Stuart King: From Tunbridge to Funbridge to Churchbridge

Life After Jazz Hands · 2025-05-28

58:53

Stuart Burke is a Worship Pastor at the Emmanuel Church in Croydon, where gets to combine his faith, with his love of music and performing.

Previously known to his performer friends as Stuart King, he originally hails from Tunbridge in Kent. In 2001 at the age of 16 years old, he attended the Arts Educational Schools, Chiswick to study Musical Theatre, Graduating in 2004.

After leaving college Stuart went on to appear in the UK Tour of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. Following this he appeared in the UK Tour of 'Chitty Bang Bang', once again 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' in the West End, Hello Dolly (Regents Park), the UK Tour of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'West Side Story' and 'Jersey Boys' in the West End.

From this he transitioned into being a Worship Pastor at Emmanuel Church, Croydon. During which time he studied theology at 'St Mellitus College' and he is on the journey to train other worship leaders through 'Worship Leader Training'.

If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed in todays episode please see below for some helpful resources -

Men's Minds Matter - https://www.mensmindsmatter.org/

Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)

Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)

Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds)

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Life After Jazz Hands

Life After Jazz Hands is a podcast that celebrates the many paths our lives can take, and the diverse stories and characters who are - or have been - drawn to the performing arts.

My name is Matthew Russell-Jones and 20 years ago I graduated from musical theatre college. Back then, I had ideas about how my life and career would look, what constituted success, and what I wanted from the decades ahead.

But I’ve since realised that our lives can take many unexpected twists and turns. And this got me thinking: what were my classmates & others I met along the way professinally? So now, I’m sitting down with them individually to hear about their stories and to understand where they are now, 20 years or so on.

From performers and directors to doctors and barbers, Life After Jazz Hands charts the diverse careers of a single graduating class across two decades. Along the way, it also explores the moments and experiences that shape us: loss, parenthood, relationships, ill health, and opportunities in the most surprising places. Join us as we navigate the highs, the lows, and the unexpected encores in the lives of those who once shared a stage.

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