COMING HOME: Richard Carson, just reopened in Les Misérables at the Sondheim 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!

Richard Carson is no stranger to Les Miserables, having been in the show previously at the Sondheim Theatre and in the concert production at the Gielgud theatre. He has played Combeferre whilst also covering the role of Javert and will return to the show in its West End home once again in the reopening. The concert production returned on the 20th May 2021 with an all-star cast, Richard included. 

A truly well-seasoned performer, Richard has had the pleasure of being in a wide variety of shows across his career; from classics like Oklahoma for the BBC at the Royal Albert Hall, the lead role of Sky in Guys and Dolls for the Mill at Sonning and the recent London Palladium revival production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to modern musical staples like covering Fiyero in Wicked on tour, playing Sky in Mamma Mia and even covering Chris in the revival of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre. With this crazily impressive CV, he tells us of the importance of really relishing in each and every single moment; “the key will be to savour each moment that little bit more. Go out, see the world, see friends and family, and enjoy yourself.” A tip I think we all can learn from. This past year has been hard-hitting and we could all do with treasuring each moment we have a little bit more. 

The Corona Diaries: Richard Carson

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* 

Richard Carson is currently appearing in the London production of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre. His other credits include Reuben/cover Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium); Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (The Mill, Sonning); Sky in Mamma Mia! (Novello); ensemble/cover Chris in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward); ensemble/cover Fiyero in Wicked (UK and Ireland tour); Strephon in Sasha Regan’s All-Male Iolanthe (UK tour), Jason in Myth (The Other Palace); ensemble/Farmer in Oklahoma! (Royal Albert Hall, BBC Proms); Man One in Closer Than Ever (The Pheasantry) and John in The Hired Man (Bernie Grant Centre).

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 my dressing room, it was so odd. We were told ‘no warm-up but meet on stage’ so we knew something was up. When we were called off, our dressing room stayed and had a few drinks knowing we might not be back for some time. Such a weird feeling!

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

I’ve been live-streaming some fitness classes on my Instagram (1pm Fridays, join me!), and also been hosting workouts and quizzes for our Les Mis cast. It’s a nice way to keep in touch with everyone and keep my brain active.