Welcome to our monthly who’s who of Trafalgar Entertainment. This month we say hello to Ashley Smith from Trafalgar Releasing.

By Rosemary Squire

Paula Baker was born in Guildford in 1964 and grew up in Kent. She began her career as a legal secretary in Maidstone at the dawn of computerisation. She and her husband Kevin moved to Woking in early 1992 and Paula and I started working together soon after.

We’re delighted with the news that Alex Kingston (ER, Doctor Who) is set to star in the award-winning comedy, Admissions, from the writer of acclaimed hit Bad Jews, Joshua Harmon. Following its hugely successful run at New York’s Lincoln Centre Theater, Admissions will open at Trafalgar Studios on 28 February for a strictly limited season until 25 May, before embarking on a UK tour.

Following the opening tour dates in Brighton, the cast of The Rocky Horror Show took to the road and headed north for the next stop on the new UK tour, the Manchester Opera House.

Starring Corrie favourite Beverley Callard as The Narrator, the cast tore the house down with an electrifying first night performance, in front of Manchester media, VIPs and local celebs from Coronation Street and Hollyoaks.

The team from Trafalgar Releasing picked up an incredible four awards the Event Cinema Association’s slate day at VUE West End earlier this month.

The King and I: From The London Palladium was awarded Highest Performing Theatre Title of 2018, whilst the honour of Highest Performing Music Title of 2018 went to BTS’s Burn the Stage: The Movie.

Trafalgar Releasing kicks off 2019 in style with some exciting new cinema releases next month.

Don’t miss this revival of Sir Richard Eyre’s dynamic production of The Metropolitan Opera: Carmen, coming to UK cinemas on 2 February. Mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine plays opera’s ultimate seductress, while Roberto Alagna returns to the role of Don José, the good-hearted soldier in whom she unleashes an uncontrollable passion.

From 15 February to 10 March Stagecoach will be holding audition workshops for both, 'Behind the Magic' and 'The Sound of Music' Summer Showcase across eight different locations.

With an exciting first full year of trading under our belts, there are certainly plenty of memorable Trafalgar Entertainment moments that epitomise 2018. The New Year got off to a flying start with the news that Rosemary was to receive a Damehood in The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for Services to Theatre and Philanthropy!

Trafalgar Entertainment held its first ever Away Day at the St Martin’s Lane Hotel in London earlier this month to celebrate 2018  and look towards the future. An inspirational day of shared visions, positivity, creativity, excitement and Christmas dinner!

Stagecoach held its very first Creative Courage for Life Awards earlier this month with a glitzy ceremony at the Shaftsbury Theatre on 2 December. The awards bash formed part of Stagecoach’s annual Charity Gala event and celebrated the phenomenal talent of its students. During the event, the stage was bursting with young talent as guests were treated to performances from Stagecoach students from across the UK.