Top Features on Pocket Size Theatre in 2020

One thing we LOVE doing here at Pocket is working on features; some are just a bit of fun, some are to promote the good people are doing and others to fulfill your stagey needs! They've always been a super popular thing on our site, so heres the top 10 features that you guys loved! 

Your 2020 Christmas List: Supporting small businesses in our community

This year, with the increase of people starting businesses due to being out of work, we thought we'd help promote some of those people and collected together some of the people we thought we particularly wonderful! Did you shop small this Christmas? 

15 Production Shots that describe the struggles of a Lockdown

The production shot artiles are still, to this day, our most viewed piece EVER! So, of course we had to make a Lockdown edition! Looking back on it, I can't say a lot has changed... 

Outside the Spotlight: Music Memories with Vicki Manser | 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.

 

It’s an exciting week for Vicki when we meet at Denmark Street in the middle of Central London. It’s the day “Could If I Wanted To”, her second single, got its first radio play. Vicki loves music, she loves her guitars, which is exactly why Denmark Street is one of her favourite spots in London. We wander past the music stores and shops, some open, some unfortunately closed this time. She talks about the time and memories she’s shared with the area, and there are a lot of them. “I’ve come here a lot over the years. I just love it.” 

The Corona Diaries: Vicki Manser

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* 

Vicki Manser was most recently seen as the alternate Carole King in Beautiful on tour. Her other credits include Katherine Howard and Alternate/Swing in Six (Arts Theatre); Swing in Bat Out of Hell (Dominion Theatre); understudy Carole King and Genie Klein in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre) and understudy Rasa, Mrs Davies/Marsha, Peggy, Joyce and Gwen in Sunny Afternoon (Harold Pinter 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 at home in my flat! The day before I had just got back from Cardiff which was the last venue I did with Beautiful and the Monday I was supposed to be travelling to Sunderland but I held off to see what news the daily announcement would say, that was the day people were advised not to go to theatres and after that, it was just a waiting game to see how long it would take theatres to officially close. It wasn't long because, of course, we didn't make it to Sunderland! I was gutted, I was having such a great time on tour but I knew everyone in the industry was in the same boat as me and so the next morning I decided to write a song and tried to spread a bit of love and light. 

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

I've actually been so busy in lockdown it's been crazy! But I am so grateful! I love to be busy; I teach a lot of workshops, I have regular jazz classes on Instagram and zoom for my college Sharpe Academy, I do regular fitness insta lives with one of my best friends who is a PT, I'm studying, I'm writing music, I've done a few live stream gigs and probably most excitingly, I've recorded my first single! I am so grateful for the opportunities that lockdown has given me and it's connected me with people and allowed me to work with people that maybe I never would have connected with before! It's very exciting! 

INTEVRIEW: Vicki Manser, currently in the cast of SIX at the Arts Theatre

Vicki Manser is currently one of the understudies in the hit musical SIX at the Arts Theatre. Her other credits include Swing in Bat Out of Hell (Dominion Theatre), u/s Carole King and Genie Klein in Beautiful the Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre), u/s Rasa, Mrs Davies/Marsha, Peggy, Joyce and Gwen in Sunny Afternoon (Harold Pinter Theatre). Other professional credits include Magic at the Musicals with the cast of Sunny Afternoon (The Royal Albert Hall) and a featured dancer for BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Tell us a about what Queens you play. 

I understudy all the Queens but I alternate for Anne Boleyn and Anna of Cleves. They are all amazing! 

What kind of research did you do to prepare for these roles. 

Initially I spent a lot of time watching the current cast because being a cover its important to slot in but since starting I have a new found obsession with Tudor documentaries! I also watched Beyoncés Live at Roseland before starting as the writers took inspiration from that concert. Its epic! 

How do you identify with these roles? 

Boleyn, I think, is the Queen that's closet to my personality. I have a lot of fun with her!