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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Alex Okoampa is currently in the London cast of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre. His other credits include Motown The Musical (UK & Ireland Tour), Babes in Arms (Ye Olde Rose and Crown).
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?
I was in my dressing room preparing for Tina Cast 3.0’s first ever dress run in costume and wigs. The wig team had popped in to tell us to come upstairs to get our wigs done, our dressers came to deliver our under garments and costumes, everything was literally in place for us to get ready and perform our first proper run before opening the show the next evening. That’s when we heard the stage manager through the tannoy asking us to come to stage.
My heart sank, I knew exactly what was happening, so I packed my bag before I went down to stage. We were anxious for about 2 weeks straight, following the updates on the virus during rehearsals at every chance we had.
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
Before Musical Theatre I made music. My music has been played on BBC Radio stations both up North and on Radio 1XTRA. However I wanted to fully immerse myself in the theatre world and make a name for myself, so I sort of put it on the back burner for a couple years. Since lockdown began I just found myself rediscovering the love I have for music all over again. Relearning, listening to various types of genres and albums. Music is so universal. So diverse. It tells so many stories, it has light and shade. Happiness and sadness. By doing that I rediscovered what sort of music I want to make again.
