They say there’s no business like show business. Over the last couple of months there really is no business that has suffered in the same way the arts industry has.
As soon as Broadway went dark we all knew it wouldn’t be long before the West End followed. In an industry where there is already uncertainty, it was even more unknown about what was going to happen to the arts industry and our theatres.
Steph Parry is a performer currently playing the role of Kate in ‘Mamma Mia The Party’ at the ‘O2′ and has starred in other shows such as ’42nd Street’, ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Wicked’.
I spoke to Steph about the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on her as a performer and the theatre industry as a whole.
With the theatre industry already being difficult in terms of employment and stability, what was it like having the uncertainty of not knowing whether the show will return, or what would be happening?
As you say this industry is so full of adversity and as an actor you become accustomed to that but this situation has been particularly testing. And not just for performers, for stage management, FOH, wardrobe, performing arts colleges and even theatre lovers who rely on shows for escapism. The thing that’s important to remember is that we will be back. We don’t know a time frame or what the industry will look like but we do know that we’re resilient and I’m feeling very hopeful.
What was it like readjusting from being in ‘Mamma Mia the Party’ to now being in lockdown and not working?
It’s been odd. When you’re doing 8 shows a week, sometimes you crave an evening with loved ones or time with the family. ‘Mamma Mia The Party’ has a pretty full on weekend schedule so the first few weeks of lockdown were a bit of a treat being home on a Sunday but the novelty soon wore off!! Haha! I’m doing well though, missing the show, my work mates and ‘ABBA’ music so very much but I have a lot to be thankful for.
I know yourself and other performers have been involved with online concerts. Do you think theatre could be made more accessible going forward?
Potentially, I was having this conversation yesterday about why don’t they sell some tickets of every performance for people at home but I hadn’t thought about the cost of cameras, streaming etc. I do feel like I’m much more likely to throw a gig together and do it online though as it’s a platform I’d not really thought of using before.
What do you think theatres will look like when they reopen? Do you think from this we will understand the full effect of Covid?
I honestly don’t know and I try not to speculate too much as the news on that matter seems pretty negative at the moment. Though I did read a hopeful article from Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber about how he’s trying to create a safe theatre space without social distancing, I’m very interested to follow that story. And I’m also super excited about the ‘Six Drive-In’ news, what an awesome idea and I will definitely be trying to get tickets for that.
I’m going to come back to the fact that even if the theatre world doesn’t look as affluent and alive as it has been, it will rebuild. It may take some time but there’s a whole load of creative people dying to get back to work and make things happen and I, for one, am excited to see that.
“Maybe you have to know the darkness to appreciate the light”
Neve Gordon-Farleigh
Featured Image courtesy of Steph Parry.
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