Handshake Ltd Managing Director Discusses Entertainment Industry

Stuart Littlewood Shares Insights on Live Music and Theatre Promotion

Stuart Littlewood, Managing Director of Handshake Ltd, recently spoke about his extensive career in the entertainment industry and the company’s ongoing work producing live music and comedy shows. Handshake Ltd is a promoter and producer that regularly brings performances to venues such as Leeds’ City Varieties.

Background and Career Beginnings

Littlewood’s entry into the entertainment world began in 1964 when he started booking bands at his local youth club in Saddleworth, located between Manchester and Leeds. He was soon asked to manage a band, a role he accepted despite limited knowledge of the responsibilities involved. Over the past 50 years, he has worked with numerous artists and witnessed significant changes in the industry.

Role and Responsibilities as a Promoter

Handshake Ltd programmes between 400 and 500 shows annually. Littlewood’s weekly routine involves reviewing ticket sales, coordinating with his team to focus marketing efforts, and planning future bookings, sometimes up to 18 months in advance. The company promotes a variety of live acts, including bands and television or recording stars, across UK theatres and concert halls.

Changes in the Entertainment Industry

Littlewood highlighted how the live entertainment sector has evolved from smaller venues such as pubs, clubs, and town halls to large arenas and stadiums capable of hosting tens of thousands of attendees. He also noted the impact of digital technology, which allows artists to release music directly via the internet and social media, bypassing traditional promotion channels like record companies and agents.

Career Highlights

• Managing the band MUD, which achieved a Number 1 single with “Tiger Feet”
• Working with Welsh comedian Max Boyce, whose album topped the charts—a unique achievement for a comedian
• Promoting artists including Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, and Katherine Jenkins
• Producing the West End production “Oh! What a Night,” starring Kid Creole, which toured internationally for over a decade
• Producing “The Buddy Holly Story,” which ran in London’s West End for 15 years starting in 1989

Artist Selection Criteria

When choosing artists and projects, Handshake Ltd looks for talent, star quality, longevity, and a strong commitment to their craft. Long-term collaborations, such as Littlewood’s 50-year relationship with Max Boyce, exemplify these values. Tribute shows like “MANIA: The ABBA Tribute,” which has toured globally for 25 years, also reflect the company’s focus on enduring appeal.

Relationship with City Varieties

Handshake Ltd frequently works with City Varieties, a historic variety theatre in Leeds known for hosting prominent UK TV and variety stars. Littlewood praised the venue’s management team and its significance in British theatrical history, comparing it to renowned venues such as the London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall.

Upcoming Shows in Leeds

In 2026, Handshake Ltd will present several productions at City Varieties, including:

• A Night to Remember: Motown Show – 16 to 17 January
• A Country Night in Nashville – 6 March
• The Legend of Barry White: Let the Music Play – 23 April
• Emilio Santoro as Elvis – 5 to 6 September

For further information or to book tickets, audiences are advised to visit the City Varieties website.

Source

Information sourced from Leeds Heritage Theatres.