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!
Nathaniel Morrison most recently appeared in the West End cast of Waitress at the Adelphi theatre. His other credits include Stevie Wonder in Dancing In The Streets (Cambridge Theatre & UK tour); Jorge in Tonight’s the Night (UK tour); Trevor Nunn’s production of Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre); Napthali in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Adelphi Theatre); Sister Act (Palladium); Hair (Ljubljana Festival, Slovenia); Hairspray (UK tour); Jersey Boys (Piccadilly Theatre & UK/Ireland Tour) and Five Guys Named Moe (Marble Arch 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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Nathaniel Morrison most recently appeared in the West End cast of Waitress at the Adelphi theatre. His other credits include Stevie Wonder in Dancing In The Streets (Cambridge Theatre & UK tour); Jorge in Tonight’s the Night (UK tour); Trevor Nunn’s production of Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre); Napthali in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Adelphi Theatre); Sister Act (Palladium); Hair (Ljubljana Festival, Slovenia); Hairspray (UK tour); Jersey Boys (Piccadilly Theatre & UK/Ireland Tour) and Five Guys Named Moe (Marble Arch 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 on my scheduled holiday in Israel when I got the news. Although I had thoughts of there being a possibility that the Pandemic could amount to the closure of theatres, (considering the discussions I had concerning the complexity of me still going on my holiday with my then incredible company manager Phil Sykes), I was somewhat hopeful that it wouldn’t amount to that and by the time I returned, the virus might be under some kind of control!
Obviously, quite the contrary soon became apparent and I soon acknowledged the severity of the situation. My initial response was shock and that awful, sinking feeling you get in the pit of your stomach. I immediately began to entertain the idea of there being a stop put to something that I love in a production I love containing an incredible company of cast members, Stage Management, Band members, technical crew and Front of house staff! A sadness came over me and my mind began to race concerning the domino effect it will have on all businesses and us all as a nation!
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
Since the pandemic, I was approached to do an online concert entitled 'Leave a light on' produced by the fantastic Theatre Café and Lambert Jackson for which I was humbled and grateful to be included in as it was a great opportunity to do something to show love and help encourage solidarity within our industry.
After weeks of reluctance, I eventually succumbed to the notion that with all the lovely Caribbean cuisine at my disposal having returned to my Birmingham family home- I ought to take advantage of my incredible theatrical counterparts Instagram live fitness workouts! I really do admire them! Needless to say, I soon discovered that becoming unfit is something that can occur almost overnight! Now I make it my business to work out at least 3 times a week.
On top of that, I’m still liaising with clients who continue to show interest in The West End Gospel Choir, adjudicate on the panel for West End MT’s online auditions as well as facilitate masterclasses and q & a sessions for the incredible, unwavering and determined students there.
