TRP Stories: Lauren Berry

Lauren Berry is the Director of Escapism Plymouth and holds a Director level Membership at Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP). She regularly attends the theatre as an audience member, but is also an avid dancer, trained stunt woman and Performing Arts graduate.

Lauren was four when she was first introduced to the theatre and began attending Stagecoach Performing Arts.

Speaking about her passion for being on stage, Lauren said: “Nothing beats that feeling of performing as a character. Being able to jump into different worlds is such an incredible experience.”

Her first time visiting TRP was in 2003, aged seven, when she watched Cats. She said: “I still have my ticket to the show – it’s one of my prized possessions. It set the bar very high for me and kickstarted my awe of all performers.”

Veering away from a career on stage herself, in 2021, Lauren established her own business but kept the theatre firmly as a hobby. She said: “Soon after starting Escapism, I became a Member at TRP and have seen A LOT of shows! I think The Artist is my favourite – the images are still burnt into my memory. I also loved Aladdin and Come from Away – which I watched twice in one week – as well as Buyer & Cellar in The Drum. Musicals are my favourite genre, but I’ve got dance and opera booked this year and am looking forward to seeing a variety of shows.”

Speaking about why she loves the theatre in general so much, she said: “I love the electric energy of waiting for a show to start. When the room suddenly goes silent and the lights go down. It’s addictive. There’s nothing like it.

“I like to live vicariously through shows and be me – unapologetically. The theatre is a place where you can be whoever you want to be and that goes beyond the stage, it’s the same for the audience. It’s a great escape and a wonderful feeling to be a part of.”

Watch Lauren’s video: