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!
Billy Cullum was most recently seen in Leave to Remain at the Lyric Hammersmith. His other credits include Ensemble & Cover Seymour & Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre); Mark Cohen in RENT (UK Tour, St. James Theatre); Ensemble/1st Cover Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre); Ensemble in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); Ensemble and understudy Michael Wormwood & Rudolpho in Matilda (Cambridge Theatre); Moritz in Spring Awakening (UK Tour); Jesus in Godspell (Union Theatre).
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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Billy Cullum was most recently seen in Leave to Remain at the Lyric Hammersmith. His other credits include Ensemble & Cover Seymour & Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre); Mark Cohen in RENT (UK Tour, St. James Theatre); Ensemble/1st Cover Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre); Ensemble in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); Ensemble and understudy Michael Wormwood & Rudolpho in Matilda (Cambridge Theatre); Moritz in Spring Awakening (UK Tour); Jesus in Godspell (Union Theatre).
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 sat at home in a bit of a mood that I wasn’t able to see Tori Kelly live at the Roundhouse that night. Myself and my best friend had tickets, the concert was still going ahead but it just didn’t feel sensible going. When the announcement of the theatre’s closing happened I was watching Tori Kelly videos on YouTube! I was shocked and sad that all my friends in the theatre world had their jobs just taken away from them in an instant. It’s such a strange thought that those theatre’s are all empty now. I feel so much for everyone dealing with this as the future is now so uncertain, but people within the world of theatre are incredible people and it’s amazing to see how people are adapting. I can’t wait once this is over for all the lights to be turned back on again and for theatre to thrive more than it ever has. People will need it after this.
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
I’ve had many days where I have just stayed on the sofa watching RuPaul’s Drag Race and Grey’s Anatomy but I have been really productive as well! Me and my partner were already in the process of writing a new musical so it’s given me a whole load of time to be creative and focus on that. It’s a family musical with such heart and emotion. It feels really special and I can’t wait to start workshopping the piece post lockdown. I also run my own theatre school in Kingston upon Thames called KiPA: Kingston Performers Academy which I’ve been utilising the online world to access my students and anyone else who loves performing. On our insta page @kipakingston from 26th April - 31st May, every Sunday at 2pm, you can tune into a live FREE West End workshop. We have Half a Sixpence, Six, Hamilton, Mary Poppins, Hairspray and Legally Blonde! I’ve also been doing live Q&A’s for the students with incredible talent including my friends and patrons Lucie Jones, Jenny O’Leary and Layton Williams, there’s lots more to come!
