Who is Who
Tarquin Shaw-Young
Managing Director & Head of CastingTarquin began working for The Stagecoach Agency in 2000 running their drama audition workshops. Since then he has probably auditioned well over 10,000 students. He has now been running the Stagecoach Agency for five years and loves every minute of it.
Born into a theatrical family he began working professionally as an actor at the age of two and a half, touring in Old Time Music Hall and as part of a Magic Act. With numerous other roles as a child performer he felt destined to tread the boards as an adult.
Tarquin’s early work in theatre allowed him to play a wide range of roles, with several weekly rep seasons at Sidmouth, four years for Jill Freud at Southwold Rep and pantos at Chipping Norton. He has toured throughout Britain, Europe and even New Zealand.
Theatre Roles included, Boldwood and Joseph Poorgrass in Far From The Madding Crowd, Albert Godsby in the much accalaimed national tour revival of Brief Encounter, Father, Stationmaster and The Russian in The Railway Children, Jack in A Visit From Scrooge, Henry Lypiatt in Present Laughter and as Lord Goring in An Ideal Husband.
Other national tours and shows include: Pip in Great Expectations, Alan Bratter in Come Blow Your Horn, Touchstone in As You Like It, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ricard in Rattle of a Simple Man, Oscar Wilde at the Arts Club, Ham in David Copperfield, Nick in Two and Two Make Sex, Tristram Watson in Taking Steps, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, William Russell in The Actor, Jeweller and Oliver Cromwell’s Head, Monkey Tonks in Come On Sinderby, Crispin in Bob Carlton’s production of A Chorus of Disapproval and Earthman in Totem for the RSC Stratford. He also performed with the New Zealand comedy impro company ‘On The Spot.’ For BBC Bristol he wrote and appeared in 2 series of the popular food and drink comedy show Chefs Extraordiniare!
T.V credits include: The Brittas Empire, Martin Chuzzlewit, Back-Up, Black Hearts in Battersea, Pirates, Little Lord Fauntleroy, Casualty, Crimenight, Invasion Earth, Dangerfield, Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Films: Mrs. Brown, Wing Commander and the award winning Men Wrestling in Suits. Tarquin has also written the successful farces Notta Lottery, Luke Warm, the supernatural thrillers Murderous Intent, Murder by Deception, Blood on the Canvas and for children, The Hound of Music, Dick Whittington (Abba Style) and the children’s book Captain Kiwi and The Possum Pirates.
Louise Preece
Deputy Manager . Casting BookerThere’s not much that Louise does not know about casting, having worked firstly for South West Casting and then for the last ten years for Stagecoach Agency UK. With her experience and knowledge she is an integral part of the Agency having seen it grow and change over the last few years.
Louise is no stranger to performing, having had several cameo roles in Casualty and Teachers. And working as a chaperone on several of the Harry Potter Movies.
Her encyclopaedic knowledge of the students each year is invaluable when casting for film and television and she has many successes behind her. Each year she attends all the workshops helping audition all of our students. In the office she ensures alongside her colleagues the smooth day-to-day running of events.
Joan Martin
Casting BookerJoan is a graduate in Mass Communications whose career has progressed on both sides of the microphone, lens and curtain.
Originally from Singapore, performing as Phoenix J (and still doing so), on the artist side she has produced her own Top 40 album and co-starred in a multi-country touring musical theatre troupe.
An accomplished musician and technophile, she has also run a successful music production company whilst immersing herself in every aspect of online design and promotion, from building websites to holding virtual world concerts.
Now working on many of the West End musicals and stage-shows with the Agency she is able to combine all her personal and professional experiences bringing empathy for performing students.
Corinda Price
Casting BookerStarted dancing at the age of five performing in amateur shows and doing examinations she then went onto Kidderminster College studying for 2yrs on a performing arts course. Successfully graduating she continued her training at the world famous ‘Stella Mann School of Dance London’ for a further 3 yrs, gaining top grades in ISTD Advanced & Associate teaching qualifications in Ballet, National, Modern & Intermediate Tap, together with an RAD Student Teaching Certificate & Advanced Ballet. She is also trained in Jazz, Contemporary Dance, drama & singing and RAD (Anatomy).
Since 1993 she taught at acadamy’s in London teaching all styles of dance to children from age 4 to 16. She has been resident Dance teacher for Stagecoach Worcester for the last six years.
Recently Corinda qualified as a fully registered teacher for the RAD.
Her knowledge of Dance is a valuable tool when casting and auditioning for all areas of the industry.
Katherine Taylor
Casting BookerKatherine is the newest member of our team, a top graduate from the University of Wales Aberystwyth in Film and Television Studies with Performance. Here she specialised in Studio Production both on the floor and from the Gallery.
She has also worked extensively for Talkback Thames most notably on 'X' Factor, doing one to one interviews with the stars and structuring crowd shots, and designing producers panelling in the final edit. Also working on 'Britain's Got Talent' she got to see first hand how the show deals with Children performing in live T.V.
Katherine is fluent in Spanish having lived and worked in Spain for some years.
Lesley Houlden
Senior AccountantAlthough Lesley deals with the complex day to day accounting of the Agency, making sure everyone gets paid on time, her background from the age of just 18 months was in dance and sport. For many years she taught ballet and tap. In 1969 she was picked to dance for Prince Charles at his investiture.
Other Accolades included winning the prestigious ‘Victrix Ludorum’ for Sport at the White House School and having played Hockey professionally for Newport Athletic, Lesley ended up in the Finance department for the Welsh Office. Lesley also worked for several years for the well-known label ‘Nimbus Records’.
Lesley also helps run the family business ‘Chameleon Amplifiers & Transformers.’ There are not many people who’ve played in a band that won’t have used one of theirs. Although cheap Chinese imports greatly affected the business the company still makes the transformers and carries out repairs.
Lesley is no stranger to challenges having walked the Great Wall of China for Charity (Children's Society) in 1998.
Lesley is now a vital part of the Agency team and its nice to know that your money is safe in her hands!
Philip M. Smith M.I.L.T
Stagecoach Agency Uk Logistics DepartmentA member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation, Philip is an experienced Business Manager with a background in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Philip has worked for many large multi-national organizations including Rank Xerox, RS Components, Mastercare, Bookers, as well as local Local Government. All of these organizations have a strong customer service ethos.
In 1999 Philip set up PS Logistics Consultancy to assist Stagecoach Head Office with the planning and organization of their photo sessions for students joining The Stagecoach Agency. Since then the Agency has changed considerably but Philip still plays a key role in the processing, data collection and communications to parents.
Phil is a valued member of the team who helps with the vast machine of sending out invitations, processing applications for the workshops and any outside dispatches and communiqués that the Agency requires.
John Clark
PhotographerJohn Clark is the most popular theatrical headshot photographer in London. His natural style of portraiture has earned him an enviable reputation.
John is also the leading children’s theatre school photographer, shooting nearly 30% of Children’s Spotlight. John has been involved with taking photos for Stagecoach since they began in 1988.
