The Corona Diaries: Alexia Khadime

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!

Alexia Khadime is currently in the original London company of The Prince of Egypt at the Dominion Theatre, playing Miriam. Her other credits include Laura in The Distance You Have Come (Cockpit Theatre); Rita Marley in One Love (Birmingham Rep); Princess Tahlia in Sleeping Beauty (Hackney Empire); Nabalungi in The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales); Alice in Dick Whittington (Hackney Empire); Eponine in Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre); Deb in Ordinary Days (Trafalgar Studios); Harmonia in Welcome to Thebes (National Theatre); Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre); Nala in The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre); Candy in Whistle Down the Wind (UK Tour); Ronnie Spector in Leader of the Pack (UK Tour) and Cinderella (Hackney Empire).

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 working out with some other castmates when PM made the announcement that people should avoid theatres bars and clubs, which was confusing as it wasn't direct. We did a vocal warm-up on stage followed by the covering for the show that day then our producers came on stage and announced that we would not be performing the show that night based on the PM announcement. I think we knew it was coming it was a matter of when. Broadway at this point was dark so we knew we were next. It was a very surreal feeling and emotions were high throughout the company. We had only really just begun our Prince of Egypt journey and it had been cut short. 

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

Every day I work out with a few of my Prince of Egypt castmates via video call. It's a way to keep in touch, make sure we are all ok and keep active. Routine is very important for me as it such surreal times. I have also been doing Charity videos and online concerts. Also been doing some cake decorating, which I have loved forever, that along with knitting. I find it very therapeutic. (My mum taught me both when I was a kid). 

The Corona Diaries: Bronté Barbé

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!

Bronté Barbé was most recently seen playing Ado Annie in Oklahoma at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Her other credits include Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK Tour); The Little Match Girl in Striking 12 (Union Theatre); Nadine in The Wild Party (The Other Palace); JEst End (Waterloo East); The Donkey Show (Proud London); Princess Fiona in Shrek (UK Tour); Sharon in Cool Rider (Lyric Theatre); Momentous Musicals (UK tour); Hairspray (Kuala Lumpur/Singapore); Carnival of the Animals (Riverside Studios) and she was a finalist on Over the Rainbow, the TV search for Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. 

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’d just got home after a rehearsal workshopping a new musical. We had spent the day ferociously using anti-bac and there’d been a lot of discussion and worry about when our theatres may close, but none of us could have anticipated that it would be that evening. I think I saw it on twitter first. I remember we returned to rehearsals the next day with heavy hearts, knowing that the rest of the week would be cancelled. It was the strangest feeling, we finished the day with a group song and it was quite emotional. We had no idea how long it would be until we could come together again and do what we love and we still don’t know now.

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

I’ve tried to be productive and positive, as time goes on I’ve found it challenging to stay creative. I started by making a list of all the things I’ve wanted to do but have never had the time; learning a language, painting, baking more, piano. I realised quickly that I wasn’t going to do these. In reality, I’ve spent a lot of time cuddling my dog and reading. I really enjoy planting and have been spending a lot of time taking long walks. What surprised me the most is I’ve had a burning desire to start my own business, something I’ve never been remotely interested in. I have an idea so fingers crossed something will come of it! There has been a little bit of performing, I’ve done a few videos including a home concert as part of the ‘Leave a light on series’ and got together with the Over the Rainbow girls to create a ten-year anniversary video in aid of Mind which was an absolute joy.

The Corona Diaries: Nathanael Campbell

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!

Nathanael Campbell was most recently seen as Bob and others in Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre. His other credits include Liver Lips Louie and Cover Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls (Manchester Royal Exchange); Gregory Piven in Sunny Afternoon (UK Tour); Joe in Somewhere in England (Eastern Angles Theatre Company); David Lacks in All That Lives (Ovalhouse); Joseph in We Raise Our Hands in The Sanctuary (The Albany Theatre); Benvolio in Romero and Juliet (National Tour); Jerry Jefferson in Back to the Future (Secret Cinema) and Angus/Lenno in Macbeth (S4K National & International 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 finished Come From Away about a month earlier. So I had decided to take about a month out to just recharge and get back on the audition track. THEN BAM! Monday 16th March happened. I was at home and my housemate was rehearsing a play at the Royal Court, and when she told me it had been cancelled I really realised it was real. Was in shock, but didn’t know what to think really.

