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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Blair Anderson's credits include Assistant Director on Footloose (UK Tour); Assistant Director & Swing in American Idiot (UK Tour); Robertson Ay in Mary Poppins (UK Tour); Cosmo Brown in Singin' in the Rain (Cork Opera House); Dwayne in 9 to 5 (Upstairs at the Gatehouse); Feli in If the Lights are Too Bright (Ovalhouse); Robert in In Lambeth (Southwark Playhouse); Cat in the Hat in Seussical (Hong Kong) and Vinnie\Johnny in Blockbuster the musical (UK Tour).
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 had just been sent home from working on Harmony of the Seas for Royal Caribbean. We were in the first week of a three-week install process for the new theatre cast when all guest workers were asked to disembark and travel home. Luckily all cast members onboard Harmony were sent home shortly after. After landing in the UK and hearing the announcement from SOLT I went straight into a three week isolation period with my flatmates and started to create my new version of normal. Initially, I welcomed the change of pace and got started on all those odd jobs around the house that you just never get around to completing. This was paired with some real emotional moments of wonderful friends bringing us food deliveries - quite an extraordinary feeling for those that are used to being so independent.
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
Playing the piano (properly) has always been something I had hoped to get around to. So I downloaded a wonderful app and started brushing up on some old skills and learning some new ones. I keep my flatmates in shape with morning Bootcamp and Stretch exercises and offer an accessible and fun fitness class ‘Blair’s Bootycamp Camp’ on Saturdays at 11am. Tickets are available on Dice. I have also been teaching for Masters Performing Arts in their Virtual HQ and for PQA Full Time Academy.
