At the start of the month our Social Media Manager Aoife was given the fantastic opportunity to see Hamilton on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City!
Hamilton is an American Musical that is based on the biography of the American Revolutionary, statesmen and Founded Father of The United States, Alexander Hamilton. The Musical tells Hamilton’s story through dance and song however the main style of storytelling, which creates the shows ultimate uniqueness, is through quick-witted rap. Beloved by many, Hamilton received a record-setting 16 nominations in 13 categories, ultimately winning 11 awards at the Tony Awards, the second-most for a single production in Tony history.
Aoife at the Richard Rodgers Theatre before the show.
We caught up with Aoife to find out more about her Broadway experience.
How did you find the show?
“It was incredible. Funny, witty and emotional. I was immediately drawn to the powerful voices from the moment the curtains opened and effortlessly followed the story from then onwards”
What did you think of the use of Rap as a form of storytelling?
“I had never seen a Musical where the actors used rap to perform their lines, it was unbelievably impressive. The actors articulated every word perfectly while keeping with the flow of the song and this really kept me locked in throughout. At times, they would completely switch the rhythm of their performance to suit the tone of the conversation, making each piece feel alive and moving at the right pace.”
Do you have a favourite song from the show?
“This is a tough one! All of the songs are catchy and I have had the Hamilton Soundtrack on repeat for weeks but I would have to choose ‘Satisfied’ as my favourite song.”
Would you recommend the show?
“Definitely! It is worth the hunt to find tickets! There is no show quite like it. As well as the beautiful costumes and set design, the thought behind each lyric and dance move powerfully gave me an insight of the History behind Alexander Hamilton. I had goosebumps throughout and would love to see it again in the West End.”
The ‘must see’ Hamilton is still playing on Broadway and in the West End so be sure to check it out if you get the chance!
“For me, franchising with Jigsaw has been the most amazing journey. Like all journeys, its had it’s ups and downs with unexpected lockdowns and social to name one! However, the good times FAR outweigh the bad. I now have the most amazing and ever evolving team, three wonderful schools and hundreds of smiling children on a Saturday.
I wouldn’t say that running your own business is for everyone, but franchising with Jigsaw gives you a massive head start. Despite being the only Jigsaw in Wales, and the first franchise to open outside London’s surrounding counties, I have always felt supported.
Nikki and the head office team make you feel like your voice will be heard and considered. You’re never alone when times are tough.
Unlike most of the other franchisees, I had no experience of working with Jigsaw before buying my first territory. Despite this, I now have lots of friends in the network and have felt welcomed from the start. Jigsaw is now my work, passion and extended family.
As a parent myself, I know how difficult and impossible having children can feel. You are constantly busy, being pulled in multiple directions and end up feeling like you have accomplished nothing! I love the fact that Jigsaw gives parents a window of ‘me time’ on a Saturday. The other plus is that having loads of lovely children together being creative is much easier than looking after your own. 5 years in, I have Jigsaw kids that started on my very first day and are now flourishing in our main school for children aged 7 – 18. It’s an absolute joy watching them grow up, making shows and presentations very proud moments!” – Philippa
We talk with Michael, Jigsaw’s first franchisee, about his franchise success.
Franchise Success Case Study
How did you hear about Jigsaw Performing Arts?
I worked for Jigsaw as a drama teacher in 2006 when I was still at drama school. I think it was an advert in The Stage!
What attracted you to a Jigsaw Franchise?
The opportunity to run my own business was too good to pass up. I have all the positives of running my own business but with the support network and existing good name of Jigsaw.
When did you launch? How is it going?
We launched in January 2014 and things are going really well. The school is growing term on term and the students we have are brilliant!
What does a normal week look like?
Sunday is my main day as I manage the school and make sure all parents and students receive first class customer service and classes are run to a high standard. During the week I have the freedom to fit the admin around my life.
Did you have performing arts experience?
I trained as an actor and director so the creative side of Jigsaw was never a worry.
Have you run your own business before?
I have been running my own part-time business for the past five years. The beauty of the Jigsaw software system is that the office work that I need to do for my school can fit easily around my other office admin – so to be honest I’ve noticed a very small difference to the week work load! But am definitely seeing the long term benefits of having my own Jigsaw school!
How did you finance your franchise?
The opportunity to open a franchise coincided with us moving house so I was fortunate to be able to see that I could afford it – and in a couple of years time I’ll be able to afford a new bathroom on the house rather than straight away!
What is the best thing about running a Jigsaw Franchise?
The freedom to work my own hours in the week and the fantastic support I get from head office. I don’t feel like I’m on my own!
What is the most challenging thing about running your own business?
It’s hard to feel that you’ve ever done enough when it comes to marketing, building the school’s profile, etc. So until the students walk in to the school on the first day of term – it is a bit nail-biting!
