These recent times have been some of the hardest challenges we've faced and as a community, it hit us pretty hard. However during these difficult times, here at Pocket Size Theatre, we wanted to spread a little positivity and share some peoples experiences because we are all in this together. Each day we'll be speaking to our friends in the industry to share their experiences with you all so take a read and see how people are getting through these hard times.
Let's stick together, share the love and get through this as a community!
*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation. Please keep that in mind when reading*
Alessia McDermott was most recently seen in the original cast of Back to the Future at the Manchester Opera House. Her other credits include Ensemble/Cover Baby in Dirty Dancing (UK Tour); Ensemble/First Cover Frenchy & Cha Cha in Grease (UK Tour); Ensemble in Peter Pan (QDOS); Princess Jasmine in Aladdin (Polka Dot Pantomimes) and Dancer/Singer in Beauty and the Beast (Paul Holman Associates).
On Monday 16th March 2020, The Society of London Theatre announced the closure of all Theatres in London. This followed suit with regional venues. Where were you when you found out and what was your initial reaction?
At the time I was doing Back to the Future in Manchester, however, we were given two days off so I’d gone back to London for the weekend. I was just preparing my things ready for the following morning when I’d be getting the train back up to Manchester when I heard the news. Honestly I was devastated, but I kind of knew it was coming so I wasn’t shocked. As devastating as it was for the theatres to go dark I knew that going forward it was the safest, most sensible thing to do. Although for a couple of hours, before they announced the closure of regional theatres I was texting my castmates like “Do we get on the train to Manchester tomorrow!? What’s happening!”
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
As soon as lockdown started and I knew there wouldn’t be much to do for me, I immediately started volunteering! Firstly, I went on Facebook where I found a local volunteer group. We have one big Whatsapp group where our coordinator Julie offers out jobs and it's first come first serve. Secondly, I applied to be an NHS Volunteer responder and was successful! Both groups involve helping out vulnerable people who are at home self-isolating and can’t leave. I pick up prescriptions and drop them off to people who need help, or I’ll go out and do someone’s food shop and so on. Its been great because it keeps me busy and gets me out of the house and it’s also great to meet new people. Sometimes I’ll sit 2 metres from and old ladies front door and just have a good old chat if they’re feeling lonely!
