Category Archives: Suzy’s 5 Questions

5 Questions with Francesca Savige and Damien Strouthos

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Francesca Savige

Francesca Savige

Damien Strouthos: Do you scrunch or fold your toilet paper?
Francesca Savige: I scrunch-fold. It’s a metaphor for my whole life.

What has been your worst moment on stage in a past show?
General dire moments of insecurity aside, I had one incident of corpsing on stage that was was so inappropriate and unprofessional that I’m too embarrassed to go into detail. I regularly laugh in rehearsals (Anthony Gooley is making me giggle a lot in rehearsals at the moment) but I usually pull myself together for performance. This unspeakable occasion was out of control.

Who do you think will win Origin 1 next week?
Whether you mean football, electricity or Darwin, I lose.

What excites you about our production of Inner Voices?
The play, the director, the cast, the design the venue. Pretty much everything. That’s not me pimping for publicity, it’s fact. But if I had to pick one thing, it’s the brain stimulus. I’m loving good theatre that’s prompting discussions lately. I’m still reeling from Sport for Jove’s Taming of the Shrew, and this play is giving me plenty of delicious food for thought.

Where do you find the humanity in our show where there are no plain ‘good’ or ‘bad’ characters?
John Bell was the first director of Inner Voices in 1977, and in his intro to the Currency Press script, he writes that “There is a compassion in the play – not for Ivan himself but for his situation”. I think that’s the humanity in the whole play- we can all relate to the destruction of innocence, to abandonment and isolation… At least those of us who have been lost in shopping centres and put on leash. (Yep. Me too, Damien)

Damien Strouthos

Damien Strouthos

Francesca Savige: Having been on tour quite a lot over the past few years with Henry V and Romeo And Juliet for Bell Shakespeare, do you have a best and worst tour memory?
Damien Strouthos: Best and worst memory are probably one. Henry V 2014, performance in Sale, Victoria. A viral corpsing moment that effectively stopped the show (standard) during the last scene thanks to a Mathew Backer line fluff. 7/10 actors uncontrollably convulsing with laughter isn’t the best way to end a 2.5 hour Shakespeare. Or maybe it is. I had my fist half way down my throat trying to stop whilst we were meant to be signing a 3 part harmony of “I vow to thee my country”. To this day, mention to any of the actors from that company the phrase ‘Sale, Henry V‘ and you’ll get a good yarn.

What are you most enjoying about rehearsals at the Old Fitz at the moment?
$3 beers and working with some people I really admire.

Have you previously encountered Louis Nowra on page, stage or in person? And if so, what was that experience like?
I’ve read a few of his plays, never performed in one. Which is odd as Inner Voices is arguably his most obscure. The experience on working on it so far has been totally challenging in a good way. I haven’t met him but he hangs out at the Fitz a lot so I hopefully will get the opportunity to ask him why he put a bloke in a bear suit in scene 7.

Can you draw on any personal experience for your current role as the Russian infant King who was kept imprisoned for 23 years, with minimal human contact and communication?
My mother lost me a in a shopping centre once when I was too young to describe who I belonged to. I was also one of those kids who wore a child leash (there’s not really a better name for that?) so yeah, I totally understand oppression and isolation.

To be honest, I tend not to use my life in my work too much unless I’m really not hitting something emotionally. Just being informed by the given circumstances and using the words on the page and trying to be truthful. Without knowing it, your life informs your work I think.

If you could speak only one word for 23 years, what would it be?
I’ll just pop that there.

