"I've brought major musical shows to the UK, as well as Australia, the Middle East and North America"

Where are you from?
Derbyshire

What do you do?
Self-employed producer/director of Theatre Productions Ltd

What was your very first role in theatre?
Juvenile lead (acting)

What else have you done in theatre?
As an actor, I had many West End credits, including the part of Mickey in Blood Brothers, and the lead role in Wife Begins at Forty. I have toured with major shows such as Joseph and Adrian Mole.
I produced and directed my first show Lullabies of Broadway at London’s Players Theatre, and have produced and promoted many touring shows in theatres and concert halls throughout the UK and Europe, including Putting on the Ritz, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Legends–The Tribute, The Sinatra Years, Talking Heads and 20th Century Musicals I, II and III. I produced the 80s musical One Step Beyond, and produced and directed The Complete Wives of Henry VIII.

Have you got qualifications?
Three O-levels (GCSEs from the olden days). I failed drama GCSE.

What did you do before you worked in theatre?
Salesman

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A performer and famous!

What do you do all day?
My company, Theatre Productions Ltd, currently has many shows in production, including The Naked Truth, Christmas Crooners and A Viennese Strauss Gala which is playing to packed audiences all over the UK and Ireland, and, of course, Over the Rainbow–the Eva Cassidy Story and The Billie Holiday Story.

I have brought major musical shows to the UK, as well as taking my own productions to such places as Australia, the Middle East and North America.

A typical day starts at 9am when I arrive at the office and check my messages. I look at sales figures and have meetings about everything from marketing to casting.

What’s the best thing about your job?
Creating magic

And the worst?
Dealing with performers who are absent because of illness

What’s your dream job in theatre?
Producing a West End show

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Have fire in your belly and passion in what you do

Stephen Leatherland on the Guardian’s theatre and performing arts blog