Keeping Well (and Theatrical)

As we all try to navigate this ‘new normal’, we recognise just how important it is to look after your mental health. We’ve put together a list of our 10 top tips of things to do each day to look after yourself (in typical theatrical fashion).

1) Set an alarm

Channel your inner Tracy Turnblad from Hairspray and jump out of bed ready to seize the day. For the authentic experience, why not change your alarm music to “Good Morning Baltimore” or have a go at your own version – “Good Morning Birmingham”.

2) Make (and stick to) a routine

“Tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen…” we are taking a leaf out of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 the Musical for this one. Whatever you’re doing with your time, set yourself a routine between 9am to 5pm and stick to it to help bring some structure to each day.

3) Exercise

Dig out your headphones, download your favourite showtunes and make the most of your daily exercise. Some of the tunes sure to get us up and dancing around include “You Can’t Stop The Beat” from Hairspray, “Get On Your Feet” from On Your Feet! and “Everybody Say Yeah” from Kinky Boots.

4) DIY

Have you been trying to find out the perfect storage solution for your theatre programmes or souvenirs? Give us your best Donna from MAMMA MIA! and crack out the DIY tools to finally find that perfect solution.

5) Karaoke

Unsurprisingly, one of our favourite things at the Hippodrome is karaoke! We’ve had some incredible jukebox musicals on our stage which make for a great singalong – The Band, We Will Rock You, Buddy, Million Dollar Quartet, Beautiful to name a few…So, grab a hairbrush, strike a pose and belt out a number or two! (Birmingham Hippodrome takes no responsibility for any disgruntled neighbours)

6) Check in with Friends and Family

Where would Aladdin have been without the Genie? Who was Mary Poppins without Bert? Would Annie have saved the day without her best friend Sandy?
Friendships are so important to all our stories so why not use your time to check in with forgotten friendships, family members you would have previously seen daily or turn your voice calls into video calls!

7) Keep it positive!

Much to the delight of all our past Pantomime villains, there will always be doom and gloom in the world but in the words of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde… keep it positive! Times are tough at the moment but to quote Les Misérables “even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise”.
Find whichever showtune cheers you up and play it loud for all to hear. This is one of our favourites…

8) Take a break

Take a breather away from the constant feed of breaking news and social media to recharge your batteries. Dust off those Judy Garland records in the cupboard and take yourself “Over the Rainbow” for 5 minutes and let your “troubles melt like lemon drops”. Or perhaps, just for a couple of minutes, take the advice of our Mormon friends and “Turn It Off”…

9) Eat

Take a leaf out of Belle’s book who proved that dining alone can be huge amounts of fun with the rousing Disney tune “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast. However, try to avoid taking it to the lengths of Matilda’s Bruce Bogtrotter…

10) A night at the theatre (almost)

We’ve compiled a list of films to watch to bring some showbiz pizazz to your living room. Designate an interval, dispense your wine into plastic cups and queue to use the toilet for that authentic theatre feeling… see our list here.