The press can’t get enough of Michael French’s amazing story, from West End and Hollywood performer to successful theatre school Principal and business owner!

Read the full story here: https://www.thestage.co.uk/advice/meet-the-actors-starting-their-own-stage-schools.

Every day is a school day. Actor, singer and dancer Michael French’s career has encompassed performing all over the UK and overseas including the West End, working with artists such as George Michael and a recent appearance playing a Toy Company executive in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie film. The latter role might be viewed as art imitating life since, off-screen, the actor actually does play an executive role as a theatre school franchisee with Razzamataz.

“I was in my early 30s doing a show in the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. I remember looking in the mirror and thinking that my performing days were coming to an end and I didn’t have a plan moving forward. I knew a couple  of people in the Razzamataz network, and they spoke very highly of it. I also remembered seeing the founder, Denise Hutton-Gosney, on Dragons’ Den. I knew nothing about advertising, building a market, creating a customer base, retaining customers or all the other things that it takes to build a school but I was reassured that there would be people to support me through the whole journey.”

French’s school in Barnet now serves about 130 students per season, with a second in nearby Potters Bar due to open in September.

“Being my own boss means that I can decide when and how I work, which has allowed me to take advantage of incredible opportunities and continue to perform professionally, but, aside from how it fits into my lifestyle, being a franchisee is incredibly rewarding. For example, we have just finished our annual showcase and the feedback from parents has been overwhelming.

“One family got in touch to say that their daughter has been going through a very difficult time but seeing her on stage was the first time that she looked like she was back to her old self.”