Pocket Size Theatre and Liza Heinrichs (Captured by Liz) have teamed up again and created our new series 'Coming Home'. In this new piece, we look at the reopening of Theatres in London and around the country and celebrate our industry coming back. We got together some performers who will be some of the first to return to theatres and created this piece to bring some positivity to the theatre industry which has been through one of the toughest years in our lifetime. Whilst it is important to acknowledge the hardships we've all gone through, it's important we pull together as a community and celebrate our beloved industry finally coming back!
Theatres were some of the first things to completely shut down when the pandemic hit. After the news of Broadway closing, it wasn’t long before the West End and theatres up and down the country followed suit. Joaquin Pedro Valdes was appearing in the UK and International touring production of The King and I. The show had previously had a hugely successful run in America and had subsequently transferred to the London Palladium with this tour following. However, due to the pandemic, the production was shut down in March 2020.
Joaquin was appearing in the ensemble of the show and was also covering Lun Tha and the Kralahome. After this amazing show being shut down, Joaquin was actually one of the first people to be employed again in a fully staged theatre production, as he appeared in ‘Fanny and Stella’ at the Garden Theatre in the summer of 2020. This was the first stage show to be fully mounted since the pandemic hit. The theatre continued with this success and opened productions of Pippin, Next Thing You Know and Naked Boys Singing, to name just a few!
Speaking to Joaquin about his work over the pandemic, he tells us how he tried to take jobs outside of the industry but actually work picked up for him in the commercial sector. “It might not be as glitzy and as glamorous as what we’re used to, but I was just so grateful to have some opportunity and income. It was a difficult year and I have incredible respect for everyone who found means and ways to keep doing what they love.” Having a more stable income meant that he could dedicate some time to really working on his craft, telling us that it was a great way for him to channel his creativity whilst working on his skills; “I decided that this quiet season would be a great time for me to work on my craft. I busied myself taking Meisner classes, Dramatic Combat classes, accent workshops, and joining Shakespeare readings. I guess with theatres shut, the bug in me needed to be fed.”
When we spoke to Joaquin about what kind of advice he would give people struggling right now, he approached it with a very positive and refreshing attitude. With the light at the end of the tunnel getting brighter by the day he urges people to move forward towards that light, even if it may be small, blurred or flickering. “As actors, we’re taught to ‘find our light’ and in many situations, it feels quite difficult to do so. But it is always there. Now that life and things seem to go back to normal, I keep telling myself to never take things for granted. There is always something to hope for, something good to expect, something worthwhile to wait on.”
Reflecting on what kind of effect the pandemic will have on the industry, we touched on how there seems to be more of an open and honest discussion about topics that were previously taboo: “Issues about race, equality, representation, gender, diversity, mental health, safe spaces, industry practices, and industry opportunities filled our timelines, zoom calls and inboxes. I don’t think there is a quick fix or magic pill to erase or solve the issues, but welcoming the constant, open and honest discussion of these is an important first step.” Joaquin urges us to make sure we are listening to each other and are empathising with one another's experiences so we can move on and start a healing process which is very much needed in our industry. He speaks about how we’re all in this for the same reason, our love for the art. “Love for the craft, love for the industry, love for the audiences, love for the creatives, colleagues and co-actors and love for the people who continue to share in the stories and songs that we tell. I think if we act from a place of Love, we create a broader, wider, safer and more inclusive industry for all of those who truly love it, to thrive.”
Joaquin has recently been announced to feature in the West End cast of Heathers. Whilst the show is about to launch its first UK tour it is also returning to London in its West End transfer home, the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Joaquin will be playing Ram Sweeney in the show, which also marks his West End debut! We wanted to know what he’s most excited about and it seems he’s just pumped to be back in the theatre again; “A packed theatre, the beginners call, and that silence right before the music starts. It’s my favourite part of a live, communal, theatre experience. That moment when we all simultaneously take a deep breath in hopeful anticipation of something incredible, something magical.”
Heathers opens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on the 21st June 2021 and runs through to the 12th September 2021. We cannot wait to see this show not only back in the West End but also around the UK! HOW VERY!
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