The Show People Podcast With Andrew Keates

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham.
This is part two of an in-depth conversation with comedian, writer, actor, presenter, children’s author, documentary maker and charity founder Rosie Jones.
One of the boldest and most distinctive voices in British comedy, Rosie has appeared on The Last Leg, Live at the Apollo, QI, Taskmaster, Question Time, 8 Out of 10 Cats and many more. She is also the creator, co-writer and star of the Channel 4 sitcom Pushers and the founder of The Rosie Jones Foundation.
In this urgent, candid and frequently riotous second instalment, Rosie reflects on the television appearance that changed her career and the complicated pressure of being expected to represent disabled people through her comedy. She charts her journey from feeling that every joke had to address her disability, through a period of refusing to discuss identity altogether, to finding a balance that allows her to be funny, political and unapologetically herself.
Rosie speaks powerfully about appearing on Question Time, the ableist abuse and death threats that followed, and why she eventually stepped away from social media to protect her mental health. She discusses therapy with a counsellor who also has cerebral palsy, the importance of surrounding herself with supportive people, and the strength she has found in admitting that living with a disability can sometimes be extraordinarily difficult.
The conversation also explores Rosie’s experiences working with The Last Leg, the urgent need for more disability-led television and the creation of her Channel 4 sitcom Pushers. Rosie explains why she fought for a predominantly disabled ensemble, meaningful representation behind the camera and an access coordinator who could ensure that every member of the company felt heard and supported.
Rosie then shares the deeply personal mission behind The Rosie Jones Foundation, which provides people living with cerebral palsy with counselling delivered by therapists who share that lived experience. She discusses the stigma surrounding mental health support, the Foundation’s extraordinary achievement in funding 1,000 counselling sessions and why this work may ultimately become the proudest achievement of her life.
In a moving final section, Andrew and Rosie discuss recovery, shame, addiction, community care and the forces that divide queer and disabled people. Together, they consider what it means to look after one another, speak up during a hostile political climate and become the adults their younger selves so desperately needed to see.
Content note: This episode includes discussion of ableist language, online abuse and death threats, mental health, addiction, suicidal thoughts and discrimination.
Episode Highlights Include:
• Rosie’s first appearance on 8 Out of 10 Cats and the television moment that changed her career
• The pressure of representing disabled people and finding a balance between comedy, identity and activism
• The ableist abuse and death threats that followed her Question Time appearance
• Why Rosie stepped away from social media to protect her mental health
• Finding transformative support from a counsellor who also has cerebral palsy
• Working with The Last Leg and the urgent need for more disability-led television
• Creating Pushers with a predominantly disabled ensemble and meaningful representation behind the camera
• Why accessible working practices make television better for everybody
• The mission of The Rosie Jones Foundation and its lived-experience-led counselling
• Funding 1,000 counselling sessions for people living with cerebral palsy
• Andrew and Rosie on mental health, recovery, shame, community care and refusing to remain silent
• What the younger Rosie would think of her life today, and her definitive answer about disabled people having sex
Like and Subscribe
Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released!
Support Us
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us

Sponsors & Supporters:
Theataccounts: The entertainment industry's trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance.
Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts.
Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company
theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_
Photography by Sean Lindsell
@skl.photog on Instagram
Audio and Stage Management by Liam Chaplin
@djliamchaplin on Instagram
Special Thanks
Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers.

Rosie’s Hair Styled
Louis Wilson
Queer Theatre
This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases and events.
Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, @Threads @QueerTheatreUK.
Follow The Show People Podcast
Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK
www.queertheatre.co.uk
Follow Andrew Keates
Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates
www.andrewkeates.co.uk
Follow Rosie Jones
Instagram: @josierones
www.rosiejonescomedy.com
www.rosiejonesfoundation.com
Until next time - love always, Ax