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

I used to bake a lot, and as I was doing the show I just couldn’t find the time. So I decided to get back on that and try out new techniques/styles. I’ve also had a sewing machine for a while and haven’t really used it. I wanted to get better, so I started making T-Shirts and then masks when I realised we needed them too.

Feel free to look at my bakes on Instagram @bakewithnate 

The Corona Diaries: Rebecca McKinnis

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! 

Rebecca McKinnis is part of the original London company of Dear Evan Hansen playing Heidi Hansen. Her other credits include Margaret New in Everybody's Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre); Christina in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre); Tina Ruston in A Small Family Business (National Theatre); Cover Lauren in Viva Forever! (Piccadilly Theatre); Les Miserables (25th Anniversary Tour); Teacher and Cover Killer Queen in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre); Cover Jeanie in Fatpig (Trafalgar Studios); Swing and cover Donna & Tanya in Mamma Mia (Prince of Wales Theatre); Cover Kim and Big Sue in Taboo (UK Tour) and Starting Here Starting Now (Upstairs at the Gatehouse). 

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? 

We got to work as usual and went to warm up. I remember we'd just found out that Broadway had closed the night before so we figured it might be coming. Our producers came on stage and gave us the news we were to go home, it was unbelievably shocking really. We all scrambled to get what we needed from our dressing rooms and said our goodbyes. Very sad.

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

Lots of singing to keep my voice intact, I've learned the ukelele and can play quite a few songs on it now (ones with easy chords that is) and I've been doing workouts every morning, tennis lessons, a lot of reading and, of course, home-schooling my daughter so I guess you could say my teaching skills have improved!

The Corona Diaries: Kim Ismay

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!

Kim Ismay is currently in the London cast of Wicked at the Apollo Vicotria Theatre playing Madame Morrible, a role she previously played on the UK & Ireland Tour and UK/International Tour. Her other credits include Tanya in Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward, Prince of Wales and Novello Theatre); Lysette in The Silver Gym, Dotty Otley in Noises Off, Katisha in The Hot Mikado and Fiona in How The Other Half Loves (Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch); Maxine in Stepping Out (Derby Playhouse); Baroness Bomburst in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Miss Dinsmore/Dora Bailey in Singin’ in the Rain, Flo Manero in Saturday Night Fever and Miss Bonnie in Acorn Antiques (UK tours); Joanna in Sunset Boulevard (Adelphi); May Belfort in Lautrec (Shaftesbury); Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show (The English Theatre Frankfurt) and Kiss Me, Kate, The Wizard of Oz and The Comedy of Errors (RSC).

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 on holiday in Lanzarote, where full lockdown had started on the Saturday night. I felt very remote and isolated and really wished I was with my Wicked family. To be honest, I wasn’t surprised, but I was shocked; the thought of everyone turning off their lights, closing their dressing room doors and having to walk away as the theatre locked behind them with no knowledge of when it would reopen was a unique and terrible thing. 

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

My cupboards love the lockdown me. I’m a terrible clutterer and hoarder and I’m very untidy so I’ve Marie Kondo-ed the hell out of my entire house. It was so good for my emotional state too, getting rid of things and having clear space. I’ve started Couch to 5K to get fit, and I’ve done some online charity fundraisers and mentoring/teaching. I record audiobooks too so I’ve been cracking on with those. 

The Corona Diaries: Jed Berry

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!

Jed Berry was most recently seen in the UK tour of The Book of Mormon and will be performing in Fanny and Stella at the Garden Theatre, Eagle London. His other credits include Angel in the London cast of Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre; The Sound of Music (UK Tour); Michael in Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure (West Yorkshire Playhouse) and The Wizard of Oz (West Yorkshire Playhouse). 

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 at my digs, in bed poorly! My phone started buzzing as my castmates gave me the heads up. It wasn’t a complete surprise as Broadway had already shut down and we all anticipated a UK shutdown was in the not-too-distant future. But when it was official, it suddenly felt so surreal! We devote our lives to this industry, and for it to suddenly just stop felt completely jarring. My colleague and dear friend Jemal got back to the digs and we spent a good ten minutes hysterically laughing in incredulity.

