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!
Disney is a huge producer of massive spectacular theatrical productions which are remembered by those who see them for the rest of their lives. One of their most successful shows is The Lion King. Having run in the West End’s Lyceum Theatre since 1999, on Broadway since 1997 and with countless productions all over the world, it is not only one of Disney’s biggest theatre success stories but it's a huge phenomenon in the theatre world.
Since the show has been running for such a long time, it's come to the time where those who were in the show as children are now old enough to feature in the cast as adults! Angela Marie Hurst is one of them! Back in 2001 she played Young Nala in the production and now returns to the show as an adult in the ensemble of the show and understudying the role of Nala. Prior to appearing in the show when it reopens at the Lyceum Theatre on the 29th July 2021, Angela was part of the West End productions of Tina - The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre and Motown at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Angela isn’t the only one returning to the show, in its reopening in London The Lion King also welcomes Deja Linton who also previously played Young Nala, as well as Shak Gabbidon- Williams and Reece Darlington-Delaire who both played Young Simba. When we spoke to Angela about her return to the West End and The Lion King she told us how she couldn’t wait to get back, “Hearing the cast sing The Circle Of Life in the very opening will have me in tears!”. And we’re almost certain she won’t be the only one in tears in that opening number!
Even after appearing in a few West End shows already, Angela still feels very new to this industry. She tells us how she still feels she’s learning about the culture of the industry. There has been a lot of important issues being raised over the past year and the industry has really had to take a long hard look at itself to understand and move forward with the mistakes we’ve made in the past, we’re constantly growing and learning and this sector must become more inclusive in its representation. Angela agrees, saying “we could do with more education on racism, classism, colourism, LGBTQIA+ issues, Ableism, misogyny and mental health awareness. Over the pandemic, I think a lot of uncomfortable yet necessary conversations have been started which I think is great for our growth as a community.”
We think everybody can say they have learnt a lot about themselves over this past year. It’s given us a lot of time to reflect and understand what we need to do to look after ourselves. Angela tells us she is “absolutely not” the same person as she was before the pandemic. She offered advice out to those who may need it and says "Stay calm, stay focused, be patient and gentle with yourself and others.” Advice we think everybody can take on board in the world moving on and our industry coming back.
Over the pandemic, whilst waiting for The Lion King to reopen, Angela Marie Hurst has kept herself pretty busy. She has been expanding her knowledge and skills by doing some diploma courses in Psychotherapy and Counselling for Depression whilst also opening an online business and teaching beginners and children singing lessons. With a little bit of martial arts training, she has also been spending time with some of her family in Jamaica for the past two lockdowns.
The Lion King opens its door again on the 29th July 2021 and we cannot wait to have this show back. A feel-good show with some incredible artistry in it, the West End just wouldn’t be the same without it. When speaking to Angela Marie about the return of theatre she expressed her thrill in theatre finally coming back, when we asked her what was the thing she was most looking forward to she responded “being surrounded by live art!”, and she couldn’t be more correct. Live art is part of our culture and we need this.
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