Interview with Janey Godley

I recently had the privilege of conducting an e-interview with an actress/comedian/writer from the UK. Janey Godley is the author of an award winning blog, which started in 2004. Godley stated by owning a bar and stumbled into the performing arts after she got tired of the bar scene. She worked as a comedian and discovered that she was, in fact, very talented.

Due to the fact that the performing arts business is so competitive, performers must find ways to market themselves effectively. Godley found that her blog was one of the best ways to publicize her performances.

“My blog is posted on 170 sites weekly and gathers thousands of readers. I also use twitter and facebook to advertise my shows/videos/blogs, etc.” says Godley. Clearly the internet revolution has done wonders to help advertise the performing arts.

Godley always loved the theatre and dreamed of going on stage. She started by watching performances at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, and then she “got involved in amateur drama.”

Janey Godley is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Handstands in the Dark; a story of her life of poverty, gang violence and child abuse. One of her most difficult performances was the night after she had been in court all day describing the sexual abuse that she had suffered as a child.

“Comedy was hard after that horrific daytime event,” says Godley, “but comedy helped me overcome all of my fears and it worked.” For more information please refer to Godley’s memoir.

Leading a life of performing arts is never easy, but the evident payoffs are extraordinary.

Unknown Connections

One of my first assignments for my journalism course was to do an interview with one of my peers and publish it on my blog. It was our job to try and figure out what topic that our peers will be writing about and then write an introduction their blog.

This was when I met Cassie Liviero. This is what she thought:


It is my first week of University, and I’m scared out of my mind. So of course I was less than thrilled when we were assigned partner work. After searching around the room for a recognizable face, I realized there was no hope in that. I was assigned to be partners with C.S. began with general questions to get to know her. We shared a passion for writing without worry of page or detail constrictions.

After I was getting comfortable, we came to the part of the interview where I discover the topic that C.S. is an expert in….performing arts. Say what? Oh no! My interview that was going so smoothly just halted abruptly and took a nose dive. The clock at the front of the room seemed to tick a little faster and louder. I now had to concentrate and ask appropriate questions on a topic that I am the last person you would call an expert in.

C.S. begins to explain her love for the performing arts, as she has been involved in theatre groups and musicals – what she explains as the best time of her life and how she feels it is undervalued in society. As I become entranced by her passion, I want to know more about how to improve the value of this industry in the eyes of society. C.S. feels there would be a world of difference if there were more fundraising, advertising, and if there were more ways to introduce people to the intense challenges involved in performing arts. I left the interview with a wealth of knowledge on an unknown, but now more appreciated topic, and a new friend.

I look forward to following ‘The Cost of Fame’ Blog by C.S. One may break a budget pursuing goals; but passion is priceless.

Author's Note: When Cassie uses C.S then she is referring to me.

Theatre in Brantford

There are always opportunities to participate in the performing arts. Even in small cities there are ways to get involved. Brantford’s Sanderson Centre is a gorgeous theatre that has a variety of different shows all year round.

And if that is not enough, there is often an amateur community theatre or two. ICHTHYS Theatre Productions in Brantford has several different workshops and events going on.

Although the it is a difficult industry, the performing arts is not a dying one. As long as there is theatre, whether amateur or professional, then there will always be opportunities for people who like to view, or who are willing to participate.