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

I’ve actually been working away this lockdown on an exciting online cabaret! Myself and Jerry Mitchell have produced a charity cabaret that features Angels from lockdown all over the world. We saw that people needed their spirits lifting. We saw that people in our own industry needed support. We listened and learned about the horrendous racial oppressions that our Black colleagues face. So we used our platform. We’ve created a really fun cabaret raising money for Acting for Others, Black Ticket Project, Broadway Advocacy Coalition and Broadway Cares. These organisations do such amazing work and we wanted to find a fun way to support and promote these charities. It’s going to be camp and full of fun little surprises! The Angels have really stepped up and created some amazing acts. It’s airing on 26th Sunday at 9pm on jedberry.com if anyone fancies a watch and a smile!

The Corona Diaries: Evonnee Bentley-Holder

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!

Evonnee Bentley-Holder was most recently seen in Sleeping Beauty at the York Theatre Royal. Her other credits include Ensemble in Doctor Dolittle (UK Tour); Mimi and Dance Captain in Guys and Dolls (Royal Exchange); Dancer in Reflection Route (Union Dance) and Dancer in Bridgerton (Netflix). 

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 between performing work therefore I would have been either teaching, auditioning or working part-time. And although the news was sad, I expected it to happen and was slightly surprised that it didn't happen before. When you put things into perspective, everyone's health comes first in a major event like this.

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

I've definitely tried to be productive and some days I'm on it and other days I'm really not! I do like to be busy so I try to fill my time with loads of little projects to jump into. I started lockdown by tentatively trying to make a showreel and it actually turned out to be pretty good so I have kind of discovered a new talent for editing and have put together showreels for a friend. I'm in the process of studying to be a Level 3 Personal Trainer so I'm continuing to study this and I've done a little bit of teaching for an online charity event called Dance Against Racism Day, which was awesome! I feel like I've been bitten by the choreographing and teaching bug again so I'm setting up some more workshops for children and adults, as I can't wait to do more! Also I've done a bit more cooking, more specifically cake baking! I also gave myself the goal of completing a 10k in lockdown- I only achieved 9.8k but I'm to still take that as a win!

The Corona Diaries: Sean Parkins

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!

Sean Parkins is currently in the London company of The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre. His other credits include C.C White in Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre) in which he was also Resident Choreographer, Assistant Director, swing and understudied the role of Jimmy Early; Assistant Dance Captain/swing in The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales); Dance Captain, swing and understudy Dr Dillamond in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre); On The Town (ENO); Dick Whittington (Barbican); William in Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre); Tribe Member in Hair (Gate Theatre); Mereb in Aida (Germany) and Fame (Aldwych 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’m currently a Swing/Dance Captain on The Book of Mormon in London and we were just about to commence warm-up when our company manager came to stage, along with numerous people from different departments, to give us an official closure. As a company, we were all quite aware of the critically fragile state our industry, as well as the world was in, so, I think we were expecting action to be enforced for health and safety reasons at some point in that week. 

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

Living alone, I’ve had so much time to focus on myself which, I’ve found to be super productive. It's very rare that we have this much time to channel our energy in a specific way. Self-care has meant I have time for a full-body yoga/workout session in the morning, which I’ve found brilliant for the body and soul.

I’ve also been teaching theatre school students from various colleges via Zoom, which has been truly awe-inspiring. Seeing students doing full out routines in their gardens, living rooms, garages and BEDROOMS with so much passion and drive for performing has given me a lot of hope for the future.

The Corona Diaries: Emma Hatton

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!

Emma Hatton's credits include Grizabella in Cats (Kilworth House); Fantine in Les Miserables in Concert (Milton Morrissey); Vocalist in Post Modern Jukebox (International Tour); Maisey in The Distance You Have Come (Cockpit Theatre); Eva Peron in Evita (Phoenix Theatre); Eva Peron in Evita (UK and International tour); Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria), 1st cover Scaramouche/Meatloaf in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre), Donna in Dreamboats & Petticoats (UK tour), Fairy Godmother in Cinderella(Harlequin Theatre), Vanessa in Heaven Sent (New Wimbledon Studio), Twyla in When Midnight Strikes (Finborough Theatre), Daphne in Darling Of The Day (National Portrait Gallery).

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 self-isolating as I began experiencing symptoms on the Saturday prior. I don’t think it really sank in for me, initially. I had seen the news of Broadway going dark not long before and so, I suppose a part of me knew that it wouldn’t be long before the same happened here. The emotional impact took a while to set in. I guess because I’m not currently in a show, it didn’t hit me as hard at the time but my heart just went out to all of my friends currently working on a show. We all know how extreme a situation must be for a show to cancel just one nights’ performance and the reality of the magnitude of this gradually dawned on me and it still hurts my heart to think of all the theatres that are empty and quiet right now.

