The Corona Diaries: Craig Mather

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!

Craig Mather was most recently seen in Les Miserables: The All-Star Concert at the Gielgud Theatre. His other credits include Edward in Pieces of String (Mercury Theatre); Mole in The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium); Marius in Les Miserables (Queen's Theatre); Antony in Sweeney Todd (Harrington’s Pie Shop/West End); Stuart in Tonight's The Night (UK Tour); Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk (Clywd Theatr Cymru); Melchior in Spring Awakening (English Theatre Frankfurt); Simon in Concrete Jungle (The Other Palace) and A Celebration of Lionel Bart (Royal Festival Hall). 

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 at home with my little one and I think we had just been for our weekly swimming session at the local leisure centre. Little did we know it would be our last for a while! I couldn’t believe the news, I knew it was coming as Broadway had closed the week before. I suddenly thought of all my friends in this industry that this would really hit hard and obviously, as it's close to me, people with kids and families to pay for. 

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

Keeping fit has been a huge part of keeping sane during this time, been keeping on top of that. Also, I've been doing lots of writing for the first time in years, I've just not had the time to do it. I'm actually writing with Gus Gowland, the writer of Pieces of String. And we have found a great working relationship and something we both found quite exciting. We are doing a kind of concept album of original Pop songs around the subject of someone who suffers from mental health. I've found it very therapeutic. Watch this space! I've also ran a weekly singalong session on zoom with my wife Rosie Mather, which was in association with The Mercury Theatre Colchester online program. Which I found super fun and had great feedback from all.