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!
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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Ben Irish was most recently seen playing Joe in 9 to 5 at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End. His other credits include Rusty Charlie/ Ensemble in Guys and Dolls (The Mill at Sonning); Toxie/Melvin in The Toxic Avenger (Arts Theatre); Cover Sam Wheat/Carl in GHOST The Musical (Asia tour); Josephine in the All-Male HMS Pinafore (UK tour), Ensemble in Ultimate Broadway (Shanghai Culture Square); Ensemble/Cover Mabel in the All-Male Pirates of Penzance, Prince Charming in Cinderella (Stag Theatre); Great British Musicals (St James Theatre); West End Heroes (Dominion Theatre); 42nd Street Gala (London Palladium); Three Composers, Three Countries (Landor Theatre) and Prince Edward in Cinderella (Wakefield Theatre Royal).
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?
When I found out that our theatre was closing we were mid-warm-up getting ready for the show. There was already a very odd vibe in the theatre as we were all very aware of what was going on elsewhere in the world. We'd completed our physical warm-up then started to get messages through from other shows saying then had been cancelled. When we got the news we were cancelled too it was a very sad atmosphere at 9to5 as we knew this probably meant some if not all of us wouldn't finish our run at the Savoy. It was recently announced that we will not be finishing.
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
Now in week four of isolation, it becomes harder as well as easier to handle. All jobs around the house have been done, love living in a show home, my housemates and I are on our third 1000 piece puzzle, we are doing lots of home workouts, baking and this week we have taken our talents to basic carpentry, collected wooden pallets and made some benches for the garden as it looks like we'll be spending far more time there! Now to learn how to make cushions for it! Also setting aside time to keep practising our craft is important, obviously, it's much harder to dance a routine in the lounge but I set aside time to sing just to keep the muscles working.
