Lockdown diary – week one: Budgies, time capsules and 3D printers

23rd April 2020

We are very much missing welcoming you into the New Vic and sharing our mutual joy of theatre together. In these unprecedented times, it feels more important than ever to keep in touch with our friends.

So, this is the first in a series of weekly diaries we’ll be writing to keep in touch. We’ll keep you updated with New Vic news while we are ‘working from home’, and we’ll be inviting you to share your news with us too.

An update from our Artistic Director…

“This week I’ve been talking to Neil Baldwin about our plans for putting on stage the story of his extraordinary life, Marvellous.  He is of course in lockdown, so we’re doing this work over the phone, and a conversation with him sounds like he’s living in an aviary.  Which he sort of is.  Because, as one of the scenes in the play we’re making explains, Nello now runs a retirement home for budgies.  These ex-circus performers spent their glory years in the limelight, running up and down little ladders, driving tiny cars, doing acrobatics and other tricks.  Then, when each gets too old to perform, it is nested into a little cardboard box and delivered by the ringmaster to Neil’s home.  Where the budgie spends its twilight years being fed and cherished by Neil. We haven’t figured out how we’re going to stage this scene, but we’ve had lots of fun exploring the challenge of professionally trained actors trying to think themselves into being a circus budgie…”

A new way of working…

Since we’ve been in ‘lockdown’, many of the New Vic team have been working hard, continuing to plan for future productions and engage with our participants – in new and exciting ways!

Our Education Team have been running sessions for our Youth Theatre online. Each week, our Youth Theatre Director Kat has been hosting digital sessions for our young people including getting the group to create a ‘Time Capsule’, responding to current events.

Borderlines have been working with their participants from a distance too – and the groups have been set some exciting tasks! Keep an eye out for the next diary when we’ll update you further on what the team has been up to.

A message from a close friend…

Our friend ‘Eric’ unfortunately had to postpone the performances of Eric’s Full Monty that were due to take place at the beginning of this month (don’t worry, we’re in the process of rescheduling the show).

He’s sent us a link to his new blog though, to keep us all updated about his ‘Lockdown Life’. If you fancy hearing about all the happenings from one of our favourite characters, click here.

In other news…

Some of the New Vic team have been volunteering to help in a small way to provide much needed equipment for our carers and along with the whole country we applaud all of the work the NHS and key workers are doing.  We are indebted to them all.

Daniella Beattie, our Chief Electrician and Resident Lighting Designer, has been busy making good use of the New Vic’s 3D printer, volunteering to make face guards for the NHS!

Stay positive – this week why not…

Publisher Nick Hern Books have launched a ‘playgroup’ – like a book club for theatre lovers! Each week they make a play from their collection available to read for free, and readers are invited to submit a question to the writer afterwards, which gets compiled into an audio Q&A and released the following week with the next text. Find out more here.

Despite these uncertain times, there are still plenty of things to look forward to – not least being that moment when we can invite you back through our doors to enjoy a show, take part in a workshop or simply visit the café for a cuppa and a chat. Until then, stay safe and we’ll see you soon.