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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Christopher Gopaul will be playing Gilbert in Hairspray when it opens at the London Coliseum. His other credits include Swing in Motown the Musical (UK Tour); Beauty and The Beast (Oakengates Theatre); Peter Pan and Cinderella (Octagon Theatre, Yeovil).
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 got home from my first day of rehearsals for Hairspray. I logged on to twitter to see what all my friends and those I followed had been up to for the day, and immediately my heart dropped. It was on Twitter that I found out about the closure of all shows in London. It was so gutting to see for many different reasons. Firstly, I was preparing for my West End debut which is something I had dreamed about for years, at that point, it seemed certain that it would not be happening. But aside from that, I was also heartbroken for all of my friends in the industry who I know are in shows in and around London, as well as tours across the country. Some of my friends were due to be making their debuts in shows that night, or the next day and it felt so bad knowing that all the hard work they had put in over the previous weeks was not going to come to light. But, as upsetting as this was to read about, the tone of social media and my friends changed. Everyone was quickly coming to each other's side and the strong message of “we will be back” was out there. That was so uplifting to see, and the beginning of the immense support that this industry gives to all of its family.
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
I’ve been doing as much as I can to keep myself occupied during this time. Logging onto people’s classes over Instagram and Facebook, ballet classes via Vimeo in the garden and of course, a bit of baking too. My partner had just set up his own stage school prior to the closure of everything, and so I’ve been working hard with him to set up virtual classes so that he can keep the school running online. This has been brilliant as it has kept my creative side going as well making me brush up on my own technique and basics, whilst teaching others. As part of Stage Academy we also put together a charity song and video called “Thank you NHS” which was so great to be part of, and for a wonderful cause as well! I recently got in contact with my old dance school in my hometown and did a workshop in support of the NHS, as well as setting up classes over Zoom for the schools that I regularly teach at. When things aren’t scheduled I just take each day as it comes and think to myself, what can I achieve today?
