What's next for theatre in 2021?
I think people are going to be banging down the doors, says actor Kerry Ellis as she talks about the future of theatre  Kerry Ellis was all set for a busy 2020, with everything from theatre shows in Japan to UK-wide music concerts in her diary. The musical theatre actor and star of shows such as Wicked and Oliver! was hit especially hard when lockdown closed theatres and concert halls, but now the West End is on the cusp of reopening, she cant wait to get in front of audiences again. Ready to roll: London's West End is preparing to welcome customers back to its theatres Credit: Getty  Ive never been out of work in the 20-odd years Ive been working, so the last 12 months have been unlike anything Ive experienced before, she says. Not that Kerry hasnt been busy. I released a Christmas single with Brian May [Queen guitarist and her long-term collaborator], Ive launched a podcast, and Ive written an autobiography. Im used to running around at 100 miles an hour.  If Kerrys creative output over the past 12 months is anything to go by, then theres hope yet for a magnificent return of theatre to the UK. A lot of creative things have been borne from being shut down, she agrees. Our industry is very resilient because so many of us spend time in and out of work. Were used to keeping ourselves busy. I think people have been really creative  recording on their phones, using Zoom, live streaming  Even so, Kerry cannot wait for the return of live audiences. So much of theatre is about atmosphere  people sitting together, hearing the rustle of papers and the soaring rise of the overtures, to name a few.  Period piece: Kerry Ellis in costume Credit: Shutterstock / Dan Wooller  Earlier this year she performed as part of the BBCs Musicals: The Greatest Show at the London Palladium. To be in a dress and heels, have some makeup on and sing with an orchestra was amazing. But it was also tinged with sadness, because when I finished a number, there was silence. No big roar from the audience. I do miss that.  Kerry will be heading over to Taiwan to perform in Cats and then will be back in London for the opening of the theatre season here. I cant wait, she says. The excitement of a musical opening night, people in Covent Garden  Im counting down the days until that hustle and bustle. I think people are going to be banging down the door.  She believes that live-streaming and filmed versions of performances will be one of the legacies of the pandemic. Before, there was a concern that this would stop people coming to watch theatre live, but I think actually its more like showing a film trailer  it whets peoples appetites for the live performance. I think its opened up the shows to new audiences too.  In her busy upcoming schedule Kerry is looking forward to squeezing in seeing some shows herself: Frozen is coming, which will be fantastic. Dear Evan Hansen had only just opened before lockdown and Come From Away has just had a cast change, so theyll all be good to see. Or Oduba, who I spoke to on my podcast recently, is going out on The Rocky Horror Show this year, and Lucie Jones is going to tour the UK with Waitress later this year, for people who cant get into London. Theres so much coming.  Rock royalty: Kerry has recorded music with Brian May  Kerry is optimistic about the future; not just the shows this summer but the potential for new work that will come out of the pandemic. Theres definitely going to be a locked down musical. Absolutely. People in the music industry have already written songs about it  Brian [May] and I released Panic Attack, for example. Were experiencing something worldwide weve not experienced before. Its bound to spark creativity.  But most of all, shes keen to encourage people to get back into theatres. Its been such a rough year, not just for the people on the stage, but for all the people behind the scenes in wardrobe, and sound, and so on. Id urge you to go and support them, and anything that floats your boat  go and see it!