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

I think, like a lot of people, I had so many ideas of how I was going to put this time to good use; brush up my piano and guitar skills, Marie Kondo my house, write my album (if my management are reading this, don’t worry, I am still working on that!) the list goes on! But I soon realised that I needed to take the pressure off myself. 

I think, after so many years of moving at such a fast pace, my body and my mind just needed to stop and process what was happening. I read somewhere that ‘This is a crisis, not a sabbatical’ and it really resonated with me when I was giving myself a hard time about not being productive enough. I hibernated for a while and just had to focus on getting through each day as best I could. I tried to limit my news consumption and spent a lot of time on FaceTime with my family and friends. I’ve always been a bit of an introvert so I was happy to spend my time cuddled up with my cat, reading, listening to music, exercising when I felt up to it and just recharge. Once I felt like I’d got my head around things a little more, I was lucky enough to be asked to join Post Modern Jukebox for one of their online concerts which was the first one I’d done and it was surreal but such an amazing experience.

The Corona Diaries: Dianne Pilkington

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!

Dianne Pilkington was most recently seen in the original London cast of The Only Fools and Horses Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Her other credits include Aunt Lily in Whisper House (The Other Palace); Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre); Sophie De Palma in Master Class(Vaudeville Theatre); Amalia in She Loves Me (Minerva Theatre, Chichester); Pamela/Margaret/Annabella in The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre); Glinda in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre); Grizabella in Cats (National Tour); Belinda in The Far Pavilions (Shaftesbury Theatre); Mary in Tonight’s the Night (Victoria Palace); Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast (National Tour), Kim in the original cast of Boy George’s Taboo; the title role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Victoria Palace); Protestant Girl in The Beautiful Game (Cambridge Theatre); The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (Bridewell Theatre); Marion in Tess (Savoy Theatre); understudied and played Fantine and Cosette in Les Miserables (Palace 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, but I had only just left Only Fools And Horses. I was weirdly connected through all the WhatsApp chat, but not part of it! I was relieved for my friends to have a decision made, but sad for the shows.

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

I’m homeschooling a seven-year-old so that’s most of my time! I’m certainly not a teacher, I can tell you that. I have got an alarmingly productive veg garden now though!

The Corona Diaries: Kurt Kansley

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!

Kurt Kansley was most recently seen playing Coalhouse Walker Junior in Ragtime in Australia. His other credits include Che in Hal Prince's Evita, Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar, Show Boat, Hair, RENT (Australia); Harry the Horse in Guys and Dolls (Royal Exchange); Koos Malgas in Draadwerk (Tristan Bates Theatre); Bob Tucker and Envy in Exposure (St. James Theatre); That's Entertainment (UK Tour); Ensemble and cover John in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre); Jacky in Sweet Bird of Youth (Chichester Festival Theatre, The Old Vic); Ensemble and cover Coalhouse Walker Junior and J.P Morgan, Tom Snout and cover Demetrius and Theseus in A Midsummer Nights Dream (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre); Berger in Hair (European Tour); Munitsa and Kolodey in The Love-Girl and the Innocent (Southwark Playhouse); The 12 Tenors (Istanbul); Coalhouse Walker Junior in Ragtime (Landor); Chuck Berry, Richie Vallens and Fats Domino in Rock Around the Clock (UK Tour) and Ensemble and cover Simba and Banzai in The Lion King (Lyceum 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 already in lockdown when I found out. I was showing symptoms of the virus and made the decision to quarantine myself so that I would not expose anyone else. My immediate reaction was sadness, but not only for our theatre community, but also for every other industry that has been affected by this awful situation.

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

The lockdown has been a valuable time to work on projects that I have been developing with my writing partner Oliver Lidert for the last few years. We have been writing original musical theatre for about 7 years, our partnership is called Kansley & Lidert. Last year at The Other Palace we showed a workshop performance of our original musical CONFESSIONS. In the lockdown, we had the opportunity to work online with our director/dramaturg on the script and music to make the best edits and additions so that the show will be ready once the lockdown is over to go into production. In late May we had a reading of the script and played the music with some incredible West End actors and our creative team over Zoom. It was so wonderful to feel creative with a group of likeminded people who want to keep the flame of creativity burning. 

The Corona Diaries: Katy Secombe

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!