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham.
This is part one of an in-depth conversation with comedian, writer, actor, presenter, children’s author, documentary maker and charity founder Rosie Jones.
One of the boldest and most distinctive voices in British comedy, Rosie has appeared on The Last Leg, Live at the Apollo, QI, Taskmaster, Question Time and many more. She is also the creator, co-writer and star of Channel 4 sitcom Pushers, the author of The Amazing Edie Eckhart, founder of The Rosie Jones Foundation, and the driving force behind the powerful documentary Rosie Jones: Am I a R*tard?.
In this candid, moving and frequently riotous conversation, Rosie discusses growing up in Bridlington with ataxic cerebral palsy, the love and encouragement of her family, and her experiences of ableism from a very young age. She charts her journey from working behind the scenes as a television researcher and joke writer to finding her own voice as a stand-up comedian.
Rosie also explores the extraordinary precision behind her comedy, the performers who shaped her work, and how she transformed the rhythm of her speech into one of her greatest creative strengths. In a deeply personal conversation, Andrew and Rosie discuss coming out, internalised ableism, the absence of positive queer-disabled representation, and learning that everyone deserves to be seen, celebrated and loved.
Episode Highlights Include:
• Growing up in Bridlington with ataxic cerebral palsy
• How Rosie’s parents encouraged her to believe she could become anything she wanted
• Her close relationship with her brother Oliver and his instinctive refusal to judge others
• Experiencing ableism from the age of four and understanding its impact later in life
• Why Rosie chose to confront the power of the R-word in her Channel 4 documentary
• Living with daily ableist abuse and refusing to allow cruelty to diminish her
• How the circumstances of her birth shaped her ambition and determination to live fully
• The assumptions people make about physical disability and intelligence
• The teachers who recognised Rosie’s talent and the importance of accessible education
• Her lifelong admiration for children’s author Jacqueline Wilson
• Working behind the scenes as a television researcher and joke writer
• Writing lies for Would I Lie to You? and jokes for major comedy programmes
• Her spontaneous first stand-up performance in front of eight people at a small comedy club
• How Victoria Wood, Billy Connolly and Tig Notaro influenced her comic voice
• Rosie’s “jigsaw” theory of joke-writing and why she considers every single syllable
• Turning the natural rhythm of her speech into a powerful comedic advantage
• The three questions comedians should ask before making a joke about somebody else
• Her gradual journey towards coming out as a gay, disabled woman
• How a lack of queer-disabled representation affected Rosie’s belief that she was worthy of love
• Overcoming internalised ableism and finding a happy, loving relationship
• Andrew and Rosie on shame, visibility, resilience and living unapologetically
• And many stories about comedy, writing, identity, disability, queerness and finding your voice
Like and Subscribe
Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released!
Support Us
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us

Sponsors & Supporters:
Theataccounts: The entertainment industry's trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance.
Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts.
Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company
theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_
Photography by Sean Lindsell
@skl.photog on Instagram
Audio and Stage Management by Liam Chaplin
@djliamchaplin on Instagram
Special Thanks
Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers.

Rosie’s Hair Styled
Louis Wilson
Queer Theatre
This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases and events.
Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, @Threads @QueerTheatreUK.
Follow The Show People Podcast
Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK
www.queertheatre.co.uk
Follow Andrew Keates
Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates
www.andrewkeates.co.uk
Follow Rosie Jones
Instagram: @josierones
www.rosiejonescomedy.com
www.rosiejonesfoundation.com
Until next time - love always, Ax

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham.
This is part two of an in-depth conversation with West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis.
Widely recognised as one of the great leading ladies of British musical theatre, Kerry Ellis has played some of the most iconic roles in the West End, on Broadway and beyond. Best known for becoming the first British Elphaba in Wicked, Kerry’s extraordinary career includes originating Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You, playing Fantine in Les Misérables, Ellen in Miss Saigon, Nancy in Oliver!, Grizabella in Cats, and appearing in My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, Chess, The War of the Worlds and many more.
Episode Highlights Include:
• Does Kerry ever get sick of talking about Wicked?
• Kerry’s relationship with Idina Menzel
• Kerry’s approach to playing Elphaba and finding the comedy in the role
• The reality of green makeup, glitter and becoming Elphaba night after night
• The physical and emotional demands of performing Wicked eight shows a week
• Backstage shenanigans with Oliver Tompsett, Diane Pilkington and the Wicked company
• The personal cost of playing such a demanding role - 8 shows a week!
• Why actors and theatre can save lives through escapism, community and connection
• What Kerry has stolen from shows, and how exactly you break a broom
• The key differences between working in the West End and on Broadway
• Kerry’s experience working on the Wicked film with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
• Kerry’s Dalmatian puppy and her connection to Cruella
• Motherhood, working in the West End and the challenges of modern culture
• Regrets, happiness and learning what really matters
• Kerry’s advice to young musical theatre students
• And many more stories from both Andrew and Kerry about life, theatre, resilience and working in the performing arts.
Like and Subscribe
Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released!
Support Us
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us

