Director of theatrical talent agency Regan Management and Larca Casting Leigh-Ann Regan [pictured] speaks with Buzz about life in show business and how to ace auditions.
How did you get started with Regan Management?
Regan Management was formed in 2000 when I decided to retire from being an actress in London to set up a talent agency myself. I’d been an actress in the West End for years playing lead roles in musicals like Les Misarables. I decided to leave this world to go on to build a business and saw a big gap in the market in Wales and London at the time.
I realised there were hardly any agents in Wales representing actors back then, and saw that most actors didn’t even have agents at the time. I was astounded. Who was taking care of them and negotiating their pay and contracts?
Could you describe what it is that Regan Management does?
We are one of the UK’s leading theatrical talent agencies representing a large percentage of actors in Wales and the UK. We have over 200 actors on the books. As an agency we negotiate actors’ contracts, help them find work, auditions and castings and ensure that they get the best possible deal in each job they undertake.
What’s the best way of finding fresh talent?
Making sure that myself and all the agents within the company go and see everything we possibly can to spot new talent. The key to this job is passion and spotting talent everywhere. When I was in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival a few years ago I spotted Tom Mackley who was an undiscovered talent at the time. I signed him and he’s now playing the lead in Harry Potter and the Estranged Child in the West End. Other clients are currently appearing in network dramas such as Stella and Hinterland. I have clients currently in runs at The Donmar Warehouse, the RSC and successful productions in The West End such as The Book of Mormon. I’ve also set up acting for screen workshops in my offices in Cardiff Bay where anyone who wants to be an actor can attend to train with some of the biggest names in the industry.
Could you tell us a bit about the Cardiff Bay studio and the LARCA workshops?
They’re basically weekly workshops where industry stars train future talent. The workshops, which are open to anyone who wants to be an actor, invite the best film, TV and casting directors across the UK to train new and established actors in Wales who want to make it to the big (and small) screen. So far, we’ve had some amazing people in including Kevin Allen who directed Twin Town, actress Julie Barclay who was in the recent smash hit movie Pride, and Lauren Evans from Nina Gold Casting who casts Game of Thrones.
What was the inspiration behind setting it up?
Acting in a film or on TV is very different to acting on stage, and so I thought it’d be useful for new and established actors to have the opportunity to work with well-known TV and film directors along with big casting agents.
Sometimes you have actors who have mostly worked in theatre and making that switch to TV or film can be tricky and daunting as it’s a completely different experience. Also, this too is a fantastic way of finding new talent because our door is open to anyone who would like to become an actor.
Is there anything you think would surprise people about your work?
It’s vary rarely glitz and glamour and more hard graft than anything! I recently purchased new offices in Cardiff Bay which are being converted into studios and whilst negotiating contracts and deals over the phone I’m also sanding the doors and painting with the builders to make sure everything gets done on time! Also, as an agent your job isn’t just about the actor’s professional work, you also build a personal relationship with some of them and have to be prepared to be a therapist, marriage councillor and all round good listener! With regard to the studios they are open to being hired as a rehearsal space and so if anyone is interested then please get in touch through the Regan Management website.
What tips would you give actors in an audition?
Smile when you walk into a room, make sure you look the part and always know your lines if you’ve had the script in advance.
If you come in looking miserable, like you’ve just crawled out of bed and don’t know your lines – unless you are an established Hollywood star you can forget it!
If you could only suggest one place to visit in Wales to someone who had never visited, where would you pick and why?
Roch Castle in Haverdfordwest. It’s a 12th century castle converted into a 6-bedroom luxury hotel. It’s near the beautiful Pembrokshire coastal path and the lovely town of St David’s. My partner and I stayed there last year and it was amazing as there is no staff on site after a certain time and so you get your own key to the castle making you feel like you own it!