A man who never drops the baton – that’s Chesterfield’s own Gareth Malone!

jonathan francis, chesterfield dance studios,

Leonie Martin talks to the man holding the baton at Chesterfield’s award-winning theatre school about the influences that have shaped his career, and how it all began with his grandma’s knitting needle back home in Winster.

CHESTERFIELD STUDIOS IS an award-winning theatre school based at Rose Hill in the town centre. Its recent production of Les Misérables received standing ovations from packed audiences and critical acclaim in local press for the awe-inspiring achievements of its cast, musicians, backstage crew and tutors. As the post-show euphoria settles, Jonathan Francis, artistic director and co-founder of the Studios, puts down his baton and takes a moment to pause and reflect on the people and events that have influenced and inspired his career…