Sponsors & Supporters:
Theataccounts: The entertainment industry's trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance.
Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts.
Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company
theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_
Photography by Sean Lindsell
@skl.photog on Instagram
Audio and Stage Management by Liam Chaplin
@djliamchaplin on Instagram
Special Thanks
Adam Deamer, Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers.
Queer Theatre
This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases and events.
Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, @Threads @QueerTheatreUK.
Follow The Show People Podcast
Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK
www.queertheatre.co.uk
Follow Andrew Keates
Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates
www.andrewkeates.co.uk
Follow Kerry Ellis
Instagram: @kerryellis79
www.kerryellis.com
Thank you for your support.
Until next time - love always, Ax

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham.
This is part one of an-depth conversation with West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis.
Widely recognised as one of the great leading ladies of British musical theatre, Kerry Ellis has played some of the most iconic roles in the West End, on Broadway and beyond. Best known for becoming the first British Elphaba in Wicked, Kerry’s extraordinary career includes originating Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You, playing Fantine in Les Misérables, Ellen in Miss Saigon, Nancy in Oliver!, Grizabella in Cats, and appearing in My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, Chess, The War of the Worlds and many more.
In this conversation, Kerry discusses her journey from training at Laine Theatre Arts to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in musical theatre, her life-changing collaboration with Queen legend Brian May, the demands of leading major West End and Broadway shows, and what it takes to sustain a career at the very top of the industry, as well as a touching conversation between Andrew and Kerry about their shared ADHD diagnosis.
Episode Highlights Include:
• How Kerry’s childhood and training shaped the performer she became
• Her early days at Laine Theatre Arts and breaking into the West End
• Being discovered by Brian May while understudying Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at the National Theatre.
• Her early experiences of being thrown on-stage with little to no rehearsal.
• Originating Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You
• Playing Fantine in Les Misérables and other major musical theatre roles
• Playing Grizabella in Cats and the pressure of singing Memory night after night.
• Her long-running creative partnership with Brian May
• The discipline required to lead major shows
• How ADHD affects both the lives of Andrew Keates and Kerry Ellis.
• And many stories from both Andrew and Kerry about life, theatre, resilience and working in the performing arts.
Like and Subscribe
Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released!
Support Us
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us

Sponsors & Supporters:
Theataccounts: The entertainment industry's trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance.
Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts.
Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company
theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_
Photography by Sean Lindsell
@skl.photog on Instagram
Audio and Stage Management by Liam Chaplin
@djliamchaplin on Instagram
Special Thanks
Adam Deamer, Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers.
Queer Theatre
This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases and events.
Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, @Threads @QueerTheatreUK.
Follow The Show People Podcast
Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK
www.queertheatre.co.uk
Follow Andrew Keates
Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates
www.andrewkeates.co.uk
Follow Kerry Ellis
Instagram: @kerryellis79
www.kerryellis.com
Thank you for your support.
Until next time - love always, Ax

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham. This is the second part of an in-depth conversation with Olivier Award winning actor and writer Jack Holden.
Recorded just before Jack travelled to America for the Off-Broadway transfer of Kenrex, and before he went on to win the Olivier Award for Best Actor, this conversation captures him at a thrilling turning point in his career. Best known for writing and performing Cruise, his acclaimed one-man play about Soho and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, Jack discusses the creation of Kenrex, the true-crime thriller he co-wrote with Ed Stambollouian, in which he delivers a virtuosic solo performance playing multiple characters.
Episode Highlights Include:
• Creating his West End smash hit, Cruise and the challenges writing an AIDS play.
• The physical and vocal techniques he uses for both Kenrex and Cruise
• How he feels after Kenrex received six Olivier Award nominations
• His experiences adapting Alan Hollinghurst’s The Line of Beauty.
• Playing a real person in James Graham’s Ink
• Working with Sean Bean in Marriage
• What went wrong with the TV show Ten Percent
• How he feels about working in America as a gay actor.
• And many stories from both Andrew and Jack about working in the performing arts.
Like and Subscribe
Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released!
Support Us
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us

Sponsors & Supporters:
Theataccounts: The entertainment industry's trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance.
Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts.
Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company
theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_
Photography by Paul Madeley
paulmadeleystudio.com | @paulmadeleystudio
Special Thanks
to Liam Chaplin, Adam Deamer, Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of the Two Brewers.
Queer Theatre
This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases and events.
Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, @Threads @QueerTheatreUK.
Follow The Show People Podcast
Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK
www.queertheatre.co.uk
Follow Andrew Keates
Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates
www.andrewkeates.co.uk
Follow Jack Holden & Kenrex
Instagram: @1jackholden, @kenrextheplay
Thank you for your support.
Until next time - love always, Ax