Tributes to "powerhouse" Sheffield entertainment agent

Jenny Dunster went to Ecclesall Junior School as a child and attended Mrs Bart-Smith Dance School where she began her dance training before moving on to the prestigious the Bush Davies School of Theatre Arts.She moved to London where she worked in theatre, television, film and corporate events with appearances at many prestigious West End venues, including the world-famous Talk of the Town.

On retiring from dancing, she moved to entertainment agency work, first with Jill Shirley at Razzamatazz, representing Bucks Fizz when they won the Eurovision Song Contest.

This was followed by a period working alongside Bunny Lewis at LJD Presentations and at Leisure Services Agency with Kenneth Earle, before launching her own talent agency under the banner of Whatever Artists Management, in partnership with her husband Ray Millar.

Work took Jenny all over the world with corporate clients including Virgin Atlantic and an event for Coca-Cola that resulted in her receiving the ‘Best Entertainment’ award at the Special Event Show in America.

Her passion for dance and the arts continued throughout her life, and she was the booking agent for corporate events for several Strictly Come Dancing professionals.

Jenny joined the council of The Entertainment Agents Association 31 years ago, attaining the status of executive vice president five years later and in 2003 she became its first Lady President (2003-2005), followed by a second presidential term from 2013-2015.

Christine Payne, former General Secretary of Equity, said of Jenny: “She was a powerhouse of integrity, intelligence and fun.”

Bob James, president of The Entertainment Agents’ Association, also paid tribute.

He said: “Jenny was a great agent, considerate to artists and hirers alike. "She had a great talent in finding unknown artists and bringing the best out of them by the time she brought them to the attention of the public. “Artistic, considerate, caring and generous to a fault - one of the old school with new ideas.”

Jenny died on March 25, aged 71.