The Corona Diaries: Jon Reynolds

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!

Jon Reynolds was most recently seen in the West End production of 9 to 5 as resident choreographer, Swing and Dance Captain. His other credits include assistant dance captain in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre); ensemble and understudy Captain Shultz in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre); ensemble in Grease (Piccadilly Theatre); ensemble in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre); Swing and understudy Nick, Goody and Joe Vegas in Fame (Shaftesbury Theatre); Jose in West Side Story (Kilworth House Open Air Theatre); ensemble and understudy Fred Casely in Chicago (Leicester Curve); ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar (international tour); Kiki in Legally Blonde (UK tour) and ensemble in Me and My Girl (UK tour). 

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 on stage at the Savoy theatre after taking warm up with the cast of 9 to 5. We had just finished physical and I went to the wings to grab some water, it was then I could see the general Manager of ATG - which obviously rang alarm bells. To be completely honest I'm a huge follower of the news and I kept updated with the pandemic globally most of the weekend so I had my speculations already. And therefore probably more mentally prepared than others. 

After the announcement I could see the genuine shock on peoples faces and disbelief. I went into a sort of ‘realist’ mode. Packed majority of my belongings and said my goodbyes - I do believe some of the cast thought I was being dramatic but unfortunately I called it right.

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

Well at first, in all honesty, I took a week or so to really think about what my hobbies were outside of theatre. As anybody who’s in the industry can probably relate to - theatre can take up your life and after 14 years it was strange to unpick/unbury my other passions. Firstly I ordered resistance bands and dumbbells as I'm sure most dancers, actors, fitness people did - at the fear of losing my fitness once theatre could return - and not knowing when gyms could re-open. But then I rolled out a yoga mat which was in my flat - not mine I’ll add and I switched YouTube on. I’d wanted to do yoga for years but never learnt and felt embarrassed to try. But ever since that first YouTube session I’ve done it every day since. It’s really helped with my clarity and given my days some structure.