Katy Secombe was most recently seen on tour with the Globe in As You Like It, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest. Her other credits include Madame Thénardier in Les Miserables (Queen's Theatre); Mrs Beaver/Mother in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (Rose Theatre); Brenda in I Can't Sing (London Palladium); Nurse in The Lyons (Menier Chocolate Factory); Alice Challice in Darling of the Day (Union Theatre); Clara in Hayfever (Rose Theatre); Mama Morton in Chicago (UK Tour); Witch in Macbeth (Harrogate Theatre); Guys and Dolls, Twelfth Night, A Winter's Tale, Mother Clap's Molly House (National Theatre); The Music Man (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Rosie in Mamma Mia (Prince of Wales 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? 

Oh my! This is a very strange time. The other day, I picked up my rucksack that I had been using during rehearsals earlier this year for a stint with The Globe On Tour. Opening it was rather like delving into a time capsule. There were my travel cards and my notebook and play scripts; receipts for coffee shops, petrol stations and take away sandwiches - all the little pieces of a busy life which now seems very distant. We had been having a wonderful time rehearsing A Midsummer Nights Dream, As You Like It and The Tempest and were just about to get into technical rehearsals. Beautiful costumes were made, plays rehearsed and bonds made when our Prime Minister announced that we were going into lockdown. I must admit that It didn’t come as an enormous shock; London had begun to feel empty and a little eerie that week as news of the virus began to hit home. However, watching the first daily briefing was still troubling and unsettling.

The Corona Diaries: Tsemaye Bob-Egbe

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!

Tsemaye Bob-Egbe was last seen as the alternate Tina Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre, previously she had also been in the cast as an Ikette and Cover Tina Turner and Alline Bullock. Her other credits include Janelle Woods in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre) and Mephisto in The Vaudevillains (Edinburgh Fringe). 

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, having just finished a contract the previous Saturday. I was shocked initially, but not surprised. In fact, I was pleased that the theatres were taking steps to protect actors in what was already a scary time. Only no one knew at the time how dire the situation would be. 

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

It's been a mixed batch really. Although my fitness and singing has drastically reduced over the months, I have ignited a passion for other things. I came up with a concept for a TV show and finished two drafts of the pilot episode for the series within a month. In fact, I wrote the first four scenes in three hours! That's been pretty exciting. I have also found I have more time to play my instruments (piano and guitar) and to work on my musical (book, music and lyrics by yours truly). That's going to be a long process as you can imagine, but I'm embracing the challenge. 

Also, I've been really fortunate to have some voice-over work in the last few months. You can hear my dulcet tones in episode 5 of Michaela Coel's "I May Destroy You" on BBC; and a lead character of a game which I will reveal at a later date. I now have a home studio as well. 

The Corona Diaries: Craig Mather

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!

Craig Mather was most recently seen in Les Miserables: The All-Star Concert at the Gielgud Theatre. His other credits include Edward in Pieces of String (Mercury Theatre); Mole in The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium); Marius in Les Miserables (Queen's Theatre); Antony in Sweeney Todd (Harrington’s Pie Shop/West End); Stuart in Tonight's The Night (UK Tour); Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk (Clywd Theatr Cymru); Melchior in Spring Awakening (English Theatre Frankfurt); Simon in Concrete Jungle (The Other Palace) and A Celebration of Lionel Bart (Royal Festival Hall). 

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 with my little one and I think we had just been for our weekly swimming session at the local leisure centre. Little did we know it would be our last for a while! I couldn’t believe the news, I knew it was coming as Broadway had closed the week before. I suddenly thought of all my friends in this industry that this would really hit hard and obviously, as it's close to me, people with kids and families to pay for. 

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

Keeping fit has been a huge part of keeping sane during this time, been keeping on top of that. Also, I've been doing lots of writing for the first time in years, I've just not had the time to do it. I'm actually writing with Gus Gowland, the writer of Pieces of String. And we have found a great working relationship and something we both found quite exciting. We are doing a kind of concept album of original Pop songs around the subject of someone who suffers from mental health. I've found it very therapeutic. Watch this space! I've also ran a weekly singalong session on zoom with my wife Rosie Mather, which was in association with The Mercury Theatre Colchester online program. Which I found super fun and had great feedback from all. 

The Corona Diaries: Pérola Congo

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!

