During a show there are sometimes periods where actors don’t need to be on stage for a while. Actors have different ways to stay focused while they’re waiting in the wings for their cue.
For some of the Girl from the North Country company, it’s knitting.
Time to read 1 Minute
Author The Old Vic
Published 06/08/2025
If you go behind the scenes during a performance of Girl from the North Country, you might see actors Justina Kehinde, Nichola MacEvilly and Rebecca Thornhill kitting together backstage.
‘I’ve always liked to stay close to the stage between scenes. I like to be part of the unfolding story, of what the audience are experiencing.’ Nichola says.
‘Knitting began as something to make best use of that time, an activity that would keep me occupied but also help me stay focused on the play.’
Justina agrees: ‘it gives me a sense of progress and keeps my mind attentive both on and off stage – which then helps me be more alert and present when I’m on stage.’
For Nichola, there’s an atmosphere unlike any other when she’s sitting companionably making something alongside other cast members: ‘it’s a very particular environment in the wings. It’s dark and quiet. There’s a flow that settles. Everyone’s individual entrances and exits and the routines that form around them. It becomes like clockwork. Sort of meditative.
‘I love that the pieces I knit backstage are woven with the energy of all that, and the intangible power of when poetry and music come to life.’
When Nichola and Rebecca were on the Girl from the North Country UK tour together, Rebecca took it back up too. She wanted to make a blanket for a friend who was having a baby.
Since then Rebecca’s made more presents for parents to be – ‘I recently made a pair of booties for Sophie, our DSM (Deputy Stage Manager), who is expecting a baby. I’ll be teaching Daniel [Bailey] how to do this too as he wants to make some for his sister.’
Nichola also taught Justina to knit on the same tour. She started by making ‘a very lumpy blanket for my niece’ and is currently working on ‘a gorgeous scarf for a very special person.’
Nichola takes a more experimental approach to her projects: ‘I like to just start with colours and see what happens. Usually some sort of shawl. I don’t plan too much. I just see where it takes me. My knitting stays in the wings overnight. I like to think the ghosts of the Old Vic are checking on my progress, or having a go.’
‘I love knitting with Rebecca and Justina. It’s a beautiful calm time. Gentle chat while we listen and encourage each other’s stitches. We could sit there in silence, knitting away, just happy to be beside each other.’
Photos by Manuel Harlan.
