Hurtwood: Beyond The Hill

Having interviewed many Hurtwood West End stars, James finds out what it is like to have a career behind the scenes in stage management. In this episode, he discusses technical theatre with Lucy Mason-Lockett, currently Deputy Stage Manager at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, working on Disney's new musical extravaganza 'Hercules'. James and Lucy discuss RADA and the productions she has wo...

Award winning composer and sound designer Alex Baranowski chats all things music with James Gaffney. In this episode Alex discusses the songwriting process and composing for different genres from major Netflix films and television shows to theatre productions and commercials. Known for his versatility, Alex has been nominated for a Tony Award on Broadway and has composed soundtracks...

Josie Ferguson, best-selling author of 'The Silence In Between' returns to Hurtwood. In this episode Josie talks to James about the process of writing her novel and being shortlisted for Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize. They discuss her initial career in publishing and how training as a clinical psychologist gave her an understanding of the complexity of human nature which she now e...

How do you set up your own AI company? Our next guest, recently named on the 'Forbes 30 under 30' Europe 2025 list, has done just that, launching 'Maiven' last year securing £1.8 million from investors. In this episode, Georgina reflects on how her remarkable career has developed since studying Engineering at Cambridge University, telling James all about designing Formula 1 racing c...

What is it like to be a lead role in the biggest musical in the West End? James sits down with Toby Miles, who was cast as Marius in 'Les Misérables' for his West End debut. In this episode, Toby comes back to Hurtwood to discuss auditions, Drama School and the many different leading roles that he has played. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James meets Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt (recently in the 'Forbes 30 under 30' list) who founded her colourful jewellery brand 'Bijoux de Mimi' straight after leaving Hurtwood. They discuss design, marketing and turning TikTok's favourite jewellery brand into a million-pound business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zara Brownless is probably the most dynamic student we have ever had at Hurtwood. Winner of ‘The Young Apprentice’ before she stepped through our doors, we had high hopes for Zara. She surpassed all expectations! In this episode James finds out about reading ‘Experimental Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics’ at Oxford University, giving TED Talks,   interviewing the CEO of TED and wor...

What is it like to be the Head of Performing Arts at the most creative school in England? Series 2 starts with James chatting to Doug Quinn who has been the busiest man at Hurtwood for two decades. Everything you want to know about the Performing Arts at the school, in this episode, Doug discusses what makes Hurtwood productions so famous, the rewards of a teaching career, being a housemaster and...

Country music is more popular than ever. In this episode, James speaks to country duo Ward Thomas who made chart history in 2016 by becoming the first UK country act to score a number one album.   Twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas discuss their journey from song writing at Hurtwood, to releasing a single with music legend James Blunt and ultimately to country music fame in Nashville and...

Our next guest, Ebiye Alaibe, is arguably the most charismatic student we have ever had at Hurtwood. Supremely talented academically, he was nothing short of a legend on both the stage and the sports fields. Ebiye talks with James about everything from working as a barrister, acting in films and his subsequent career in Maritime Logistics in Nigeria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

From Hurtwood to the O2 Arena. Our next guest is singer-songwriter Cassa Jackson whose songs have over 15 million streams and have been regularly played on Radio 1. In this episode, Cassa talks to James about breaking into the music industry, songwriting about relationships and what it’s like to perform in major arenas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you break into the film industry? Our next guest on Beyond the Hill is the award-winning film producer and director Finn Bruce. Finn is best known for producing Paramount Pictures film ‘Sumotherhood’ as well as directing and producing ‘Swede Caroline’ and the multi award-winning ‘Tucked’. In this episode, Finn reflects on how his remarkable career has developed since finding his passion at...

What is it like to be the lead in a hit West End musical? James sits down with Luke Brady, who played the starring role of Moses in ‘The Prince of Egypt’. As well as musical theatre, Luke has also appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and ‘Fresh Meat’ alongside Jack Whitehall. In this episode, Luke discusses his acting career, how he deals with auditions and how he keeps his...

How do you become a successful influencer and content creator?   In this episode, social media star Kate Elisabeth reflects on her journey from creating viral content about Hurtwood as a student to collaborating with some of the world’s biggest companies and even launching her own bikini brand. The popular fashion and lifestyle influencer also shares her key tips for success in this competitive in...

How do you become a successful entrepreneur?   Abbas Dayekh’s journey to founding one of Nigeria’s fastest growing companies, OyaNow, has not always been smooth but his success has been nothing short of remarkable.   In this episode, Abbas speaks about losing his mother’s savings in his first entrepreneurial adventure, the humble beginnings of OyaNow, how dealing with Covid revolutionised his comp...

What is it like to star in one of the world’s most famous murder mysteries?   In this episode, Katie Buchholz, the lead in Agatha Christie’s ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ talks about acting and her journey to the West End. James and Katie discuss all things Hurtwood, life at RADA and her different roles including ‘Jodie Kelly’ in EastEnders. They delve into how to manage nerves, getting into chara...

How do you create a school with nothing but an old Remington typewriter and an idea? In the inaugural episode of ‘Beyond the Hill’, Richard Jackson, the founder of Hurtwood House, takes us through the story of its foundation and development over the last 50 years and how it became the creative utopia that it is today. Find out more about Hurtwood House:  https://www.hurtwoodhouse.com/ Hosted on Ac...