Pérola Congo was most recently seen as Therese in Our Lady of Kibeho at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Her other credits include Squeak/Olivia in The Color Purple (Leicester Curve); Ikette in Tina (Aldwych Theatre); Ensemble in The Addams Family (UK Tour & Singapore); Isabella in Pinocchio (Stephen Joseph Theatre); Queequeg in Moby Dick (Union Theatre) and Bet in Oliver! (Grange Park Opera). 

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 just finished a workshop a few days prior and was about to begin rehearsals for a new project in two weeks. Naïvely, I'd hoped that the project I was about to start wouldn't fall through as it was set to open in May, however it is now postponed until next year. I buried my head in my pillow and shed a few tears that day. I was so absolutely gutted for all my friends who were in rehearsals, who had just opened and who had had their projects cancelled - it was heartbreaking.

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

I've been prioritising starting off my day right with meditation and prayer (my current streak on Headspace is 104 days!) I've also been working on inversions and hand balances in my yoga practice. Meditation, prayer, and yoga have been integral ways that I've been able to manage my stress and anxiety during this strange and intense time. It's been so nice to actually have time to really pray and sit with gratitude and silence.

The Corona Diaries: Jessica-Elizabeth Nelson

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!

Jessica-Elizabeth Nelson is currently a Swing and cover Pearl, Dinah, Carrie & Coco in Starlight Express in Bochum, Germany. Her other credits include Alternate Millie & Ensemble in Thoroughly Modern Millie (UK Tour); Billie Bendix in Nice Work if You Can Get It (Upstairs at the Gatehouse) and Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Canada). 

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 just returned from performing in Starlight Express in Germany, as we had to close early due to coronavirus getting worse. When lockdown began and I heard that The Society of London Theatre was to close all London Theatres and at first I thought it was to keep us all safe. But it wasn't until recent months that I realised the true loss for our Theatres and business and the struggle we have yet to face. But if I know anything, showbiz always shines through, and though we have one hell of a fight, we will get through it together. 

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

Since being home, I have used this time to be with my family and fiancé that I would not usually be able to appreciate whilst working and travelling. Recently I have been planning my up-coming wedding for 2021 and buying my first house with my partner, Edward. Which has been a true blessing in disguise. I have also had to figure out different ways to stay fit and healthy during the lockdown. I regularly burst into song whilst running or skating to keep my pipes happy in which the sheep in the fields find very odd. But for now, I am keeping a healthy mindset and seeing a positive outlook on our future as performers. For whilst even when we hit rock bottom, the only way to go is UP!

The Corona Diaries: Ashley Zhangazha

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!

Ashley Zhangazha was most recently seen playing Ike Turner in the West End production of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. His other credits include Biff in Death of a Salesman, Laertes in Hamlet, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (Royal Exchange); the title role in Pericles, Legendre in Danton's Death (National Theatre); Harcourt in The Country Wife (Chichester Festival Theatre); Lars Kosh in Terror (Lyric Hammersmith); Richard in The Lottery of Love (Orange Tree); Jamie in Human Animals, Kunle in Belong, Truth and Reconciliation (Royal Court); Walter Lee Younger in A Raisin in the Sun, Ross in Macbeth (Sheffield Crucible); Arthur in Ah Wilderness (Young Vic); Cory in Fences (Theatre Royal Bath, Duchess Theatre); Aumerle in Richard II, King Lear (Domar Warehouse); Oliver (London Palladium) and Hey Mr Producer (Lyceum 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? 

Two days before, on the 14th March, I finished my run in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and on the evening of the 16th I was due to go to the theatre to see my girlfriend in a play. I feared the closure was coming as Broadway had recently shut down and there was quite a bit of speculation that similar would follow here but it was still surreal when the reality of the situation struck. It was absolutely necessary for it to happen but I was sad and disappointed for all those artists in our industry whose livelihoods were taken from them in an instant.

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

The pace of normal life is so often relentless, particularly in this industry, so I’ve tried to embrace this period of pause as best I can while also keeping active when it’s felt right to do so. I’ve been reading a lot, running, exercising, and pushing for change.

The Corona Diaries: Jacqui Sanchez

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!

Jacqui Sanchez was most recently seen as Cynthia in the UK touring production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Her other credits include The King and I (London Palladium/UK and Ireland Tour), Babe the Sheep Pig (Polka Children’s Theatre and UK Tour), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Catford Broadway Studio Theatre), Shrek The Musical (Original London Cast, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and UK Tour), Avenue Q (Noël Coward, Wyndhams and Seoul, South Korea), Miss Saigon (UK tour and Tam tour), Grease (Scandinavian tour), Aladdin (Mayflower, Southampton and Hackney Empire), and Hair (English Theatre, Frankfurt).

