At the end of the show at the Royal Albert Hall last week, two Theatretrain students led the thank yous. Tilly and Myffi were also bowing out of Theatretrain as it was time to move on to university.
Myffi is going to Manchester Metropolitan University to read Criminology – in fact, she had already started the previous week and came back to perform in the show. Tilly is off to Oxford to read English. That’s the second student from Waltham Forest Theatretrain to go on to Oxford, following on from Ben, who went on to read Law last year.
I asked them a few questions about their time in the company. Tilly thought it was lovely to finish at the RAH because that’s where she started in 2015 with our show about the Greek myths – How to make a Hero.
They both agreed that the best thing they found over the years was friendship. When you have many theatre experiences, it’s natural that you get closer together and become friends. Also, theatre work often means that you reach different emotions, and sometimes share feelings with the group – that’s very bonding. It’s also why I think performers can quickly make friends through the work.
They also said that big benefits were in gaining self-confidence and growing self-belief. In their speech, they asked the younger students to always believe in themselves – I think that’s great and a testament to what they discovered for themselves. They said if you can believe in yourself, then you will find it easier to trust others. We have each other’s backs, they said. Then you’re not afraid to be different – be you.
If you go off for a university interview, you need a bit of that self-belief and performing classes are a good place to get some experience about being in front of people.
I asked them if they could remember any times when it all went wrong. Tilly said, “We once had to walk as one group, and I messed it up and I fell over.” I’m sure she felt a bit silly at the time, but she got up and carried on, and now she can laugh at it.
Myffi talked about a time when they were doing a tango around the room, and it went so wrong that they ended up chasing each other. All these adventures in performance make us what we are. We grow as people and deepen our understanding. And we can laugh at ourselves.
They are both charming people with big smiles. They made thanking people look easy, and it isn’t. I wish them both well in their next adventure and hope they look back with affection on their TT days – I’m sure they will.
