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!
Ibinabo Jack was most recently seen in The High Table at the Bush Theatre. Her other credits include Immaculée in Our Lady of Kibeho (Royal & Derngate Theatre); Lorrell Robinson in the original London production of Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre); Ensemble/1st cover Nicki Marron in The Bodyguard (UK Tour); Julie in Hot Stuff (Oldham Coliseum Theatre); Come Closer - A Letter to You (Royal Exchange Theatre); Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors (Manchester Royal Exchange); Porgy & Bess (The Royal Danish Theatre); The Color Purple (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Pilar in Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre).
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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Ibinabo Jack was most recently seen in The High Table at the Bush Theatre. Her other credits include Immaculée in Our Lady of Kibeho (Royal & Derngate Theatre); Lorrell Robinson in the original London production of Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre); Ensemble/1st cover Nicki Marron in The Bodyguard (UK Tour); Julie in Hot Stuff (Oldham Coliseum Theatre); Come Closer - A Letter to You (Royal Exchange Theatre); Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors (Manchester Royal Exchange); Porgy & Bess (The Royal Danish Theatre); The Color Purple (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Pilar in Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre).
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 Bush Theatre warming up before a performance of The High Table (written by Temi Wilkey and directed by Daniel Bailey) when the Artistic Director Lynette Linton and Producer Jessica Campbell called our cast into the theatre and broke the news to us. It was surreal. We were supposed to be doing a final week at the Bush followed by 3 weeks at Birmingham Rep. I remember feeling numb and disoriented as I packed up my dressing room.
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
I’ve honestly been really grateful for rest! I’ve been watching a lot of TV, revisiting old favourites like Modern Family and I’ve been watching a film with my friend Nkechi at 8 (ish) every night. We take it in turns to chose the title and we text each other throughout. I’ve always written poetry and short stories so it’s been lovely having the time to develop some of my older ideas and I’ve started to write a play that I’ve been putting off for ages!
