Comedian and actor Rose Matafeo reflects on life in lockdown London.
It's kind of like Rear Window but in London. I can see the back gardens of everyone down the street and it's very exciting and cool, especially in summer and especially in lockdown, because everyone's at home. I do my makeup next to my window cause it's like natural light. And there's a carpark for the units next door and there's always a man who comes for the dustbins and stuff, the street cleaner guy. I try to wave at him, but he doesn't really wave back, but I love seeing him and I really want him to love me. He's just awesome. I think he looks like a cool guy. He's probably in his 40s, I reckon. I wish we had a connection really. I think I'd get shy. but if i ever saw him on the street I think I'd say, "Morning" or something but probably not.
My flatmate has kept tabs on a certain family and sort of was like, "You know, it's been a privilege to see them grow up in this lockdown." They've really grown up, like one of the kids has really grown up. Now she sees them out in the neighbourhood and almost feels like a part of their upbringing. Like, "You really turned out great, kid!" One day, years from now she'll be an elderly lady and recognise them on the street in Italy or something and she'll be like, 'Young man, I have seen you grow up.' So, through her, I have experienced that.
Speaking of Rear Window, this is my Rear Window model that I made in lockdown. This is my hand, for scale [it's roughly the size of her hand]. I made it out of matchsticks and cigarette filters. It was Christmas. I had no one, I had nothing to do, I didn't do work for a bit and I was like, "You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to do this." I hated every minute of it. It was genuinely stressful. I wasn't doing it for anything, but felt truly compelled to do it and I did it and I got it out of my system. It was like a spirit I had to expel from my body. It's based on Miss Lonelyhearts. It's very accurate. It's probably one of the more eccentric things I've done of late.