
On Friday 13th March, George Francis—a Wavertree native and the current Musical Director of Hadestown in the West End—visited Blue Coat School to speak with students about his experiences in the musical theatre industry.
During an engaging session lasting over an hour and a half, George shared insights into his career and the wider world of theatre. He also asked students thoughtful questions about their own production, creating a highly interactive and inspiring discussion.
Students were especially inspired by George’s personal journey. They learned that entering the musical theatre industry does not always require formal music training and that building connections and networking are key to success. His emphasis on gaining hands-on experience, no matter how small the opportunity, left a strong impression.
The talk also sparked personal ambition among students, with some expressing interest in developing new skills, such as starting piano lessons.
Many students commented on how friendly and approachable George was, and how much they valued hearing about his real-life experiences. His insights into working on Hadestown allowed students to make meaningful connections to their own production work. His positive reaction to the students’ performance reinforced the idea of theatre as a supportive and collaborative community.
Overall, the visit was described as inspiring, informative, and enjoyable, leaving students with a deeper understanding of the musical theatre industry and enthusiasm for their own creative journeys.