Staging a new outlook on entertainment

WITH theatres across the country closed since the start of lockdown, actors can only wonder if and when the curtain will rise on live performances.

So this coming Friday at 3pm, musical theatre performer Earl Gregory will present a webinar on the Weekend Argus Facebook page on the ups and downs he and fellow thespians have endured during this period.

“Some days just morph into the same thing and at times, it really has been hard on an emotional level. I’ve definitely grappled with little bouts of depression,” he said.

Theatre-goers should recognise

Gregory as Joseph from the musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor

Dreamcoat and as Lola in Kinky Boots.

His performance in the latter recently earned him a Fleur du Cap award.

“Theatre hasn’t gone anywhere and a lot of people have been doing live-streaming shows,” Gregory said.

The lockdown has afforded him an opportunity to “pause and relax”, and he hasn’t done many live-streaming engagements because “there’s nothing like the buzz of a live audience”.

No matter what the future holds for the industry, Gregory is optimistic and is inspired by young talent from across the country.

Gregory added: “I’ve (also) been watching a lot of these drama kids learning online and subsequent to the lockdown, I have been doing classes online so I really commended them for having that bravery and it reminded me of when I entered the industry.”

EARL GREGORY