u/Embarrassed-Cap-4707

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice from people who have done large-scale UK theatre tours before.
I’m 37, based in Northern Ireland, and I’ve been lucky enough to work fairly consistently as an actor since I was 18. However, this is my first major UK tour of a large commercial musical. We’ll be rehearsing in London throughout December before heading out on tour from January until August, playing top-tier theatres across England, Scotland and Wales.
I’m incredibly excited, but I also feel like there are loads of practical things that nobody really teaches you, and I’m struggling to find much information online.
I’d love any tips, tricks or hacks you wish someone had told you before your first tour. For example:
How many suitcases did you take, and what size worked best?
What are the absolute essentials to pack (and what did you realise you didn’t need)?
How do you manage constantly living out of suitcases?
What should I buy now for my dressing room that makes touring life easier or more comfortable?
How do you create a routine when you’re moving city every week?
Any recommendations for keeping fit, eating well and looking after your mental health while touring?
What’s the best way to find reasonably priced digs, and are there any websites or tips beyond the obvious?
On travel days, how does luggage usually work? Does your luggage travel with the production lorries, or are you expected to take everything yourself on trains, coaches or flights between venues?
Are there any purchases you made that ended up being absolute game changers?
We do have one week off in April, so I’ll be able to head home to Northern Ireland, swap things over, see family and friends, and pick up or drop off anything I need.
I’m genuinely excited to experience touring life, but I’d love to start off on the right foot and avoid making any obvious rookie mistakes.
Any advice at all—big or small—would be hugely appreciated. Thanks so much!

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice from people who have done large-scale UK theatre tours before.
I’m 37, based in Northern Ireland, and I’ve been lucky enough to work fairly consistently as an actor since I was 18. However, this is my first major UK tour of a large commercial musical. We’ll be rehearsing in London throughout December before heading out on tour from January until August, playing top-tier theatres across England, Scotland and Wales.
I’m incredibly excited, but I also feel like there are loads of practical things that nobody really teaches you, and I’m struggling to find much information online.
I’d love any tips, tricks or hacks you wish someone had told you before your first tour. For example:
How many suitcases did you take, and what size worked best?
What are the absolute essentials to pack (and what did you realise you didn’t need)?
How do you manage constantly living out of suitcases?
What should I buy now for my dressing room that makes touring life easier or more comfortable?
How do you create a routine when you’re moving city every week?
Any recommendations for keeping fit, eating well and looking after your mental health while touring?
What’s the best way to find reasonably priced digs, and are there any websites or tips beyond the obvious?
On travel days, how does luggage usually work? Does your luggage travel with the production lorries, or are you expected to take everything yourself on trains, coaches or flights between venues?
Are there any purchases you made that ended up being absolute game changers?
We do have one week off in April, so I’ll be able to head home to Northern Ireland, swap things over, see family and friends, and pick up or drop off anything I need.
I’m genuinely excited to experience touring life, but I’d love to start off on the right foot and avoid making any obvious rookie mistakes.
Any advice at all—big or small—would be hugely appreciated. Thanks so much!

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice from people who have done large-scale UK theatre tours before.
I’m 37, based in Northern Ireland, and I’ve been lucky enough to work fairly consistently as an actor since I was 18. However, this is my first major UK tour of a large commercial musical. We’ll be rehearsing in London throughout December before heading out on tour from January until August, playing top-tier theatres across England, Scotland and Wales.
I’m incredibly excited, but I also feel like there are loads of practical things that nobody really teaches you, and I’m struggling to find much information online.
I’d love any tips, tricks or hacks you wish someone had told you before your first tour. For example:
How many suitcases did you take, and what size worked best?
What are the absolute essentials to pack (and what did you realise you didn’t need)?
How do you manage constantly living out of suitcases?
What should I buy now for my dressing room that makes touring life easier or more comfortable?
How do you create a routine when you’re moving city every week?
Any recommendations for keeping fit, eating well and looking after your mental health while touring?
What’s the best way to find reasonably priced digs, and are there any websites or tips beyond the obvious?
On travel days, how does luggage usually work? Does your luggage travel with the production lorries, or are you expected to take everything yourself on trains, coaches or flights between venues?
Are there any purchases you made that ended up being absolute game changers?
We do have one week off in April, so I’ll be able to head home to Northern Ireland, swap things over, see family and friends, and pick up or drop off anything I need.
I’m genuinely excited to experience touring life, but I’d love to start off on the right foot and avoid making any obvious rookie mistakes.
Any advice at all—big or small—would be hugely appreciated. Thanks so much!