Who’s going to sit 2016 (Jess&Joe) Nic down and tell her that ten years later she’d be standing as a leading lady on the stage of the National Theatre? That the girl who was grafting, hoping, auditioning, doubting, dreaming, would one day carry a show in one of the most iconic theatres in the world. I genuinely don’t think she would have believed it. Three months. Eighty shows. 12,480 minutes of heart, humour, bravery, and pure magic. Night after night of pouring everything into that stage, and somehow making it feel just as electric on the ninety-sixth show as it did on the first. That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident. That’s talent, discipline, resilience, and love for the craft. Watching this run has felt like witnessing something bigger than just a production. It’s been growth. It’s been proof. It’s been a full-circle moment for anyone who has followed the journey from the early days to now. To see her command that stage at the National, not just as part of the ensemble, but as the leading lady, is something truly special. And it’s not just her. Every single person involved in this show has been an absolute credit to themselves and to the production. From cast to crew, from those in the spotlight to those working tirelessly behind the scenes, it has been nothing short of incredible. The energy, the dedication, the care, you could feel it in every performance. This run hasn’t just been a show. It’s been a statement. A reminder that hard work compounds. That ten years can change everything. That the dreams you quietly hold onto in 2016 might just be the reality you’re living in 2026. ♥️
