Beginners to the Stage, Please: Secrets of Life Backstage in London’s Magical West End

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Stewart Arnott

Beginners to the Stage, Please

Secrets of Life Backstage in London’s Magical West End

Stewart Arnott

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English

Troubador Publishing
28 August 2025

Theatre Studies; Memoirs

Have you ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of your favourite shows?

Beginners to the Stage, Please traces Stewart Arnott’s progress from tearing tickets in his teens to becoming the stage manager for The Phantom of the Opera in the West End of London. Along the way, he explains various aspects of how the industry works, delves into the psychology of performers and audiences, and provides detailed descriptions of how shows are put together and run.

The theatre is a world Stewart knows very well, having worked extensively in the West End over four decades: front-of-house, stage-door-keeping, crewing, set-operating and, most importantly, stage managing. This gives him an in-depth knowledge of individual shows, a global overview of the industry, and a breadth of experience that offers a perspective few others will have had.

Peppered with personal anecdotes and a fair amount of (unabashed!) name-dropping, this story offers an insight into the nitty-gritty of daily life behind the scenes on some of the West End's most successful and well-known shows.

So come with Stewart as he takes you through the stage door and into the rarely seen backstage world of London’s magical West End.

By: Stewart Arnott
Imprint: Troubador Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm, Spine: 27mm
Weight: 462g
ISBN: 9781836283836
ISBN 10: 1836283830
Pages: 368
Publication Date: 28 August 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Stewart Arnott has worked extensively in the West End, specialising in large-scale, technical musicals. He was the stage manager for the original London production of The Phantom of the Opera for the last 20 years of its run. Stewart has also worked on David Essex’s Mutiny!, Metropolis, the original Miss Saigon, Mike Batt’s The Hunting of the Snark and Crazy For You.

Reviews for Beginners to the Stage, Please: Secrets of Life Backstage in London’s Magical West End

Deliciously theatrical and utterly revealing – Stewart Arnott lifts the curtain on the backstage world with wit, heart, and more than a little sparkle. A true love letter to the magic of theatre, this book is insightful, cheeky, and full of FAB-U-LOUS tales from behind the scenes. From Phantom to parties, stage door to show-stopping drama, it’s a ten from me, darling! -- Craig Revel Horwood Stewart's book is a trip down memory lane, while proving what can be done when you follow your dreams. -- Sinitta Having had the absolute pleasure of working with Stewart, this book was such a beautiful read. It bought back so many amazing memories. Stewart uses his own experiences to explain how the industry works and why it is so magical. Thank you, Stewart, for writing such an essential, fascinating, and entertaining read for musical theatre fans and newcomers to the industry alike. -- Stephen Mear, Choreographer/Director