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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Leon Craig is currently playing Sandra Bollock in the London company of Everybody's Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre. His other credits include Babkak & cover Genie in Disney’s West End Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre); Audrey II “Voice of the plant” in Little Shop Of Horrors (Salisbury Playhouse & Mercury Theatre); Queen Of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland (UK tour); King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar (World Arena tour); Rodney in My Big Gay Italian Wedding (Greenwich Theatre); Melvin P Thorpe in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Union Theatre); Company in Myths & Hymns (Finborough Theatre, London); Sid/Inventor in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK tour); Montel/Jesus in Jerry Springer The Opera (Cambridge Theatre) and Chuck Brown in Over the Rainbow (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?
Well, I was meant to be laid on a beach in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) in the Caribbean with my good friend Adam Strong, as we both booked a weeks holiday off work from our shows, we were meant to be flying out on Sunday the 15th March from London Gatwick, but because of the COVID -19 the airport decided to close the airspace (which was disappointing not gonna lie) so our holiday was cancelled.
So to cheer ourselves up we decided to have a spa day Sunday/Monday and then drive back to our family homes. When I was told about the closures of the theatre I was gutted, not just for me but also my Jamie family in London, but I had a feeling this was something that might last a while, but I am happy I am back at my home in Manchester with my family. Happy days!
Can you tell us anything productive you've been doing?
Well, I have decided to do a new project called A BREW AND A BISCUIT which is my new online chat show where I chat and check in on an amazing line up of famous friendly faces I have worked with over the years, Have had some great friends on the show up to now, American Singer-songwriter (Melody Thornton) and TVs Personality and Ex Towie star (Dan Osborne) And Strictly Come Dancing sensation The Lovely (Debbie Mcgee) it's every Friday on my Instagram live at 8 pm, hope to see lots more people joining me, make sure to grab A Brew and a Biscuit though!
