Strive, Thrive, Arrive - How to Survive in the Entertainment Industry

Strive, Thrive, Arrive - How to Survive in the Entertainment Industry

Have you ever thought you could survive or thrive with a career in entertainment? This is my story – starting as a dancer, then West End shows, progressing to stand-up comedy, television, film and finally corporate and cabaret work. It was far from easy and I worked with many famous people along the way, but some weren’t always as ‘lovely’ as their perceived public image. If you really want to ‘make it’ you need to be prepared to do lots of work for nothing whatsoever and spend your ‘free time’ networking. There are many injuries and struggles along the way and this book will illustrate just how difficult it can be. I worked very hard and the hard work did luckily pay off to some extent for me.  I hope that you will enjoy my story.  

About the Author: Lesley started dancing classes when she was just two-and-a-half years old and went to full-time ballet boarding school at the age of 14. She left when she was 17 and her first job as a professional dancer was as a showgirl in Monte Carlo where she gained her full Equity Card – needed in those days to work in the West End. After pantomime, summer seasons, and touring musicals she eventually did hit the West End after finally having just enough singing ability.  

She found she was given more comedy parts in these shows, and after doing a comedy sketch show, where she also found out she could do ‘impressions’, she decided to try her hand at stand-up by starting off at ‘stag nights’ and eventually doing open spots on the London Comedy Circuit. Although gaining a few paid open spots she didn’t really succeed in cracking this but with the impressions it evolved into a very successful career on the ‘lookalike’ circuit.