Sometimes, Life Takes Us on an Unexpected Journey

Back in 2013, when I started the original group, my intention was simple: to bring women together through theatre, live entertainment and friendship.

But I quickly learned that women were joining for more than a show.

Often, there were bigger changes happening behind the scenes. Because sometimes, life doesn’t follow the path we imagined.

Children grow up, relationships change, we lose loved ones, and we can find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, unsure where to turn. Sometimes, we simply need to try something new — something that’s just for us.

From the outside, our theatre trips and live entertainment adventures might have looked like a day out. But for some women, they were about putting responsibilities aside, having something to look forward to, connecting with others and laughing out loud until our sides hurt.

Today, Culture Calendar UK has turned a corner of its own. Those experiences, memories and reflections are helping to shape a new chapter through the Beyond the Spotlight UK podcast.

I’m exploring the stories behind live entertainment, the importance of human connection and the lessons we discover through lived experience — including the stories that go far beyond the stage.

You can follow Beyond the Spotlight UK on Substack and Spotify to discover more, or visit our Digital Downloads Page for tailor-made guides for Gen Z and Gen X women for visiting theatre and live entertainment.