My passion is producing plays and writing - you will probably have guessed that by now!

I trained as a hairdresser and worked in Chigwell in Essex. For 5 years I cropped and set enough heads to still give me nightmares! It's definitely not a job I would go back to. During this time I was a member of the Stage Struck Youth Theatre Group in Redbridge where I worked up from the Chorus in Grease to character parts in Half a Sixpence, Fiddler on the Roof and Bugsy Malone. The group produced many famous actors.

I had always wanted to work in the West End, no matter what the job I just wanted to be near the heart of London theatre. So, I got a job in The Body Shop in Oxford Street . . . where I remained for 3 years. Not happy to just work in a shop, I put myself through drama college and studied a Musical Theatre course for 2 years. Maurice Lane Academy of Theatre provided me with confirmation of the direction I wanted my life to go in, plus it gained me an Equity Card.

After completing my course I started work at Butlins as one of their famous Red Coats in Ayr, Scotland. Later my specialty was as a Junior Red Coat entertaining children from 6 to 8 years in daytime activities and full-blown evening shows. I was also a 'Show-Red' performing in the main productions for all ages. I worked for 4 seasons at Minehead, Ayr, Skegness and Pwllheli. It was at Butlins that I met Liz, the greatest support and inspiration in my life.

Having enjoyed my time at Butlins I decided to broaden my experiences and took up a position as an entertainer on a cruise ship. This took me to the Middle East and around Europe. It was a wonderful experience to add to my knowledge of the entertainment industry, though it didn't cure my fear of drowning!

Next I returned to working in the West End at The Disney Store on Regents Street where I was a cast member & M.A.G.I.C in-store trainer. It was brilliant to be working back in the West End, a place I have always been drawn back to. By day I lived in Disneyland, by night I wrote, produced, directed and performed in a Christmas Pantomime in leafy Surrey.

A short spell at Harrods as a children's entertainer over the Christmas period was followed by work at Madame Taussaud's Rock Circus, where I looked after the famous visitors, until the exhibition sadly closed.

Queen's We Will Rock You show, written by Ben Elton, was home for me for 4 years, where I managed the merchandise side of the show.

But now I have ventured out into the vast unknown and become self - employed. I have branded my quizzes under the Logo of 'Must Try Harder' Quizzes or 'MTH' for short. They are whizzing off the shelf faster than I can convert them to PDF so things are looking good.

Over the last four years I have written a novel, monologues, plays and specialist theatre-themed quizzes. It's in the area of writing and production that I am planning out my next moves! . . .

Hello Tomorrow

I am now an Avon Lady! How funny is that? I should say I'm an Avon Independent UK Sales Leader. I have to admit, I do get some funny looks from people when I say that, but do I care? I get a great reception from my customers as they can boast that they have an Avon Man!

If you are interested in becoming an Avon Representative please contact me through this site or visit my Avon web page http://chrisrainbird.myavon.co.uk