The Corona Diaries: Niall Sheehy

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!

Niall Sheehy was most recently seen playing the Prince in Cinderella on tour around Ireland. His other credits include Ensemble in Les Miserables: The All-Star staged Concert (Gielgud Theatre); Frederick Barrett in Titanic the Musical (Charing Cross Theatre, UK Tour & International Tour); Pure Imagination (St James); cover Chris in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre); cover Enjolras in Les Misérables (Queens Theatre); Cover Lancelot, Galahad & Robin in Spamalot (UK tour); Cover Fiyero in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre); Anglo: The Musical (Bord Gáis, Dublin); The Beauty Queen Of Leenane (International Theatre, Frankfurt); The Route To Happiness (Landor) and Carson/Peter in A Man of No Importance (Union & Arts 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 had actually just moved house on the Sunday and I was unpacking and trying to sort everything out. If I’m being honest, I thought it was a good idea and was glad it was happening, but I never thought it would go on as long as it has, but having said that I also never expected to see the fatality numbers we have seen, either, so I can’t solely focus on the effect on our industry and ignore the effect the pandemic has had on other people’s lives.

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

I have actually kept myself pretty busy. I bought Jamie Oliver’s “5 Ingredients” cookbook and have been shamefully realising, at the age of 39, how easy it is to cook certain delicious meals. I had also taken up CrossFit just before the lockdown, At Sleven Fitness in Vauxhall (although they have since disaffiliated from Crossfit due to comments made regarding the BLM movement, which was a positive response). Sleven has been running daily and weekly tasks and workouts, which have really helped to keep me sane during the lockdown, as well as keep me in some sort of decent shape. I have also been trying to teach myself how to play the guitar, but the less you ask me about my progress there, the better!

Where are they now? Superstar

Following on from the original BBC produced reality shows How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, Any Dream Will Do, I'd Do Anything and Over the Rainbow. Other programme also include Grease is the Word (The search for Danny and Sandy) and Fame: The musical (the search for Nick and Serena). Andrew Lloyd Webber moved the programme over the ITV and produced 'Superstar', the search for Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar for the UK Arena Tour. Jason Donovan, Melanie C and Dawn French headed the judging panel with Amanda Holden hosting. If you are a theatre geek like me, you'll remember these TV shows! And if you don't, you'll certainly know some of the contestants. So, where are they now? 

Ben Forster

After winning the ITV show Superstar, Ben went on to star as Jesus in the arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and later reprised his role in the North American tour (which was later cancelled). He went on to play Brad in the 40th Anniversary tour of the Rocky Horror Show and the televised production at the Playhouse Theatre, Magaldi in Evita (Dominion Theatre); Buddy in Elf (Dominion Theatre); the title role in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's); A Night at the Musicals (Wales Millennium Theatre) and The Best of the West End (Royal Albert Hall). @thebenforster ‏

Rory Taylor

After coming in second to Ben Forster in the competition, Rory went on to play Simon and covered the role of Jesus in the Arena tour. He was also apart of the Australian tour and North American tour of the show. He went on to play Roger in the 20th Anniversary tour of RENT and most recently appeared in the UK & European tour of Thriller Live! where he also appeared in the West End production. @RoryTaylor54321 ‏

Roger Wright

After coming third on Superstar, Roger wrote his own show which premiered at the Leicester Square Theatre in October 2012. He has since appeared in the feature film Meet Pursuit Delange, as Paul Robeson in Genius 2 (National Geographic) and as a guest entertainer in the cabaret Feel Good Show which, as well as touring, played a stint at the Other Palace. @Rogerwright1

David Hunter

David Hunter was most recently seen playing Dr. Pomatter in the Broadway transfer of Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre. His other credits include Charlie Price in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre); Horton the Elephant in Seussical (Arts Theatre); Tommy in Concert (Prince Edward Theatre); John in The Hired Man (Leicester Curve and Colchester Mercury) and starred as Guy in Once (Phoenix Theatre). David released his EP in 2018, entitled Silver Linings which is available on iTunes. @thedavidhunter ‏ 

Nathan James

After coming 5th on the TV show, he was scouted by the Trans Siberian Orchestra, he was flown to the USA to audition and went on to go to America to join the band for their Arena tour and appeared in UK stage show Bohemian Rhapsody: The Music of Queen. He is currently in the band 'Inglorious' who have recorded three albums and have been touring since forming in 2014. In 2018, he performed in the UK Arena tour of War of the Worlds. @TheNathanJames ‏

Jeff Anderson

After the programme, Jeff was chosen to be the understudy to Jesus in the touring production of the show. In 2014, he appeared on the Voice but failed to go past the audition stages. In 2016 he was charged with 15 sexual offences dating between 2005 and 2013. 

Jon Moses

Jon released his album entitled 'Journey' in 2017, he also released his debut EP 'Better Man' in 2012. Jon is a Director of a successful performing arts school based in Leeds called Stage Door Performing Arts, and also runs a company that helps vulnerable people throughout the UK ( B-Vocal ). Jon played the role of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at Gloucester Cathedral and also has appeared in pantomimes Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Beauty And The Beast and Rapunzel. @jonmosesvocals ‏

Niall Sheehy

Since leaving the show, Nialls credits incude ensemble and cover Enjolras in Les Miserables (Queens Theatre); Johnny in Cool Rider (Lyric Theatre); ensemble and covered Chris in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre); the world premiere of Pure Imagination (St. James Theatre), Barrett in Titanic the Musical (Charing Cross Theatre and International Tour); Sam Wheat in Ghost (UK Tour) and most recently he was seen in the West End cast of the Les Miserables staged concert at the Gielgud Theatre. He's also just played the Prince in Cinderella on tour around Ireland. @niallsheehy ‏

Tim Prottey-Jones

Although Tim missed out on the chance to play Jesus, he was cast in the tour of the show in the ensemble and understudy to the role of Judas. His credits since then include Michael in I Do! I Do! (Arts House International); Cover to Mark and Roger in RENT (UK Tour); Christian in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (The Old Joint Stock Theatre); Billy in Once (Phoenix Theatre) and Mutt and Cover Don, George & Mr Price in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre). As well as theatre, he is a singer, songwriter, musician and producer. @TimProtteyJones ‏

Dirk Johnson

Dirk currently resides in Germany. He went on to play Sky in Mamma Mia in Stuttgart at the Palladium theatre, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and played Gabe in the German production of Next to Normal. He now is the co-director of business Épique, a Raw Pâtisserie. 

Afnan Iftikhar

Now known as Afnan Prince, he is an accomplished Singer/Songwriter. He is Regularly featured on BBC Introducing, Featured as part of ‘the best live sessions' of 2015 by BBC Introducing, Award nominated songwriter ('Truth and season'- Best single @ UBEAT awards, 'She'-Songwriting Competition UK), he was the Winner of 'Best new artist of the year 2015' by Darkus Magazine and Afnan Prince's song “She” was used on the ITV show 'Diamond Geezers and Gold dealers'. @Afnan_prince ‏

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