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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Christopher Howell is due to appear in Hairspray at the London Coliseum. His other credits include Goldilocks and the Three Bears & Cinderella (London Palladium); Bert Barry in 42nd Street, Anything Goes & Sir Reginald Tarrington in My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); Arthur in Made In Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre); Percival Murray in Stephen Ward (Aldwych Theatre); Dr Dillamond & The Wizard in Wicked (Apollo Victoria); Farmer Sutcliffe/Arthur Cunliffe in Betty Blue Eyes (Novello); Rex de Havilland in Too Close to the Sun (Comedy); Raymond Neff in The Witches of Eastwick (Prince of Wales); Sir in Side Show (Southwark Playhouse); the title character in Sweeney Todd (Union Theatre); Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls (Marigny Theatre Paris); Sheriff Earl in Love Me Tender (Tour); Gus/Bustopher Jones in Cats (Tour); Amos Hart in Chicago (Tour); Marksman/1st cover Firmin in The Phantom of the Opera (Tour) and Priest/Herold in Jesus Christ Superstar (Tour).
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 literally just finished my first day of rehearsals for the London revival of Hairspray when we all got that fateful news. We had a meet and greet (always horrific and you only have to same your name) and started re-learning the finale as I'd done the show before. I was aware that things were getting serious as I had relatives in a care home that had shut its doors the week before.
I had just been doing another production of Hairspray at HMP Bronzefield for Pimlico Opera and it was very clear that this virus was becoming a serious threat, particularly in a Prison. With the potential of the lockdown in mind, my partner and I went to see the excellent ‘The Wicker Husband’ the weekend before at The Watermill in Newbury choreographed by Steven Harris (my brother in law) and directed by Charlotte Westenra, who had created a beautiful piece of theatre which also included my pal Zoe Rainey, who incidentally I met on Hairspray years ago - I hope that show gets a chance at another life someday.
