A young actress has given a royal performance for Prince Charles and Camilla – dressed in her supermarket workwear as she had to rush straight from the theatre to start her eight-hour shift.
Tash Marshall performed her one-woman play Half Breed to the royal couple at London’s Soho Theatre on Thursday, before heading off to work at a Morrisons store.
Hers was the first performance at the venue since the first COVID-19 lockdown began in March. With arts venues closed for months during the pandemic, many who work in the industry have had to find extra sources of income.
The young actress was praised for her ‘dedication’ by the royals after her show
After her performance, the young actress, from Wiltshire, told the prince and his wife: “I’ve got to go back later so it was easier to keep [my uniform] on, I’ll be in such a rush.
“It’s such a pleasure to meet you.
“The theatre has supported me so much I jumped at the chance to perform today.”
“That’s marvellous, such dedication,” Charles replied. “I really enjoyed the performance and I am praying all of you can open soon. I wish you every success.”
Charles and Camilla also visited the nearby 100 Club, which has hosted bands such as the Sex Pistols and Oasis over the years, during a trip to landmark entertainment venues to hear how the industry has been affected by coronavirus.
After a performance by singer-songwriter Emily Capell and drummer Matt Cowley, the Duchess of Cornwall reminisced about some of her favourite acts, saying she was a big fan of The Faces and Sir Rod Stewart.
The duchess said she had seen the band live and even asked Sir Rod to perform at her husband’s 60th birthday party.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall also visited the 100 Club venue
She also complimented Capell on her beehive hairdo and joked: “I used to have my hair like that in the ’60s so I know your pain.”
Turning to Charles, Capell said: “And you like The Three Degrees, Sir?”
The prince, 72, who was rumoured to once have been romantically linked with Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson, laughed and said: “That was a very long time ago.”
The hospitality and entertainment sectors were completely closed during the first lockdown, putting venues at risk of permanent closure, and many workers are still facing serious threats to their livelihoods as the industry continues to struggle.
Soho Theatre is planning to start welcoming paying guests for a selection of socially distanced small-scale performances as early as next week – its first live performances since March.