What are the main benefits of being part of a franchise network?
Jigsaw has a very strong word of mouth following which has been highly beneficial to my franchise. Many customers were delighted to find a new local branch. The strength of the existing brand was worth every penny. I would never have been able to achieve this on my own.
If you want to open your very own Jigsaw Performing Arts School, or it has been a lifelong dream to offer engaging performing arts classes for children, read more about our franchise opportunities or email franchise@jigsaw-arts.co.uk for more information.
We couldn’t be more excited to offer franchise discovery meetings to prospect franchisees! You might come from a performing arts background. You might want to work with children. You might be looking for a flexible business that you can fit around family or other existing commitments.
Have you ever thought about running your own performing arts school?
Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools
Jigsaw has been bringing the joy of performing arts to new generations of children and teenagers for 25 years and now has over 30 schools across England and Wales.
While some children join Jigsaw to build a foundation for career in the performing arts, others do so to unlock hidden talents, overcome shyness or increase their confidence and social skills. Above all, students enjoy having fun through drama, singing and dance classes, while making lots of new friends.
Joining a franchise network means avoiding many of the pitfalls of starting a business from scratch. There is a proven business model and there are systems in place to make the difficult parts of running a business – such as administration, branding, and marketing – easier.
Jigsaw has been running since 1995, and new franchisees become the beneficiaries of all the experience accrued since then. The initial training and ongoing support can make all the difference compared to going at it alone!
Some of our latest blog posts have highlighted the experiences of our newest franchisees. Read more about Shaun, the new owner of Jigsaw Sevenoaks, and Megan, the new owner of Jigsaw Ilford and become inspired…
Jigsaw’s Franchise Discovery Day
The next Jigsaw Franchise Discovery Day is on Wednesday 28th October 2020. Come and meet us (or zoom us if you cannot get to London!) for a relaxed and informal chat about our franchise package, with our friendly and approachable franchise team.
Filmmaking at Jigsaw Brentwood has been so much fun! This term, our 7+ years students took on the role of filmmakers by devising, writing and shooting a short film with the help of their fantastic teachers.
Jigsaw Brentwood are experiencing their first technique term since opening last September and their 7–18-year-old students who attend on Sunday mornings are having a great time getting stuck into developing different skills and techniques in singing, dance and drama in preparation for their first show term this September.
We caught up with the 7+ years students to discuss their film project!
What have you been working on this term?
Filmmaking at Jigsaw Brentwood! We have been writing our own thriller short film with the help of our teachers Yas and Joe! We have been writing our script and working on developing our characters in class. We have also been looking at locations within the venue to carry out the filming.
What is the film about?
It’s about a group of friends who are telling a ghost story about a girl who goes missing… Though, the twist is that this becomes true, and one of the characters goes missing!
What are your plans for filming?
We are currently writing our script and in the next few weeks we will start shooting the film!
What have you enjoyed most?
Working as a team while filmmaking! At Jigsaw Brentwood we call ourselves ‘Team’ and it has really helped us work together on this project.
We cannot wait to see Jigsaw Brentwood‘s short film! Keep your eyes peeled on their social media to see the results @jigsawbrentwood!
To learn more about the singing, dance and drama performing arts classes for children aged 3-18 at Jigsaw Brentwood, click here!
As much as we love clever revivals of the classics and long-running blockbuster shows, there’s been a wave of great new musicals in the last two and a half decades. Here are our picks for our favourite new musicals since 1995 (sorry Les Mis)!
As much as we love clever revivals of the classics and long-running blockbuster shows, there’s been a wave of great new musicals in the last two and a half decades…
Our Favourite Musicals of the Last 25 Years…
8. Once
Based on the independent Irish 2007 film of the same name, Once the musical maintained its stripped-down feel. It’s a story about a guy and a girl – literally, “Guy” and “Girl” – and their friendship formed over busking and music. The cast pull double-duty, also playing their instruments.
It’s an utterly charming experience, even as it explores themes of loneliness and lost loves.
7 Dear Evan Hansen
Premiering in 2015, the full impact of this new musical is yet to be seen – it only made it to the UK in late 2019. But the combination of pop music and serious subject matter, reflecting the difficult experiences of high school and being a teenager, has seriously resonated with audiences, making it a worthy addition on this list.
A film adaptation is in the works…
6 Hairspray
With 1960s R&B-influenced songs, Hairspray tells the story of a high school student who dreams of appearing on a local dance TV show. However, behind the catchy songs (we still have “Good morning Baltimore!” stuck in our heads), colourful sets and the TV smiles of The Corny Collins Show are some serious themes about body image and racial discrimination.
It was turned into a fun film in 2007 that more than did the show justice.
