Comments from some of the cast of "Opening Doors"
Jackie Kearns:
I was excited to be involved in Opening Doors at Southwark Playhouse as the first performance in its new theatre. It showed the commitment of the Playhouse to its community and support for its 3 theatre groups, the Young Company, the Elders Company and Peoples Company, as all 3 companies collaborated in this production. Covid 19 meant reconceiving Opening Doors as a radio play, but the presence of theatre remains. Our two main characters are Theatre and Jean Genie, the essence of the community, as the latter introduces Theatre to the area in an historical journey through Walworth and Southwark, revealing the bond of community and theatre.
We loved putting the lives of local people, real and imagined, on the stage.
Angie Lieu
It was my first time ever doing a radio play and I enjoyed being part of the show!
I felt like there was a real sense of community and we had plenty of direction, guidance and rehearsals. Every week new ideas would come to light and be incorporated into the script which was lovely to see, as it felt like we really had an impact on the work that was being written for us and the show. It was strange not being in a physical rehearsal space, but the team really made it work and, overall, the experience felt very exciting despite having to make use of a new platform and way of working!
Tomi Ogunjobi
It's been an absolute pleasure being part of PC especially during these hard times. I still have not met anyone at PC physically, but it feels like I know everyone already and it's only been 3 months since I joined. It was an honour to play Russell Profitt and looking forward to many more with PC.
Ellen Davis
For me, being part of Opening Doors was just magical. Each rehearsal was a unique experience where our individual doorways to creative thinking and feeling were encouraged to open again and again, breathing life into the characters and context of our amazing offering.
Lucy Kerrigan
Pitter-pattering pre and post-war Walworth was very, very special. Working with the cast across 3 different companies and performing for people all over the world on Zoom will shape things to come I am sure and I feel very lucky to have been part of it.
Mina Temple
My memories of Opening Doors as a radio play, performed on Zoom, are:
- Honing my listening skills as each week different members fine-tuned their speeches and brought them to life
- A deeper understanding of the importance of seeing it in your mind's eye to convey it to the audience
- Sitting tense on the edge of my chair ready to leap in with my lines
What an achievement, managing such a diverse cast and giving us all so much individual time and attention - thank you John.
Hilary Hodsman (Elders Company)
Being involved with Opening Doors was a fun and uplifting experience. Thank you to everyone who made that possible.
I was excited to be involved in Opening Doors at Southwark Playhouse as the first performance in its new theatre. It showed the commitment of the Playhouse to its community and support for its 3 theatre groups, the Young Company, the Elders Company and Peoples Company, as all 3 companies collaborated in this production. Covid 19 meant reconceiving Opening Doors as a radio play, but the presence of theatre remains. Our two main characters are Theatre and Jean Genie, the essence of the community, as the latter introduces Theatre to the area in an historical journey through Walworth and Southwark, revealing the bond of community and theatre.
We loved putting the lives of local people, real and imagined, on the stage.
Angie Lieu
It was my first time ever doing a radio play and I enjoyed being part of the show!
I felt like there was a real sense of community and we had plenty of direction, guidance and rehearsals. Every week new ideas would come to light and be incorporated into the script which was lovely to see, as it felt like we really had an impact on the work that was being written for us and the show. It was strange not being in a physical rehearsal space, but the team really made it work and, overall, the experience felt very exciting despite having to make use of a new platform and way of working!
Tomi Ogunjobi
It's been an absolute pleasure being part of PC especially during these hard times. I still have not met anyone at PC physically, but it feels like I know everyone already and it's only been 3 months since I joined. It was an honour to play Russell Profitt and looking forward to many more with PC.
Ellen Davis
For me, being part of Opening Doors was just magical. Each rehearsal was a unique experience where our individual doorways to creative thinking and feeling were encouraged to open again and again, breathing life into the characters and context of our amazing offering.
Lucy Kerrigan
Pitter-pattering pre and post-war Walworth was very, very special. Working with the cast across 3 different companies and performing for people all over the world on Zoom will shape things to come I am sure and I feel very lucky to have been part of it.
Mina Temple
My memories of Opening Doors as a radio play, performed on Zoom, are:
- Honing my listening skills as each week different members fine-tuned their speeches and brought them to life
- A deeper understanding of the importance of seeing it in your mind's eye to convey it to the audience
- Sitting tense on the edge of my chair ready to leap in with my lines
What an achievement, managing such a diverse cast and giving us all so much individual time and attention - thank you John.
Hilary Hodsman (Elders Company)
Being involved with Opening Doors was a fun and uplifting experience. Thank you to everyone who made that possible.