Francesca Savige and Damien Strouthos are appearing in Inner Voices by Louis Nowra.
Dates: 15 June – 9 July, 2016
Venue: Old Fitz Theatre

5 Questions with Lauren Dillon and Caroline Levien

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Lauren Dillon

Lauren Dillon

Caroline Levien: In The Heidi Chronicles, we bump into Heidi intermittently over the course of three decades. What were the challenges in portraying a character over from the age of 16 to the age of 40?
Lauren Dillon: I guess the biggest thing for me was having to make the connection between each year that we see Heidi and figuring out what happened that influenced her life, her state of mind and social standing in those blocks of time that we don’t see on stage. She goes through some pretty significant changes and they also happen during quite iconic political movements in America so wrapping my head around all of the historical context has been a big part of this also. It’s a challenge to find the subtle changes that are necessary to show the evolving nature of a person as they grow older, while also keeping everything true to that character. Also slightly terrifying trying to remember what I was like as a 16 year-old!

Through the play, Wendy Wasserstein tracks the waves of feminism through her character’s respective journeys. We see it through the nurturing women’s rap groups of the 60’s-70’s, the open protests for equal representation, women’s collectives, and finally the 80’s: ‘beating men at their own game’ and the rise of the business woman. In light of this journey, where do you think feminism stands today?
Somehow the topic of feminism can still make for extremely volatile discussion along with misinterpretation and confusion. I see fantastic initiatives where women who live in countries that are closer to gender equality are now also fighting for the basic equal rights of women in situations where they are still oppressed, politically or socially. I see really positive steps on the global stage towards acknowledging that feminism is about gender equality on the whole and how it not only benefits women but men as well. Yet there are still those who think that Feminism is a dirty word espoused only by man-hating witches, and some of the vitriol out there, especially online, is really quite upsetting and disturbing. The battleground is not only in the public arena, it’s still very personal and I think young people now are looking for ways to take it in to their own hands. It seems feminism has accomplished much yet there is ongoing work to do to tackle the anti-feminism ignorance that still exists.

We meet Heidi through the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. As an actor, what era has been the most fun to revisit?
Hhmmmm…. That’s a tricky one. They’re all so great and full of fantastic music, political changes, fashion and social movements. I think I’d have to say the 60’s and 70’s though, as these are the years where Heidi has a lot of her political/ feminist awakening and becomes a little rebellious. Plus I have to admit that watching youtube videos of Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane and Fleetwood Mac is very satisfying ‘research’.

What have you most enjoyed about working on this production of The Heidi Chronicles?
I’ve really loved working with our awesome cast and crew. Everyone brings their own slice of magic to the room, and is also really supportive and encouraging of each other. I’m inspired by everyone each time we rehearse as I’m learning from people who’ve been doing this longer than me and also watching great choices and incredible work ethic from others. There have been a lot of laughs in the rehearsal room, and some fabulous reminiscing on the past from our Director – lots of great stories and insight. Plus our stage management team are the business!

What do you hope audience members will take away from this production of The Heidi Chronicles?
I hope that the audience will have a really enjoyable couple of hours watching a play that’s got a heap of women in it and not your typical linear structure. I hope they will have the opportunity to reflect on what’s changed in the world since this play was written – but also what hasn’t and see if that moves something in them. I also hope they have a bloody good laugh – there’s some comedy gold in there!

Caroline Levien

Caroline Levien

Lauren Dillon: The Heidi Chronicles was a Broadway hit & Pulitzer Prize winner in the late 80’s – what keeps it relevant today?
Caroline Levien: So much. In a way I wish it was less relevant if it meant that we had come a little further as a society in terms of what we ask and expect of women.

The Heidi Chronicles really tracks the various waves of feminism from the 60’s-80’s and explores a wide variety of themes including ‘sisterhood solidarity’, sexual liberation, gay rights and ‘having it all’ to name a few.

I feel like the subject of feminism is something that has been tarnished a bit and I cringe when I hear women say they don’t need it, as though it’s the new F word and can’t be uttered. On the contrary: It should be studied, celebrated and reinvented. Heidi’s journey through the play highlights the ups and downs of the movement as it changed through the eras. Was it perfect? God no. These social and civil movement rarely go smoothly because what they are doing is shaking up the status quo- there are no rulebooks for how they are supposed to run so in each era the play visits, we see how the ideas have changed: from ultra supportive Consciousness Raising Rap Groups in the 60’s all the way to the rise of the Power Women of the 80’s and the corrosion of the early notions of ‘solidarity’ in favour for emulating traditional male roles in the pursuit of success- shoulder pads anyone?