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? 

We had just finished our new venue tech rehearsal for the Priscilla tour in Woking and were about to open that evening which is always a bit of a stressful day for everyone to get everything done in time. Personally, I was really looking forward to being back near home for the week and having friends coming to see the show. We had obviously heard about theatres shutting down across the world over the week previous and were already quietly nervous as we were supposed to be heading out on a European tour after we had finished the UK and Ireland leg. Everyone was so nervous at one point I suggested we have a 'Gray's Anatomy'-style 'dance it out' in the dressing room corridor (like Meredith and Cristina do in the early series), much to the bemusement (and probably the annoyance) of the in-house and touring tech staff. I think it did the trick though, it seemed to cheer up everyone who wanted to take part (including myself) and get rid of some of the nervous energy. At the quarter we were then called to the stage and told that we were to stop performances with immediate effect until further notice. I remember looking around at the circle we formed, at all the people who had worked so hard to get the show in and up on time and just feeling a bit numb - like the rug had been pulled out from under us but still having the hope that we would be back sooner rather than later.

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

Early on I took part in a socially distant video dance piece by Chris Whittaker for an online concert called All the Web's a Stage in aid of Theatre Together (@TheatreTogether on twitter and @theatre.together on Instagram) - it was so lovely to dance his choreography and feel these old bones breathe! Also, I've been doing Yoga with my best friend almost every day and have just introduced her to Pilates. She, in turn, has introduced me to Couch to 5k - got to say I was never much of a running fan, but now I find I crave it. 

The Corona Diaries: Niall Sheehy

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!

Niall Sheehy was most recently seen playing the Prince in Cinderella on tour around Ireland. His other credits include Ensemble in Les Miserables: The All-Star staged Concert (Gielgud Theatre); Frederick Barrett in Titanic the Musical (Charing Cross Theatre, UK Tour & International Tour); Pure Imagination (St James); cover Chris in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre); cover Enjolras in Les Misérables (Queens Theatre); Cover Lancelot, Galahad & Robin in Spamalot (UK tour); Cover Fiyero in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre); Anglo: The Musical (Bord Gáis, Dublin); The Beauty Queen Of Leenane (International Theatre, Frankfurt); The Route To Happiness (Landor) and Carson/Peter in A Man of No Importance (Union & Arts 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 had actually just moved house on the Sunday and I was unpacking and trying to sort everything out. If I’m being honest, I thought it was a good idea and was glad it was happening, but I never thought it would go on as long as it has, but having said that I also never expected to see the fatality numbers we have seen, either, so I can’t solely focus on the effect on our industry and ignore the effect the pandemic has had on other people’s lives.

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

I have actually kept myself pretty busy. I bought Jamie Oliver’s “5 Ingredients” cookbook and have been shamefully realising, at the age of 39, how easy it is to cook certain delicious meals. I had also taken up CrossFit just before the lockdown, At Sleven Fitness in Vauxhall (although they have since disaffiliated from Crossfit due to comments made regarding the BLM movement, which was a positive response). Sleven has been running daily and weekly tasks and workouts, which have really helped to keep me sane during the lockdown, as well as keep me in some sort of decent shape. I have also been trying to teach myself how to play the guitar, but the less you ask me about my progress there, the better!

The Corona Diaries: Tinovimbanashe Sibanda

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* 

Tinovimbanashe Sibanda is due to be in Hairspray at the London Coliseum as a Swing and Dance Captain Her other credits include Dance Captain / Swing in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe; Dance Captain / Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican Centre); Ensemble in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical (Piccadilly Theatre); Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre) Ensemble in Cinderella (Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury) and Ensemble in Peter Pan (Marlow Theatre, Canterbury). 

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 think I had just got home from my first day of rehearsals for Hairspray. During the day, there had been a lot of positivity in regards to continuing the rehearsal process. So my initial reaction was denial. I imagined that it was for precaution but wouldn’t really take effect.

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

I’ve been trying to find balance in my productivity and respecting that I may need to rest too. I’ve been reading, watching a lot of films and documentaries. I try to move/improv on my own as often as I can and I’ve also choreographed or just created with my housemates who are creatives too. Trying to keep the creativity and spirit of play flowing.