theatre - Candide, Summerfolk, Merchant of Venice, Honk!, Villains Opera, Rosie - Mamma Mia International Tour, Frau Lina Rose - The Physicists – Singapore Rep Theatre, Snow Queen - Snow Queen – Singapore Esplanade Theatre, Florence Foster Jenkins - Souvenir - Singapore Rep Theatre, Various – Friday Night is Music Night with the BBC Light Orchestra – Drury Lane, The Condoes – Tabard Theatre, Mae West – Staying Alive - ITV, Company – Southwark Playhouse, Florence – Victoria – BBC, Isabella – Zorro! – Stratford East Theatre Royal, Jo – Peak Practice - BBC, Ugly Sister – Cinderella - Stratford East Theatre Royal, Mac - Mac&Eden – Old Joint Stock - Birmingham, Mac - Mac&Eden – Jo Good – BBC Radio London, Sarah – Roses of Eyam – Bridewell Theatre, Mapp - Mapp and Lucia – Covent Garden Opera House, Narrator – The Ugly Duckling – Singapore Rep Theatre
Vicki Manser (Era Specific Dance/Commercial Jazz)
Vicki trained at the Urdang Academy graduating with a BA Honours Degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre in 2014. Theatre credits include; Regina in Rock of Ages (UK Tour), Katherine Howard in Six (UK Tour), Alternate Carole in Beautiful the Carole King Musical (UK Tour), Katherine Howard and previous Alternate in Six (Arts Theatre London), Swing in Bat Out of Hell (Dominion Theatre), u/s Carole King and Genie Klein in Beautiful the Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre), u/s Rasa, Mrs Davies/Marsha, Peggy, Joyce and Gwen in Sunny Afternoon (Harold Pinter Theatre).
Other professional credits include BBC's Proms in the Park (Hyde Park) and ITV's This Morning with the cast of Bat Out Of Hell, Magic at the Musicals with the cast of Sunny Afternoon (The Royal Albert Hall) and a featured dancer for BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. Since 2020, Vicki has written and released her own music. She had 5 singles reach number 1 in UK country music charts on Itunes with her debut single 'Pick Me Up' reaching number 9 in the over charts. Her debut EP, 'Playtimes Over' also reached number 1 in the Itunes country music charts. She is now releasing music with her band First Time Flyers and since launching in January 2023, they have played sold out headline shows in London and C2C festival at the o2. They recently opened for Bruce Springsteen at BST Hyde Park and are embarking on their first headline UK tour in September 2023.
Benjamin Love (Ballet and Contemporary)
Ben, born in the heart of Nairobi,Kenya, moved to the UK with his mother at the tender age of 9. Growing up in Nottingham. Ben was initially scouted to be a professional footballer Everton Football Club and excelled in the sports; however, a great passion was tugging at his heart and mind. At the age of 16, a performance by the Dance Theatre of Harlem, inspired him to begin his training in Ballet and what he found was a love and talent for dance. Ben was offered a scholarship at the Rambert School & Arts Education School in London and studied ballet & contemporary dance in New York.
He took this opportunity to thrive and nurture his growing talent in Ballet training and later formed Ballet Soul Company to infuse his love of Ballet / Contemporary Dance with his Kenyan roots, Nottingham upbringing and the multicultural influences of London.
Ben became the first black male lead dancer with major European ballet companies including the Portuguese National Ballet, London City Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, Norwegian National Ballet. Being a dancer himself, Ben saw the market gap for diversity in repertuar for black and Asian in ballet Contemporary Dance - education and representation and that drove him to work hard to establish Ballet Soul and it's educational programs.
Daisy Jackman (Singing Technique)
Daisy Jackaman is a Singer/Songwriter and Musician from Colchester, Essex. She was accepted to Berklee College Of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and later trained for a year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, studying a BA(Hons)Jazz. Many of her songs have reached the finals of the UK Songwriting Contest and in July 2019, Daisy appeared on BBC Introducing Radio with her song, 'Changes'. She has performed across the Costa Del Sol, Spain performing at venues such as El Oceano alongside Frankie Burke (a lead singer of the 1970's soul band, Heatwave), Max Beach Club and Olivia's (owned by Elliot Wright of TOWIE). In the UK, She has also performed alongside artists such as James Pearson, Alex Garnett and Natalie Williams.
Daisy has been learning about the Estill Model since 2012 and has been training with Anne-Marie Speed since 2017. She is currently on the Estill Pathway to becoming a Master in Vocal Anatomy. Daisy regularly performs at venues and events across Essex, Suffolk and London as a solo artist, with bands and as a part of a duo. Teaching is Daisy's passion; she currently teaches music in a primary school, 1-2-1s - both privately and in a school setting, at Performing Arts schools Stagecoach & TAPA and has given music workshops in a school in Dubai. Her favourite quote is, 'Everyone has a beautiful voice' - Jo Estill.
Simon Lambert (Acting through Song/Ensemble Singing/Music Theory
Simon graduated from Leeds College of Music with a BA (Hons) in Jazz Studies. He has since worked on a Musical Director and keys player on a wide range of shows in London, across the UK and Europe. Simon has also been a Musical Director for Qdos/Crossroads' pantomimes for over 10 years. He is currently the dep. MD on La Bamba (UK Tour), cover MD on the The Rocky Horror Show (UK and International Tour) and dep. Keyboard player on The Bodyguard (UK Tour).
Simon was shortlisted for a Best Musical Direction award by the 'Also Recognised Award' panel for his work on Charles Miller and Tim Sanders' critically acclaimed The Return of the Soldier (Jermyn Street Theatre, London). Other credits as Musical Director include: Sister Act (Curve, Leicester); Bugle Boy (UK
Tour); Chess (Union Theatre, London); The Fix (Union Theatre, London); John & Jen (Delfont Room, Prince of Wales Theatre, London); Equally (Cockpit Theatre, London). As Associate Musical Director: Sister Act (UK Tour). As Assistant Musical Director: The Commitments (UK Tour). As Conductor: Chicago (NAMCO/Royal Caribbean) Keyboards: School of Rock (UK Tour, dep.); Motown the Musical (UK Tour, dep.); Dusty (UK Tour, dep.); Shrek(UK Tour, dep.), Happy Days (UK Tour, dep.); The Color Purple (Menier Chocolate Factory, London, dep.).