The Heidi Chronicles looks at these changing incarnations of ‘feminism’ and does so with a certain humour and intelligence that I hope resonates with audiences today, and ask them to study where the role of women’s equality sits in our current era. I imagine most people will recognise that we still have a long way to go.

What are some of your picks of songs that were released in the years Susan features in the play?
Tough one. I’m a big fan of the 60’s and 70’s music so I’d probably have to pick The Kinks. Although my favourite Janis Joplin song happens when I’m off stage so I am free to rock out. Lucky me.

What have you most enjoyed about working on The Heidi Chronicles?
The ensemble. We have some wonderful people working on this production and it’s been such a pleasure to watch and learn from the other actors and the lovely work that they bring to the floor. It’s a challenging play, charting a whole lifetime in two hours, so having a great supportive group of actors and creatives is such a blessing.

There are several scenes in the play where you get to eat/ drink – what’s your pick of the food/ beverage options?
I seem to be either constantly eating or drinking wine in this play. Tough call but it’s got to be Jill’s peanut butter and granola cookies. The breadsticks are pretty fabulous too.

Do you quietly have a favourite character from this play? Come on – spill the beans…
I love all the characters for various reasons. I love my own character, Susan, for her ballsiness and confidence which at times feels so far removed from me as a person and actor, but if I had to pick a favourite I would have to chose Heidi. Her journey speaks so clearly to me that it’s almost eerie. A woman in a world that is constantly changing in ways that she cannot control or fathom, stoic in her beliefs in a society with a very mutable moral and social compass, people coming and going and morphing in front of her, leaving her with no solid ground to stand on. Jesus it’s like an extract from my diary!

The woman in a tempest of a changing world. For me, Heidi is an ‘everywoman’.

Lauren Dillon and Caroline Levien are appearing in The Heidi Chronicles by Wendy Wasserstein.
Dates: 7 June – 9 July, 2016
Venue: New Theatre

5 Questions with Keane Fletcher and Ruverashe Ngwenya

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Keane Fletcher

Keane Fletcher

Ruverashe Ngwenya: Tell us about your role in We Will Rock You.
Keane Fletcher: My role in We Will Rock You is the Swing, which means I understudy all of the male ensemble members and have to be ready to go on for them at a moment’s notice. I also understudy two of the lead roles in the show, Galileo and Khashoggi.

Tell us about your favourite experience when you were touring the world with the Ten Tenors?
It’s hard to pick just one favourite experience with The Ten Tenors. I spent six years touring the world with them and in that time I got to visit so many beautiful countries and sing in some amazing venues. Performing for Oprah on Hamilton Island’s Whitehaven Beach was pretty amazing, as was singing for 60,000 people at the opening of the UEFA Cup in Warsaw, Poland. My time spent with them was an incredible experience and one I’ll never forget.

If you could invite six people, living or dead, to a dinner party at your house, who would they be?
Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, the writer Lorrie Moore, Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe (they could carpool) and, of course, Freddie Mercury. The world’s best dinner party followed by world’s worst hangover!

What’s your favourite holiday destination?
New Orleans baby! I’ve been lucky enough to go a few times, once for work but mainly for pleasure, and I still can’t get over how otherworldly and exciting it is. So many famous writers, playwrights and musicians have lived there and you can feel the impact the city must have had on them. There’s music pouring out of every corner, amazing food, so much voodoo and superstition, and you can drink on the street. What more could you want?