5 Billy Elliot the Musical
Another musical based on a film, but when the result is this great, we can’t complain! Set amidst the miners’ strike, the eponymous Billy Elliot is a young boy with a passion for ballet, much to the consternation of his father.
Elton John wrote the music for the stage version, none other than Tom Holland (the future Spider-Man!) played Billy for a time on the West End, and the musical’s powerful message of acceptance is still relevant today.
4 Matilda the Musical
Dennis Kelly adapted and Tim Minchon wrote music and lyrics for Matilda, based on the classic children’s book by Roald Dahl. It’s a powerful and timeless story of a neglected child, her unappreciated intelligence, her hidden powers and friendship with her teacher.
It feels like a West End institution by now, so it’s hard to believe that this clever part-prequel spin on The Wizard of Oz only premiered in 2003. It follows the story of two friends and how one becomes the Wicked Witch of the West and the other Glinda the Good Witch.
The Wicked team have gone all-in on educational resources and even a writing competition, which promise to keep this musical alive in children’s imaginations for years to come. Plus, the stand-out song ‘Defying Gravity’ still gives us shivers!
2 Hamilton
The American history is maybe a little lost on us in the UK – but there’s no denying the sheer fun of being in “the room where it happens” for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s rap-musical. Hamilton is now a global phenomenon, and Miranda has since written music for Moana and appeared in Mary Poppins Returns.
Now there’s news that a filmed version – with the original Broadway cast no less – is coming to our screens from Disney!
1 The Lion King
Just under the cut-off (it premiered in 1997), Julie Taymor’s adaptation of the Disney film has become a classic in its own right.
The way the performers interpret animal movements through puppetry was a game-changer and it’s still breath-taking to see on stage. Of course, the songs retained from the film – music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice – aren’t half-bad either!
(And Jigsaw Agency‘s Theo played Young Simba for over three years!)
What are your favourite musicals of recent years? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!
Jigsaw Performing Arts, established 1995, is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page.
This blog post is written by Rachel, franchisee of Jigsaw Harlow.
“An Exciting Whirlwind of a Journey” with Jigsaw Harlow!
After moving away from a career as an actress in the performing arts industry, I struggled for a long time to find something that was as exciting and brought me as much joy as being on stage did. I first began teaching alongside bar jobs and then office work, and my weekdays became monotonous and exhausting. People used to ask me why I liked working at the weekend so much more and I soon realised that working for Jigsaw was the only part of my working week that brought me any joy.
Andy and Nikki could not have been more supportive and from an initial conversation to signing on the dotted line a year or so later, never did I once feel pressured to make the purchase. For a while I struggled to decide which territory I wanted to buy and they were keen to ensure I made the right decision before me, even if it meant things took a little more time, so nothing ever felt rushed.
I eventually decided on Harlow and so began an exciting whirlwind of a journey to open up my school. The week long training programme franchisees receive is second to none and contains a wealth of knowledge from colleagues who really have seen and experienced all you can from a performing arts school business. It is easy after that week to feel a little overwhelmed at the prospect of opening just a few months later. However the Head Office team truly follow through on their promise and since that week, their constant support through any anxieties, issues or worries has been there 24/7, including the launch day of the school.
It is important to say that as well as the anxieties, the Jigsaw team in its entirety are also there to share in the joys of starting this business. Whether it’s your very first booking or a fantastic first end of term presentation, they really do feel as excited and happy as you.
Purchasing a franchise with Jigsaw Arts has changed and turned my life around from an overload of work and overtime to owning a business that I can run in my own time, that is as equally brilliantly challenging as it is rewarding. Whether you have a performing arts background, or you desire a change of lifestyle, I can not recommend their services enough. Jigsaw truly is a family.
Find out more about Jigsaw Harlow and read more about Rachel’s Jigsaw journey here:
If you want to open your very own Jigsaw Performing Arts School, or it has been a lifelong dream to offer engaging performing arts classes for children, read more about our franchise package or email franchise@jigsaw-arts.co.uk for more information.
Whether it’s a challenging new work, a literary classic, a spectacular musical, or a good old-fashioned panto, the theatre can offer something for everyone. And a good theatre trip can be unforgettable!
This is the principle behind ‘Kids Week’ in London, which returns again for 2019.
Despite the name, it actually runs for the entire month of August, during which a child who’s 16 or under can go to any participating show for free, where tickets are available, as long as they’re accompanied by a full paying adult.
Make sure to check the show’s age recommendation to make sure it’s suitable!
And, if you’re after a taster of all the fantastic musicals London has to offer, West End Live is also returning for 2019. Over 50 performances will be taking place in Trafalgar Square across the weekend. Find out more here: www.westendlive.co.uk/
But what about theatre the rest of the year?
