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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Emily Tierney was most recently seen in the UK tour of Club Tropicana, playing Christine. Her other credits include Carrie Carter/Super Hot Lady in Eugenius! (The Other Palace); Molly in Ghost (Asia Tour); Glinda in Wicked (UK Tour); Glinda in The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium); Sally in All the Fun at the Fair (Garrick Theatre); Ensemble and cover Nessarose in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre) and Alice Bearne in Titanic the Musical (Shaw 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 actually visiting my parents (the last time I saw them before lockdown). I was deeply saddened for all my friends and colleagues currently performing in shows and for our industry as a whole, but was half expecting it. It seemed inevitable with the way the virus was spreading in London.
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
I have been baking! Too much! Aside from cakes and loaves of bread I have been really trying to take care of my mental and physical health as best I can so lots of yoga, long walks (I live in South West London with lots of surrounding green space, thankfully), reading, watching Netflix, painting (when I have the patience), photography and taking time to cook lovely meals and pretend I’m on Masterchef! I’ve just been trying to listen to my body and mind and give it what it needs each day.
Some days that looks like a 15-mile hike in the Surrey hills followed by a few hours doing an online photography course and sometimes it involves sitting on my sofa in my dressing gown until 4pm staring into space! I think the trick is to be kind to yourself and not let anyone shame you into feeling that you must be productive every day. In terms of acting/singing, I live in an apartment with rather thin walls and a slightly volatile neighbour so have sadly had to decline the kind offers to perform in various online concerts that have been happening - dreaming of that detached house with a studio! I have been involved in some lovely charity initiatives though, raising money for wonderful charities like the Mad Trust and Acting for Others who work to support people in our industry in times of hardship.
