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*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation.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*
Tori Allen-Martin most recently appeared in The Season playing Robin at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton. Her other credits include Dolly in One Man, Two Guvnors (New Wolsey Theatre and Nuffield Southampton); Justice in Rock of Ages (UK Tour, Berlin); Chelsea in HR. Haitch (Shrapnel Theatre, Union Theatre and Iris Theatre); The Hardest One (The Other Palace); Amy in Wretch (Vault Festival); Lauren in Muted (The Bunker Theatre); Mimi in Rent (The Cockpit) and Ensemble and cover Dionne in Hair (European Tour). As well as performing, she is also a successful writer and producer.
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 because I'd already decided to start self-isolating as much as possible. I wasn't surprised because I think the seriousness of the situation was really starting to hit home for me, but it did suddenly feel very real and I, of course, immediately felt for all of my friends in shows. I remember talking to one of them who had headed out with his cast to hit the booze in shock, and I was thinking 'go home!' but I also totally got the need to drown their sorrows! It was just such a strange time for everyone I think and the moment for me that I was like - this is definitely not a drill!
Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing?
I've been cooking more, as have my housemates. I live with Declan Bennett and he made us the most glorious roast and I keep waking up to freshly made bread - so I'm really enjoying his lockdown antics - I also got a one on one show from him in the garage while he filmed his Leave A Light On gig - he was spectacular and I felt very special getting the whole show just to myself! In terms of me- I had been banging on about starting a youtube channel for ages so I finally got on with it - it's just a chatty channel with advice - it's called tilfu (things I learned f***ing up!) because I figured now was as good a time as any. I'd had a lot of people on Instagram say I should do it, because I'm always quite candid in my stories - and I think we're all just looking for a hand to walk us home - if my mistakes can help others not make them, or feel less alone then it's all worth it.
I've started exercising again, which was much needed - I'm really enjoying it - I'm doing Holly Dolke's 30-day challenge amongst others and it's improved my mood massively. And I'm reading a lot. I'm trying to really utilise the downtime and gather my thoughts and do things I put off - like clearing out the cupboards. I got engaged in December and by January he decided he wanted to move on so it's been hard to suddenly find myself with all this time to think and be alone - but actually, I'm really letting the feelings come, and then letting them go and I'm grateful for this fast track healing. I think this is an opportunity, a chance to regroup and think about what's important and what matters, and to sit with ourselves and work out why we do the things that we do and how we can better ourselves and I hope we'll come out of this better, kinder - grateful for the little things and for each other. Don't get me wrong, I find it hard - I have my down days, I think we all do, but it's about accepting that that is a part of it and being kind to ourselves and finding the joy wherever we can. I don't think the pressure is helpful all the time - like, 'Shakespeare wrote King Lear' and all that jazz - OK, great, some people might write a novel or set up a company, but some people might get the rest they've needed for the past two years, or they might read a book that'll inspire them later - and that's enough. I am proud of everyone for just getting through it, whatever that looks like.
