This is Dr. Martin Saweirs. In this episode we delve into the unique and fascinating journey of Dr. Martin Saweirs, a general practitioner and company doctor for Cameron Mackintosh Limited, which includes some of the West End's biggest shows. Learn how a serendipitous phone call led him from general practice to becoming an essential support figure in the theatre world. Dr. Martin shares insights into his medical career, balancing professional responsibilities, managing health in high-pressure environments, and maintaining the well-being of performers. The conversation also touches on the role of creativity in medicine, building professional confidence, and the importance of honest patient-doctor relationships. Don't miss Dr. Martin's tips on maintaining health for performers and his inspirational experiences with the Royal Theatrical Fund. Whether you're interested in medicine, theatre, or the intersection of both, this episode offers a compelling exploration of Dr. Martin’s dual roles. 🎧 Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to The Five Minute Call 00:06 Meet Dr. Martin Saweirs 00:53 Dr. Martin's Journey into Medicine 02:11 Becoming Cameron Mackintosh's Doctor 04:10 Family Influence and Early Experiences 05:17 Challenges and Realities of Medical School 06:59 Creativity in Medicine 09:45 Living with Uncertainty and Mistakes 19:34 The Importance of Patient Communication 21:50 Community and Support in the Medical Field 26:47 Working with Theatre Performers 28:57 The Hardest Part of the Job 30:10 Confidentiality and Decision Making 33:47 The Role of Uncertainty in Medicine 36:27 Balancing Treatment Options 37:31 Personal Stories and Professional Insights 42:18 Health Tips for Performers 45:11 The Demands of a Performer's Lifestyle 47:22 The Impact of Theatre on Audiences 49:17 Royal Theatrical Fund and Support 51:18 Final Thoughts and Traditions ❤️ Support The Show Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for notifications! Your support helps us bring you more amazing stories from the theatre world. And you can listen to more episodes on your favourite podcasting platform. Links at: https://linkin.bio/fiveminutecall 🤝 Connect With Us Follow us on social media - search "Five Minute Call" https://www.instagram.com/FiveMinuteCall https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfiveminutecall Oren: https://www.instagram.com/OrenBoder https://www.orenboder.com Claire: https://www.instagram.com/showminds https://www.showminds.co Dr. Martin Saweirs: https://www.instagram.com/drmartingp/ ☕️ Vocalitea This episode is kindly sponsored by Vocalitea, the secret to vocal clarity in a cup. Vocalitea is more than just a beverage; it's a holistic approach to vocal care. Developed by award-winning voice experts and master tea blenders, each ingredient has been carefully selected to help you soothe and take care of your voice. Get yours at: https://vocalitea.co.uk 🎗️Get Help If you have been or are currently affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, here are some resources you might find useful. In the first instance, helplines: Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service) Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service) If you work in the theatre industry here are some organisations who can help you to find the right help: https://www.applauseforthought.com https://www.industryminds.co.uk https://www.mind.org.uk

This is Lily Kerhoas In this episode we dive into the inspiring journey of Lily Kerhoas, a talented singer and actress who has graced stages in some of the most iconic roles such as Cosette in 'Les Miserables' and Christine in 'Phantom of the Opera'. From her early days in Paris with a musical family background, to overcoming personal and professional challenges, and ultimately finding her place on the West End, Lily shares her story of determination, perseverance, and passion for theatre. Don't miss her insights on career decisions, dealing with performance anxiety, and the importance of staying true to one's dreams. 🎧 Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to The Five Minute Call 00:06 Meet Lily Kerhoas 00:53 Lili's Early Life and Musical Beginnings 02:37 The Turning Point: Billy Elliot 03:28 Training and Determination 07:01 Challenges and Growth 15:52 First Professional Experiences 18:09 Journey to London and Drama School 21:08 Royal Academy of Music and Beyond 25:27 Landing the Role in Les Miserables 28:01 First Day of Rehearsal 30:30 Navigating the Industry and Personal Growth 33:45 Facing the Dream: Opening Night Reflections 35:16 Balancing Work and Validation 37:14 The Impact of COVID: Career Setbacks and Resilience 39:03 Fighting for Roles: The Struggles and Triumphs 44:34 Choosing Career Over Personal