A sleeping giant is now waking up, says Shane

THEATRES announced huge numbers of advanced ticket sales as they prepare to raise the curtain once more today.

In London’s West End, actor Shane Richie said the capital’s theatreland was a “sleeping giant” finally waking.

The ex-EastEnders star, 57, who is performing in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, at the Apollo Theatre, admitted there was “magic in the air”.

He said: “It feels like we have been trying to wake a sleeping giant for the last few months.

“Everybody has managed to navigate their way around lockdown and isolation and Covid testing, and finally today is the day the giant finally comes awake, albeit all very slowly at the moment.

“But it is slowly happening. It is slowly cranking its way up.

“There are a lot of performers out and about on the streets. I can see a few buskers and street entertainers coming back as well.

“The West End is really important, not just for myself and the shows but businesses, small cafes, restaurants, bars – everybody who lives and breathes and works in the West End.

“So today is a bit special. It really feels like there is a bit of magic in the air.”

Noah Thomas, who plays the lead role of Jamie, a schoolboy who has dreams of becoming a drag queen, said there was both excitement and trepidation among the cast.

He said: “It is getting back to work but it also the anticipation of you don’t know how people are going to react.

“It almost feels like something brand new, something that has never been done before, which is an exciting thing.

“It is what theatre should feel like.

“It should feel like it is fresh and spontaneous.

“It is a whole mix of things but ultimately it is that anticipation that has made us so excited.”