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!
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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Nadim Naaman is an actor and the writer of new musical, Broken Wings. He starred in the production which made its West End debut at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. His other credits include Bertie Wooster in By Jeeves (The Old Laundry Theatre); Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre); Anthony in Sweeney Todd (Harrington Pie & Mash Shop); One Man Two Guvnors (National Theatre); Charles Clarke in Titanic (Southwark Playhouse); Anatoly in CHESS (The Union Theatre); Armand in Marguerite (The Tabard); James in James and The Giant Peach (The Watermill); Sam in Goodbye Barcelona (Arcola Theatre); Rolf in The Sound Of Music (London Palladium); Jamie in The Last Five Years (Jamie Hendry Productions).
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 a train back from Central London - the last time that I was ‘out and about’. I had just had a meeting for a potential show in November, and remember enjoying the quiet Southbank in the sunshine. My initial reaction to the virus’ impact had come one week earlier, when I lost my job in Athens (playing Raoul in The Phantom of The Opera). The Greek authorities beat the UK to taking steps to close theatres and similar venues, so I had already dealt with the reality of shows closing, losing my job etc. To be honest, my reaction to it happening in London was: ‘finally!’ In my opinion, it had been clear that this needed to happen for days if not weeks sooner, as was the case in many other countries. I was worried about how much the virus was spreading in and around those packed theatres. It was completely the right thing to do - which everyone, of course, now understands.
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
My primary focus has been on what is (hopefully) the other side of this chapter; the later stages of the year. I have been working hard on re-adjusting plans we had for Broken Wings, which has had its momentum halted since we played Dubai Opera House earlier in the year. And more recently, I have jumped into my next musical; one silver lining of all this free time is the ability to write on a daily basis, so our first draft should be ready months sooner than we had initially planned. I have also joined Cameo, so have enjoyed recording and writing songs at the request of fans online - it’s a fun way to earn a few £ and engage with those missing Theatre as much as we performers do.
