With the recent re-opening of theatres across the UK, we thought it might be nice to have a little chin-wag with performers and creatives who are heading back to work. Throughout the week we will be sharing a series of interviews where we unpack your hopes and fears for the future of our industry. Expect honest answers, shameless plugs and an eclectic array of stagey huns.
For our final instalment we hear from our favourite beardy boy Mr Roddy Lynch!
Roddy is a wickedly talented Actor-Musician set to make his West-End debut this summer!
We really enjoyed talking to Roddy who was kind enough to bestow us with some words of wisdom at the end. Enjoy!
Roddy Lynch - Actor-Musician
Show us ya body Roddy! Photo by Robert Workman.
In 3 words, tell us how you feel about returning to work in the theatre industry?
“Excited. Grateful. Elated.”
What have you missed the most about working in the theatre industry?
“I’ve only just missed the opportunity to play, to have fun with others and be creative.”
What have you missed the least about working in the theatre industry?
“I’ve not miss some of the egos that you sometimes encounter in the industry. And I’m lucky to say that I haven’t encountered many, but I know that they’re out there - as they are in any industry. But generally speaking I’ve worked with very conscientious lovely people, but I hope to encounter a few less egos on our return to the theatre industry.”
Some say that 2021 is the year of ‘establishing a new normal.’ Are there any changes you would like to see in our industry? And how do you think we should set about making those changes?
“I think the industry seems to be going in a direction of being much more diverse and I think that’s fantastic, but I think there’s still a lot of work to be done. And that’s diverse in all areas, regardless of gender, race, or anything else…as inclusive as casting can be, that’s the change that we really need to make. Not just for performers, but for audiences as well. I think we need to bring in a larger demographic of audience members and they need to be able to connect with it. So I think if we can make casting as diverse as possible I think they’ll be more demographics out there who will be label to relate to it.”
Are there any personal reflections you’ve made during the pandemic which will affect the way you treat your career going forward?
“Be grateful for what I do. I feel really kind of pleased that everything’s opening back up again. And it’s just taught be to be really thankful for what I do for a living.”
Are there any shows (besides your own) that you’re really looking forward to opening?
"I’m really looking forward to seeing Amelie again in the West-End - because I saw that at The Watermill and I thought that was one of the best actor-muso musicals I’ve ever seen thus far. It’s wonderful that it’s got a west-end transfer!”
Tell us about a bit about your show? Who is it for? When is it on and where can we see it?
“I’m afraid I can’t say anything about my show at this stage (top secret/hush hush) - but it’s going to be on from July to late August. And it’s in the West-End!”
Any further thoughts…?
“I’d just like to say to all the fellow performers and creatives out there, this has been the most difficult year and a bit of our entire careers. I doubt will face such adversity again. You know, it’s killed our creativity - it’s certainly killed mine. But I think if we can get through this we can get through anything. And the fact that we can get through such adversity is a testament to how resilient performers are. Always be grateful and be happy in what you do.”
And there endith our 'Back to the Boards' series. We'd like to thank everyone who took the time to speak to us about the return of our industry.
Be sure to check out all the other interviews in our series by clicking on the news feed of this website.
Lastly, we'd like to send all our well wishes to all the performers and creatives who help to keep our industry alive. We truly hope you all have a fruitful and enriching summer!
So until next time...
LA VIE BOHEME!
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