A Matter of Perspective

13 - David

David whistled a cheery tune to himself as he opened the stage door and climbed the old rickety stairwell that led to his dressing room. It was a Monday...just an average Monday in the West End, with a loud bustling street full of actors running around before their matinees, grabbing lunch and practicing lines. A few notes of neighboring musicals traveled out of open windows, vocal warmups echoing in the background.

Here at the Adelphi Theatre though, David only had to prepare for an evening show on this particular day - and despite having been on the Waitress cast for a few months now, he still liked to arrive early and do his normal pre-show ritual. However, he realized with a smile as he pushed open his dressing room door - that pre-show ritual had changed the last six weeks. And that was thanks to one Joseph Sugg - their resident YouTuber turned West End star.

When David had heard of the casting decision, he honestly hadn't spent much time thinking about it. It was likely another "stunt casting" - where the show would bring in an already-famous person to draw bigger crowds. David didn't mind - honestly, bigger crowds meant a bigger chance for more people to fall in love with theater. He had worked for many years, and seen stunt castings come and go - they weren't always the strongest, but they usually held their own. so he had had no qualms about Joe Sugg...despite not really knowing who he was.

Now though, six weeks later, Joe Sugg had completely transformed the Adelphi Theatre - while they were still pulling big crowds, it was more the difference backstage that David noticed. Joe had been shy at first - nervous, even. But over time, he had begun to get glimpses of the real Joe - the prankster, sarcastic, goofy lad that loved entertaining people. And while he was certainly holding his own onstage, it was Joe's easy friendship with David, and the rest of the cast, that really had made all the difference.

David left his dressing room door open, flopping down on the small sofa in the corner of the room. It was quiet, he realized. Too quiet. Joe was usually in just after lunch, ready to film some ridiculous prank or open mail on camera. But it was already 2pm and Joe was nowhere to be found.

Thirty minutes later, he heard the door creak open down the hall, and David stood, ready to tease his new friend about his tardiness. Though Joe's hushed voice stopped him, as he realized he was on the phone.

"How's Katie?" he asked softly, walking down the corridor quietly. "How was the class?"

David furrowed his eyebrows, wondering who Katie was. He knew Joe had a girlfriend, but he was pretty sure her name was Dianne.

"That's good. Sounds therapeutic," Joe continued, pushing open his dressing room door, chuckling softly. "Which speaking of...you're doing okay? At home?"

David listened intently, still confused by the one side of the conversation he could hear. He heard Joe sit down heavily at his dressing table.

"Okay good. You know you can call me any time, right? If I miss it while onstage, I'll call you right back. And I'm going to skip stage door...no, Dianne, I am. Nothing you say will make me change my mind on that, so don't even try."

David crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame, still confused, but at least now knowing who Joe was speaking to.

"I know you're a big girl, but sometimes big girls need boyfriend hugs and chats too," Joe continued, his voice still quiet. "It's okay to be upset, Dot...you're allowed to be. I love you...no I actually think I love you more...no...oh shut up, you plonker! Right, I'll let you go. I love you. Okay, bye."

David grinned to himself as he walked across the hall, leaning up against the wall outside Joe's dressing room as he hung up his phone and let out a deep sigh.