Harpenden People: Jonas Hurst

In the first of our 'Harpenden People' interview series, we meet Jonas Hurst, who runs the Harpenden-based children's theatre group, The Hurst Children’s Theatre Group.

DB: Please tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

JH: I was very theatrical as a child – on stage and off stage! I grew up with my family running their own Theatre Group for Children, based in Henley on Thames. My Dad was also in the music business – he was one of the Springfields and produced the likes of Cilla Black, Shakin’ Stevens, Showaddywaddy, Cat Stevens, Manfred Mann, Marc Bolan, Jimmy Page –to name but a few. I have a cool Dad!

I did a lot of singing as a child, which included the Minipops and the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. There’s some incriminating stuff on the internet so I can’t deny it any longer! I also loved sport and played Rugby for the South-West of England, Bath rugby football club and Cambridge University.

Before setting up my own Children’s Theatre Group in Harpenden, I spent most of my time being a TV presenter. I presented various shows on FIVE, Eurosport, Sky News and ITV.

I am a qualified teacher and I also run a Presenter Training company called Presenters Inc – based in London.

DB: How did you get involved in theatre in the first instance?

JH: I learnt how to do it from my Grandmother and Father. My sisters each run their own successful versions of it too. If not performing in the shows myself, I was always roped in to help backstage. I’ve always enjoyed it.

DB: How long have you run Hurst Children’s Theatre Group?

JH: My Drama group, The Hurst Children’s Theatre Group (HCTG), based in Harpenden, has been going for 5 years. We run weekly classes in the Salvation Army Hall and put on 2 productions a year in the Public Halls.

DB: How do participants benefit from their involvement with the group?

The classes are divided into age-groups and we take children from 3-16 and upwards. It works really well for both shy and confident children. Whilst it’s a great outlet for the latter, the confidence in the quieter children really grows. I think confidence is such an important part of life and what we do in the Theatre Group is therefore beneficial. More important than all of that however, is just for the children to have fun –that’s always the main aim.

DB: What is your relationship with Harpenden?

JH: My wife use to live here and came home to roost. She went to STAGS. We got married here and we’ve been here ever since.

DB: What do you like about the town?

JH: It’s obviously convenient for London but also feels far enough away from the bustle of the big city. To me, it’s just the right size – not too big and not too small. There’s a really nice community feel to it.

DB: Are there any dislikes or frustrations about Harpenden you’d like to share?

JH: I’d love there to be a bit more on offer for parents to do in the evening. Perhaps a small Cinema, like the Rex in Berkhamsted – that’s my next plan!

DB: Give us one top tip in Harpenden?

JH: There’s a fun Panto on at the Public Halls every year in mid-January. Fun for all the family!

DB: Outside of the theatre, what other passions do you have?

JH: All sports, especially Tennis, Rugby and Skiing. Chocolate is also a passion of mine.

DB: What ambitions do you have for the future?

JH: Just to still be doing what I’m doing now, in the years to come.

The Hurst Children’s Theatre Group will be putting on a production of Aladdin at Harpenden Public Halls from 21st to 23rd January. See here for more details.

Tell us which local people you would like to meet here at harpendenpeople.