Outside the Spotlight: A trip down memory lane with Christopher Parkinson | Captured by Liz

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Coffee at the ready, a gloomy day in London sets us up for today's instalment of Outside the Spotlight. We literally embark on a walk down memory lane, as Chris leads me around Central London and theatreland, reminiscing about the incredible stages in the city he has gotten to be on and the roles he has gotten to play so far in his career. Having worked on television, film and theatre, we go back to where it all began - the stages of London.

Currently part of the original cast of smash hit &Juliet, Chris started his performing journey at a young age. Seventeen years ago (I know right?), he was cast as Billy Elliot for the first workshop of the show. The workshop process took place at the American Church on Tottenham Court Road, and was later performed at the Old Vic. “I remember one day, my company manager came up to me and told me to go downstairs for a rehearsals. So 10 year old me heads downstairs, I open the door, and sitting there is Sir Elton John at the piano, waiting for me. He taught me Electricity!” Fast forward a decade and a bit, Chris is back at the American Church for another workshop: &Juliet. Talk about full circle! “Being with a show from the beginning is so special! And so rare to get an opportunity like that! It’s a new musical, a new British musical! It’s such a dream to be a part of an original creation and be a small part in forming it. Especially with a show like this, which features so many iconic songs from our generation. Performing a Katy Perry song in front of Katy Perry surely was a once in a lifetime experience.”

The Corona Diaries: Christopher Parkinson

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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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 Parkinson is currently in the London cast of & Juliet at the Shaftsbury Theatre. His other credits include Swing in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre); Ensemble/cover Brad, Eddie, Dr Scott and Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show (International tour); Kieran in Somebody’s Son (UK Tour); Young Stormy in Moonshadow workshop, Paul in Barney’s Colourful World (UK tour), Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical workshop (Old Vic) and Jeremy Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium).

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?

The day theatres went into lockdown was a pretty rubbish day for me. I’d just got back from spending a week in America and the Caribbean visiting my friend who was doing Hairspray on Royal Caribbean. It was my first day back since my holiday and at around 1pm I found out I was going on for my principle cover for the first time. I’d waited a year to get out there and play the part so I was so ready! I rang my family and they booked the tickets and took three trains from Manchester to make the show, my agent bought a ticket and so did my partner. I headed into work early to go over the show, just to make sure I was as prepared as I could be. We went down for warm-up at 18:00, just after physical warm-up we were told the show would be closing with immediate effect. Naturally I was devastated I rang my family who’d just arrived into London and went and met them at the train station we spent the next hour in a Starbucks just reflecting on the events. I came to the realisation that everything happens for a reason and hopefully next time I get the chance to go on it will be even more special than It would of been that night! Who knows when it will be? I’ve waited a year so a few more months can’t hurt!

Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing? 

Since lockdown I’ve really gotten into my fitness! I’m the biggest fan of sitting on the couch all day in front of the television eating chocolate! I had a eureka moment about 2 weeks into lockdown. I feel like now is the perfect time to get in shape. Some might disagree but eating well is easy to do when you can’t go out for dinner and you’ve got spare time on your hands! I know what I’m eating because I’m cooking it from fresh and working out fills part of my day so it’s keeping me active. Usually I would rely on the show to replace my daily exercise routine but without it, I've had time to focus on what I want to gain with regards to my physique and my lifestyle. I got myself an online PT and so far I’m 7lb down!