COMING HOME: Nicholas McLean, starring in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre

Pocket Size Theatre and Liza Heinrichs (Captured by Liz) have teamed up again and created our new series 'Coming Home'. In this new piece, we look at the reopening of Theatres in London and around the country and celebrate our industry coming back. We got together some performers who will be some of the first to return to theatres and created this piece to bring some positivity to the theatre industry which has been through one of the toughest years in our lifetime. Whilst it is important to acknowledge the hardships we've all gone through, it's important we pull together as a community and celebrate our beloved industry finally coming back! 

Wicked is a modern musical theatre phenomenon, having opened in London in 2006 its enjoyed a hugely successful run at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and will be celebrating its 15th year in London this coming autumn. It has made stars of those who perform in it and with its huge fanbase, the support for the people in the show is just through the roof. And rightly so, this wonderful show has something in it for everyone and the story couldn’t get more universal. 

Nicholas McLean was featured in the show playing Boq before the theatres closed their doors back in March 2020. He had actually been on a 5-day break from the show with the plan to return that evening, only to be sent home not knowing when he would make a return. Previously to appearing in Wicked, he was seen in Cinderella at the Mercury Theatre and also in the Avenue Q tour as Gary Coleman. His other credits include The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Sister Act at the Gordon Craig Theatre and South Pacific at the St James Concert Hall. 

Outside the Spotlight: Reminiscing around the National with Nicholas McLean | Captured by Liz

Outside the Spotlight is brought to you by Captured by Liz in partnership with Pocket Size Theatre, this series of articles is sponsored by Pointe & Flex, a stylish and motivational stationery brand created for dancers, dance teachers and everything in between! From diaries to notebooks, pens to pencils, planners to action lists, Pointe & Flex are here to make sure you stay on top of everything so you can thrive in your industry. Click here to find out more.

Grey concrete buildings melt into the grey sky on this wintery day, as we meet outside the closed National Theatre. Nick has a long connection to the iconic venue. “It really sparked my interest, and love, for theatre.” His secondary school had a great collaboration with the National, which enabled various school trips to see productions, as well as putting on shows as well. “I spent a lot of time here as a kid.” 

You can see how important and long lasting early exposure and involvement in theatre can be, as Nick went on to study at Mountview for three years and has quite a few shows under his belt now. When theatres were forced to close, Nick was part of WICKED in the West End, playing the role of Boq 8 shows a week. “I had actually been on holiday the week before, and we were all at the theatre when we got the news theatres would close. Broadway had obviously shut down already, so we knew it was coming, but it was still a weird feelings.” 

The Corona Diaries: Nicholas McLean

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* 

Nicholas McLean is currently playing Boq in the London production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. His other credits include Gary Coleman in Avenue Q (UK & Ireland tour); Benny in Pied Piper (Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot); Henri and ensemble in South Pacific (St James Concert and Assembly Hall, Guernsey); The Doctor in The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales); TJ in Sister Act (Gordon Craig Theatre) and Baxter in The Tale of Mr Tumble (Manchester International Festival).

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 in the auditorium at The Apollo Victoria Theatre with the full company and front of house team. I’d been on holiday the week before and I remember reading that Broadway had closed down so I knew it was inevitable that the West End would follow suit, but it didn’t soften the blow. I remember getting the train home that evening after a couple of extended goodbyes to the cast, I did, however, get a Pornstar Martini cocktail from M&S for the ride home though so there’s always a silver lining. 

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

I actually have to say that I find myself busier in Lockdown that I was in real life. I’ve made a conscious effort to fill the days with home improvements, exercise, rekindling my relationship with some of the musical instruments in my house (bless the neighbours having to listen to me attempt to remember how to play the Saxophone). I’d had a pretty relentless 2019 so I’m also enjoying taking the time to rest. That said I’m very much looking forward to testing out my well-rested voice when the theatres open up again.