Musical revelations from Bella Ghale, Rosie Trow and Lucy Sharp
With Wicked having worked its magic at the box office and new musicals hitting the high notes in theatres, a chorus line of independent sales agent Guys & Dolls have been shared the score of trade over the last year.
Here, in the first of a series, Bella Ghale, Rosie Trow and Lucy Sharp have also revealed what would be their musical of choice as well as what the hope will bring the hills alive with the Sound Of Music in their patch in 2025.
Bella Ghale, BG Agencies
Bella covers the south-east of England, including Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and for some companies, Berkshire. The portfolio of brands Bella represents include Carrie Elspeth, Designworks Collective, Ginger Betty, Henry & Co Home Fragrance, Lifeguard Press brands Kate Spade, Ban.do and Steel Mill, and Toasted Crumpet.
A Wicked-ly good or Les Miserables year? “It was really somewhere in between and the sense of uncertainty has unfortunately continued into 2025 with all the effects of the budget about to come into play. Perhaps the musical Into The Woods would sum it up most appropriately – it captures unexpected twists, characters dealing with unforeseen challenges, the repercussions of their choices, and the realisation that ‘happily ever after’ isn’t always guaranteed!
“Luckily supplier wise, after now having our sales meetings, the majority have reported increased sales, which is a real positive.”
The 2025 Sound Of Music: “The last year of trading has really been my first year trading as an agent this time round, and it does take some time to build up on brands as an agent and create the momentum which I so strongly believe in. A huge high is that I’m so lucky to have maintained relationships with customers from 15 years ago when I first started working in the industry.
“I feel very positive about our glorious industry. We have so many wonderful products and brands – quite frankly, the general public is spoilt for choice. However, if they continue to buy solely online or through the cheap Chinese sites that are stealing designs and ideas from our fabulous designers it is so detrimental. I really hope consumers make better decisions about supporting our brands and bricks and mortar shops.”
Your musical alter ego: “I have a dear old friend who is in the West End musical show, Come Away Home. The storyline is about how an unexpected crisis brings people from different backgrounds together and follows how they navigate the uncertainties and find hope amidst the chaos. I find this apposite as, right now, we all need to work together, supporting local businesses and the individuals that work so hard to provide respectable products for the end consumer.”
Rosie Trow
Rosie’s territory is the south west of England. She represents Accessories By Park Lane, Belly Button Designs, Bewilderbeest, Crumble & Core, Glick, Go La La, Janie Wilson, Life Charms, Marina B, Museums & Galleries, Oli Olsen, Paper Salad, Redback Cards, and Wendy Jones-Blackett.
A Wicked-ly good or Les Miserables year? “Most indies Dreamed A Dream and appeared to be less miserable, battling on while facing every challenge with a positive mindset, ever keen that the show had to go on!
“The Little Shop Of Horrors for me personally was receiving six months’ notice from Jellycat after being the company’s agent for 21 years, and receiving three months’ notice from Wrendale Designs after 11 years, losing both agencies to full-time employed reps. However, rather than Strictly Ballroom, these were strictly business decisions and not personal Mamma Mia ones.
“Sometimes you just have to accept business is business and Walk The Line. I’ve been Truly, Madly, Deeply touched by customers thanking me for what I consider is just part of my job.”
The 2025 Sound Of Music: “My hills will be alive in 2025 with all the great new products for my retailer customers. I’m not living in La La Land, and know a lot of indies have fewer staff, and struggle to get away from their shops, so I’ll be taking in ideas, thoughts and inspiration. Life is a Cabaret, after all!”
Your musical alter ego: “My personal choice would be Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – what could be better than a car that can fly, have no speed issues or red lights to sit at, so maybe I wouldn’t be late, and I’d turn the child catcher into a traffic warden catcher!”
Lucy Sharp, Sharp Stuff
Lucy covers Scotland for Abrams & Chronicle, Caroline Gardner, Roger La Borde, Talking Tables and Roomytown, who she describes as “a future West End spectacular”
A Wicked-ly good or Les Miserables year? “The year whizzed by like Greased Lightning. It was a difficult start to the year for most, with a late Easter and plenty of Singin’ In The Rain, but it picked up nicely and most customers seem to be reporting pretty empty shelves post-Christmas, so it ended up being very much all right on the night.
“High notes were my superstar customers, who pulled off a cracking performance despite all the challenges. They very much deserve a standing ovation!
“It was the year of Jellycat for the indies, which had both high notes and low points, particularly with stock challenges. That Broadway run has come to an end for me as an agent so, rather than a repeat performance, I’m looking ahead to a fresh production, with a Spamalot vibe of always looking on the bright side of life.”
The 2025 Sound Of Music: “I’m very much looking forward to a year of high notes. I’m confident the product from my existing star performers will hit the high notes, and there might be a surprise performer or two ready to pull back the curtain on during 2025. So, take your seats, get the snacks in, and prepare for a cracking performance!”
Your musical alter ego: “I hope we’re all spared that as I’m much better at selling than singing! It definitely wouldn’t be the Sound Of Music, as I don’t think my nun game is very strong! I love hip hop, so it’s got to be Hamilton. I’m planning for a 2025 of very much being in the room where it happens.”
These views were first published in the February issue of Progressive Greetings magazine, and can be read here.