Life 48:24 Landing the Role of Christine 53:25 Performance Anxiety and Personal Challenges 01:05:12 The Relevance of Theatre Today 01:10:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts ❤️ Support The Show Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for notifications! Your support helps us bring you more amazing stories from the theatre world. And you can listen to more episodes on your favourite podcasting platform. Links at: https://linkin.bio/fiveminutecall 🤝 Connect With Us Follow us on social media - search "Five Minute Call" https://www.instagram.com/FiveMinuteCall https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfiveminutecall Oren: https://www.instagram.com/OrenBoder https://www.orenboder.com Claire: https://www.instagram.com/showminds https://www.showminds.co Lily https://www.instagram.com/lilykerhoas/ ☕️ Vocalitea This episode is kindly sponsored by Vocalitea, the secret to vocal clarity in a cup. Vocalitea is more than just a beverage; it's a holistic approach to vocal care. Developed by award-winning voice experts and master tea blenders, each ingredient has been carefully selected to help you soothe and take care of your voice. Get yours at: https://vocalitea.co.uk 🎗️Get Help If you have been or are currently affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, here are some resources you might find useful. In the first instance, helplines: Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service) Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service) If you work in the theatre industry here are some organisations who can help you to find the right help: https://www.applauseforthought.com https://www.industryminds.co.uk https://www.mind.org.uk

This is Alice Afflick-Mensah In this episode of The Five Minute Call, we delve into the world of theatre sound engineering with Alice Afflick-Mensah, who is currently the Head of Sound for Hamilton in the West End. Alice recounts her journey from studying classical music to working on one of the biggest shows in the world. She shares her experiences managing live mixes, her emotional connection with performers, handling performance anxiety, and her passion for DJing. Alice also discusses the importance of self-care and creating a supportive work environment. 🎧 Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to The 5 Minute Call01:01 Alice Afflick-Mensah's Journey into Sound Engineering02:53 From Classical Music to Theatre Sound09:00 The Role of a Front of House Mixer10:55 Challenges and Rewards of Mixing Hamilton21:34 The All-Female Sound Team22:42 Interviewing for a Sound Engineer24:48 Sponsorship Break: Vocalitea25:20 Backstage Roles and Responsibilities26:27 Handling On-Stage Mishaps28:20 Learning and Performing Under Pressure31:12 Sound Design vs. Sound Mixing34:24 Understanding the Impact of Theatre Acoustics35:36 Adapting Sound for Different Environments37:18 Giving Feedback to Performers39:57 Managing Focus and Off Days41:33 Creating a Supportive Team Environment45:25 Balancing Health and Work50:52 Exploring DJing and Performance Anxiety54:33 The Art of DJing58:43 Public Speaking and Emotional Intelligence01:02:30 Five Minute Call Rituals01:05:01 Inspiration and Final Thoughts ❤️ Support The Show Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for notifications! Your support helps us bring you more amazing stories from the theatre world. And you can listen to more episodes on your favourite podcasting platform. Links at: https://linkin.bio/fiveminutecall 🤝 Connect With Us Follow us on social media - search "Five Minute Call" https://www.instagram.com/FiveMinuteCall https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfiveminutecall Oren: https://www.instagram.com/OrenBoder https://www.orenboder.com Claire: https://www.instagram.com/showminds https://www.showminds.co Alice Afflick-Mensah: https://www.instagram.com/lovealicedj/ ☕️ Vocalitea This episode is kindly sponsored by Vocalitea, the secret to vocal clarity in a cup. Vocalitea is more than just a beverage; it's a holistic approach to vocal care. Developed by award-winning voice experts and master tea blenders, each ingredient has been carefully selected to help you soothe and take care of your voice. Get yours at: https://vocalitea.co.uk 🎗️Get Help If you have been or are currently affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, here are some resources you might find useful. In the first instance, helplines: Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service) Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service) If you work in the theatre industry here are some organisations who can help you to find the right help: https://www.applauseforthought.com https://www.industryminds.co.uk https://www.mind.org.uk