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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Landi Oshinowo is currently playing Mrs Phelps in the London production of Matilda the Musical. Her other credits include arene in The Color Purple (Leicester Curve/Birmingham Hippodrome); Nell in Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Mercury Colchester/Southwark Playhouse); Widow Zuma in A Little Princess (Royal Festival Hall); The Witch/Jenny Hill in Big Fish (The Other Palace); Hattie in Kiss Me Kate (Welsh National Opera); Joyce Heath in Barnum (UK tour); Miss Sherman in Fame (UK tour); Ensemble/understudy Sargent in The Light Princess (National Theatre); Poopsie in The Pajama Game (Chichester Festival Theatre); Dragon/Ugly Duckling in Shrek The Musical (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); understudy Deloris in Sister Act (London Palladium); Martha R/Gladys K in Dancing in the Streets (UK tour); Etta James in Sweet Soul Music (UK tour) and Acid Queen in Tommy (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?
Our day off at Matilda falls on a Monday, so I was at home when the news came that all theatres were to close. I was in shock even though we all knew there was a strong possibility of it happening. I don’t think any of us thought it would be quite so soon. I felt as if all the show energy was knocked out of me.
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
The most creative things I’ve done are recording songs with fellow performers for social media and writing material for my own projects. On Saturdays I volunteer at the breakfast club at my church, New Wine Church, were packs of food are handed out to the homeless and disadvantaged. We also prepare and deliver about 100 lunch packs to healthcare workers at our local hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich.
