With the Coronavirus pandemic currently at the forefront in the news and in our lives, everyone is affected in one way or another. Particularly the theatre industry is affected hugely, reliant on ‘mass gatherings’ of people to pay to view performances and provide income for theatres and performers. Thousands of artists are now in a place of uncertainty with performances put on hold and theatres shut down. Fortunately, many professionals have taken to the internet to continue performing, teaching and sharing their passion for their craft online, in order to support themselves financially in this time of hardship while uplifting others. In this article we focus on the positive to see what local London performers are doing to share their love for the arts while staying at home, in accordance with government guidelines. 

 

Lambert Jackson and The Theatre Cafe have come together to produce a series of live-streamed concerts titled ‘Leave a Light On’ that feature West-End performers in daily performances. With three performances every week-day, there are a range of talented voices to tune in to, from Kelly Mathieson, current Christine Daaé in the West End Phantom of the Opera, to Drag Queen Velma Celli, to Aimie Atkinson, current Vivian in Pretty Woman: the Musical UK, previously Katherine Howard in Six the Musical. There are even more incredible performers on the Leave a Light On line up, so copy the link below to give your support and get your tickets for just £7.50!

 

https://www.thetheatrecafe.co.uk/events/

 

Acting For Others is a London-based charity which strives to provide financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need. They consist of 14 member charities, and was founded in the 1960’s. Especially in these times, donations would go a long way in supporting those involved in the theatre industry. Not only actors, but backstage and front-of-house staff who are all currently out of work due to COVID-19. It is incredibly important to keep the arts going strong in these times when the industry has been hit so hard. If you wish to donate, copy the link below. 

 

https://www.justgiving.com/ctcafo

 

Active professionals in the industry are also using their skills to teach others, providing online lessons to share advice and coaching while safely at home. Lucie Jones, recently starring as Jenna in Waitress UK and contestant on the X Factor is offering 1 on 1 online vocal sessions, while the Pros from the Shows instagram is running a lunchtime series this week titled ‘Stay and Slay’ in which pros in the industry each host an instagram live 45 minute workshop, some teaching dance choreography, others acting through song, and even a ballet barre class! Even just popping onto instagram you will most likely be greeted by a few of your favourite music artists or theatre performers sharing their music and art through live streams, or even just chatting with their audience!

 

Evidently artists within the industry have found ways to channel their creativity and share their art, even helping those bored at home by providing a plethora of live entertainment at your fingertips! Despite the claustrophobia of being stuck inside, the people will surely find many new ways to entertain themselves, and with luck, we’ll all come out of this pandemic having learned something new about ourselves. Musicians and performers are adapting to this new situation and growing their capabilities as artists, and we as a public should support them, and each other, through these trying times. 


 

Article by Josephine Shaw, LEH School