Weds 22nd July 2026
At this morning’s Wealden Business Group meeting, we were delighted to hear all about the fascinating early life of member Heather Carpenter.
From Wolverhampton to the Stage
Hailing from Wolverhampton, Heather boasts a truly unique origin story: she was born in a fish and chip shop and grew up living above a proper, old-school hardware store! Her early years were filled with dance and music lessons, which eventually led to her first taste of professional performance – landing a child role with the touring Scottish Ballet.
Breaking Into the Industry
After completing her A-levels, Heather faced the classic Catch-22 that plagued many young performers of the era: the Equity “closed shop.” At the time, you couldn’t get a job without an Equity card, but you couldn’t get an Equity card without a paid job! However, she gained her card by securing residencies at the Galaxy Variety Club in Tipton (which sadly burned down years later) and the Royal Bath Hotel.
Bright Lights, Big Names, & On-Stage Mishaps
Equity card in hand, Heather’s career took off, spanning pantomime summer seasons and work at sea. Along the way, Heather shared the stage with household names of the era, including Jim Davidson, Little & Large, and Keith Harris (with Orville, of course!).
Naturally, live performance comes with its share of mishaps, including one memorable moment when her shoe got stuck mid-stage! And like any performer, she weathered her fair share of gruelling auditions, facing cuts both early on and agonizingly late in the process. However, one audition resulted in a coveted role in the famously demanding UK tour of West Side Story. This production required use of the original, challenging, choreography, and was toured across the length and breath of the country. It even played in Heather’s home town of Wolverhampton.
Caribbean Sun & A New Chapter
Seeking a change of pace, Heather later set sail with Celebrity Cruises in the Caribbean, working under the famed choreographer Peter Gordeno. It was a completely different lifestyle – one with plenty of downtime to explore sun-drenched island ports.
After 18 months of life at sea, the pull of stability brought her back to the UK. She achieved a first class degree in dance at university and subsequently qualified as a teacher, becoming head of dance for many years in secondary schools. (As for the rest of her story? That’s a tale for another day!)
Where She Is Today
Today, Heather has channelled her creative passions into a new medium as a fused glass artist. You can visit her shop on Tenterden High Street or explore her beautiful work online at mara-amore.ie
