Writing. Acting. Producing. Directing. Projects.
I was 7 years old when I was invited onto the stage at Wolverhampton Grand to meet Little and Large. Before my parents could even register whether I wanted to go up, I was already there, standing next to Sid Little, explaining to him how I had cut my little finger on the way to the panto. As I looked out into the darkness, I thought, "Here. This is where I’m supposed to be."
Shortly before I turned 12, I auditioned three times and won a place at Central Junior Television Workshop, which later became known as ITV Workshop and then, BAFTA winning, The Television Workshop -alumni from the Television Workshop includes Alison Hammond, Jack O’Connell, Vicky McLure and Oscar nominees and major award winners Felicity Jones and Samantha Morton. If you went there, you’ll understand—we were the luckiest kids in the world. We were a pool of young Midlands actors, from Birmingham and Nottingham, who got to explore all aspects of acting and be put forward for film, TV, theatre, and radio roles. And it was all free. You were there because of your talent, not because of whether your parents could afford it.
At 18, I signed with a big London agent and started working. I appeared in lots of TV shows, including EASTENDERS, THE BILL, HEARTBEAT, PEAK PRACTICE, HETTY WAINTHROPP INVESTIGATES, performed at the EDINBURGH FRINGE, the SWAN THEATRE in STRATFORD, and did various voice work for RADIO 4 and computer games.
I then took a break to have my family, and when my children were little, I set up my own drama school, DramaWorkshop. I was really keen for local children to have some of the opportunities I had at The Television Workshop.
As my children have grown older, I’ve returned to acting, starring in films such as THE HAPPY WANDERER and HETEROPHOBIA, and TV shows like THE STAND UP SKETCH SHOW on ITV. I also started working as a writer, a process I love because it allows me to create characters and tell stories. This, for me, is where my main passion lies. My play, ABOUT JACK, has led to the development of two television shows with a major production company.
Below are some of my projects. More projects incoming very soon…
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PROJECTS:
About Jack - Play - New Diorama, London
England, 1994. 19 year old Jack and his mother Sarah live a simple life that revolves completely around each other. They are content in their own little world until, on a rare night out, Jack meets Lauren who changes both their worlds irrevocably.
About Jack is a story about love, loss and growing up - whatever age you are.
Directed by BAFTA winner and former ITV Workshop leader Ian Smith, About Jack is the second play by Esther Stanford, whose previous play ‘88 was performed at the Birmingham Rep. Starring Gregory Piper (Line Of Duty), Rebecca Fuller (The Archers), Melanie Hamilton (The Cemetery Club) and Esther Stanford.
This play was staged in Birmingham at The MAC, Nottingham at The Actors Workshop and at The New Diorama in London.
“Phenomenal acting and writing. A well deserved full standing ovation.”
“A stunning piece of work. Deserves to be in the West End.”
“We laughed, we cried and we were right there with all the characters from the outset.”
Leap - Short Film
After attempting to take her own life, a teenager returns home and realises it’s not only her life that needs rebuilding but also her family’s.
Directed by Jon Pegg, Louise Osbourne and Esther Stanford, Leap is Esther’s first short film. Starring Kia Pegg (Doctors, The Dumping Ground), Laurence Saunders (House of the Dragon, Eastenders), Louise Osbourne (Murder She Wrote), Thea Hunt and Esther Stanford. Leap went on to win several Best Screenplay and Best Actress awards for Esther.
“This short film broke my heart and mended it all within the space of half an hour.”
Who I Am Today - Web Series
After working with Janice Connolly (aka Barbara Nice/Phoenix Nights) on a sketch show with The Fizzogs, Janice turned to me and said “Why the hell don’t I know who you are? You need to get out there.”
So, spurred on by Janice’s words, and not one to let the dust settle, the very next day I recorded 3 characters who had been in the back of my head. I wasn’t really sure what the aim was other than to put some work out and not wait around for others/gatekeepers. What followed was Who I Am Today, improvised talking heads which, all bar one, tended towards comedy. These characters were a great way to test the waters/challenge myself/build an audience and find my voice.
These characters have been a catalyst for many a project and I toy with bringing Who I Am Today back quite a lot…but for now, here are some clips.
