Outside the Spotlight: Dreamy Battersea with Danielle Fiamanya | Captured by Liz

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It feels like we’re in Arendelle, as we’re wrapped up in big coats on a chilly December day. Battersea Park is looking cosy and crisp as I meet Danielle. Danielle graduated from The Guildford School of Acting in 2019, and went straight into playing Nettie in The Colour Purple at Curve Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome, for which she received the 2019 Stage Debut award. She was in &Juliet at the Shaftesbury Theatre when the industry was forced to close down. “We were just down for our warm-up when we found out. I think we kind of knew it was coming, but it was still a shock.” 

Just a few days before, Danielle had made her 2nd cover debut in the show as Juliet, alongside Alex Tranter as Shakespeare and Dillion Scott-Lewis as Romeo. “We had some illnesses, holidays and injuries in the cast just before we closed. When I went on on the Wednesday, I only found out about it on the day. I had just been for a singing lesson, and then got a message from Jordan (Luke Gage) saying ‘I’m so sorry I’m not there, I’m so excited for you. Have the best time!.’ And I didn’t even know yet what was going on”, she laughs. 

The Corona Diaries: Danielle Fiamanya

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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*

Danielle Fiamanya recently played Nettie in the Leicester Curve production of The Colour Purple fresh from graduating from the Guildford School of Acting, a role which earned her the 2019 Stage Debut Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She is currently in & Juliet at the Shaftesbury Theatre featuring in the ensemble and covering the role f Juliet. She also appeared in Prom Queen at the Other Palace. 

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 actually in the theatre with the full cast. I had already finished my show makeup and we had done the first half of our warm-up! Then people from every department started showing up on the stage. That's when I looked around and thought, it's happening. Initially, I felt like I expected it coming however over time I think that's when the shock kicked in of not getting to do what I love every day!

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

During this time I think I've actually shocked myself in how many things I can get stuck into! I will say, however, if you're not doing anything at this time, I believe that's completely okay, however, your mind and body deals with this time is your personal journey and there are no rules for this! Personally, at first it was extremely hard, I had no motivation, I had become a little unwell and I really just wanted to lie in bed! But after I got a little more positive and back to health, my body was craving fitness! For me being active a little bit every day is very important for my health and well being. I will do anything from a Joe wicks HIIT to some incredible dance classes I have done on Instagram live. Also I'm starting to get into reading again, I didn't have much time for it when I was back in the show but I'm enjoying it! I’ve also started a wee Instagram account with my best friend sharing some of our favourite health and well-being hacks and content, that keeps us super creative!