More and more, theatre is becoming fun and accessible for everyone.
Earlier in 2019, Emilia was the first West End play to have a ‘parent and baby’ performance. This is something cinemas have been doing for a while, so it’s great to see the idea start to catch on in theatre.
The play was about the Renaissance poet Emilia Bassano. Some believe she was the “dark lady” Shakespeare mentions in many of his sonnets. She was also the first woman in England to publish a full poetry collection under her own name! The play flips Shakespearean tradition on its head by having an all-female cast.
Most theatres have ticket schemes for young people, offering special rates or discounts. Then there are ticket lotteries, which, as the name implies, are a bit of a gamble. It’s fun and easy to enter, but you have to stay on your toes as you never know if or when you’ll get a ticket. It’s good publicity for the shows, but it also helps bring people into the theatre who might not normally consider it.
While London has traditionally been the centre for theatre in the UK, that’s also been changing, with more touring productions and more money and talent investing in regional theatres than ever before.
If cost or travel are prohibitive, many theatres have also installed camera systems that can beam live relays of stage productions into cinemas. It’s not an identical experience to being in the theatre, but it comes very close. You can catch performances from the National Theatre, the Globe, and even Broadway from the comfort of your local cinema.
And finally, local amateur dramatics societies can also prove to be an unexpectedly rich source of good theatre. (Adds Marketing & Office Assistant Martin: “I still remember going to local productions of Daphne du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’ and Thomas Hardy’s ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ as a child. Heavy stuff, but it was thrilling seeing them come alive on stage!”)
Really, they’re never too young to start enjoying a theatre trip!
Kids Week runs through the month of August at participating London shows. Find out more here.
Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page.
The sun is still shining and it feels as though summer is in the air, so it’s hard to believe that it’s time for the Autumn Term 2024! Jigsaw Arts are excited to offer performing arts classes at East Barnet School on Saturday afternoons for children aged 3-4 5-6 and 7-18.
Jigsaw Arts offer classes in East Barnet at East Barnet School on Saturday afternoons.
This October, children aged 3-18 across Barnet will be tying up their laces and donning their Jigsaw uniforms for another exciting term of drama, singing and dance! Children take part in singing, dance and drama classes, divided into age appropriate groups. Sibling discount available to youngest student and two-week trial available to new starters! Learn more about the weekend performing arts classes in East Barnet here.
“I can’t wait for the Autumn Term to get underway. We have an exciting show term planned for the students at Jigsaw Barnet. I’m looking forward to meeting lots of new faces and seeing our regular Jigsaw family on a Saturday afternoon!”. – Jigsaw Barnet School Owner and Manager Megan
To book a two week trial, visit www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk/book and come and join in the fun!
Get in touch with Manager Megan directly with any further questions to learn more about the singing, dance and drama classes at Jigsaw Performing Arts School Barnet – Barnet@jigsaw-arts.co.uk!
Dreamcoat Stars: Jigsaw Potters Bar and Barnet performance!
Dreamcoat Stars is a touring company that travels around the UK spreading the Christmas joy! Earlier this year, Jigsaw Potters Bar and Barnet students were approached by Keith Jack, the producer of Dreamcoat Stars, and invited to join the Dreamcoat choir this year. The students dedicated Wednesday evenings to rehearse weekly for a few months with Jigsaw Manager Megan in preparation for the performance.
When the day arrived, the students went to do a quick soundcheck where they practiced the staging of the performance with Keith and then later on it was showtime!
We spoke to School Manager Megan about the experience…
“The students at Jigsaw Potters Bar and Barnet were thrilled to be the only children performing to an audience on stage with the Dreamcoat Stars! The audience really loved the performances, it was really sweet to witness the magic come to life on stage. The students sang two numbers in the first half which were with the Dreamcoat Stars, a prologue and the Christmas classic ‘Holy Night’.
In act two, we all changed into Christmas jumpers and we had Christmas headwear and performed our own Christmas medley, with just the students on stage. Ending with the very popular Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoats song. It was so, so much fun!
The Jigsaw Potters Bar and Barnet students were so enthused with excitement. And so proud to have performed on stage with the Dreamcoat Stars. It was really beautiful to see the interactions between them on stage. What made the performance so special was that the students were made to be a real part of the performance with the Dreamcoat Stars, with high fives and clapping, getting the audience to cheer them on too.
During one of the rehearsals, we took headshots of the students which we placed at the entrance of the venue. So when parents walked in for the performance, they were welcomed with a lovely surprise! Parents were bursting with pride throughout the performances, we had one cry! It was such a fantastic experience and the students want to do it all over again!” – Megan
At the end of the performance, the Dreamcoat Stars visited the students in the dressing room backstage!
What a wonderful way to begin the Christmas festivities… until next time!