What is your favourite Queen song and why?
Bohemian Rhapsody, no question. It’s the first Queen song I remember listening to as a kid and so I can’t separate the nostalgia I feel for it from my general love for it musically, but I guess it doesn’t matter. Great music usually marks a moment in time for people and I think that’s why people love Queen so much, because their songs have become ingrained in all of our lives. If you hear Bohemian Rhapsody come on the radio and aren’t singing along by “thunderbolt and lightning, very very frightening” then there’s something wrong with you.

Ruverashe Ngwenya

Ruverashe Ngwenya

Keane Fletcher: Tell us about your role in We Will Rock You.
Ruverashe Ngwenya: My role in We Will Rock You is quite a versatile fun one! I start off the show playing the Gaga teacher/spy for Khashoggi and his “army”. I am very much a part of the law enforcement to ensure the rules and regulations are being followed by the students. I also am a part of the amazing ensemble and sing a lot of amazing music along with the cast. I also get to play the feisty diva, Bohemian Aretha, which is a lot of fun and a huge contrast from the Gaga teacher. I also understudy the role of Killer Queen.

You played the violin as a child. Do you still play in your spare time?
Yes, I did play the violin as a child! Wow thanks for the reminder haha. No I don’t still play – the violin was more like an introduction to music for me. It was how I learnt to read music, pick up the theory side of music and broaden my horizons as a musician, eventually finding my passion in singing and performance.

If you could invite three people, living or dead, to a dinner party at your house, who would they be?
They would have to be my grandmother who passed away when I was 9 along with Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson.

What is the holiday destination you’ve always wanted to go to?
That is an impossible question to answer! There are so many places in the world I want to and WILL travel to (hahaha) mainly most of Africa. I really want to explore the continent and all its cultures and customs thoroughly. South America is high on the list! Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Argentina, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and definitely India when I’m older later in life – that’s the main list!

What is your favourite Queen song and why?
My favourite Queen song would have to be We Are The Champions – I absolutely love singing it! The song fills you with so much pride and happiness. When you sing it you just feel great! So uplifting!

Keane Fletcher and Ruverashe Ngwenya can be seen in We Will Rock You, the Queen musical.
Dates: 20 Apr – 26 Jun, 2016
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre

Dates: 10 Jul – 7 Aug, 2016
Venue: QPAC, Brisane

Dates: 30 Aug – 9 Oct, 2016
Venue: Regent Theatre, Melbourne

5 Questions with Chenoa Deemal and Ildiko Susany

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Chenoa Deemal

Chenoa Deemal

Ildiko Susany: What is your dream role to play?
Chenoa Deemal: I’m not African or Egyptian, so this dream will probably never come to pass (and I’m completely ok about it because it’s always better if the correct nationality plays a historical role) but Cleopatra has always been my dream role. I really just hope that one day soon we’ll see a woman of colour play her.

What is the most interesting thing about playing Jessie in A Man With Five Children?
Jessie ages throughout the show from 7 to 35, what’s really interesting and challenging is making the subtle shifts between ages. For example, in one scene Jessie is age 14 and the next she’s 15, what’s interesting and exciting is finding the mental and emotional transition between these two scenes, this happens throughout the play and for me, it’s what makes the rehearsal process much more enjoyable.

If a documentary was made about your life, what aspect of it would you want them to focus on? Why?
I grew up on a remote mine site in Far North Queensland called Cape Flattery, I’d love to do a documentary recreating all the fun/silly things we did as kids. I’d like to show the rest of the country a different perspective of growing up in Australia and show that it doesn’t matter where you start in life, as long as you finish where you want to. Narrated by Morgan Freeman of course. Or would the more interesting choice be Dave Chappelle?

What is your relationship to social media?
I have a love/hate relationship with social media. I like that you can keep in contact with colleagues, family and old friends but more and more I feel that I prefer to not be on social media at all. To put it simply I feel it’s much better for my peace of mind. I think we’re becoming obsessed with following other peoples lives and projecting what we want other’s to see about our lives.

A Man With Five Children is set before the Facebook/social media phenomenon took over the world but it’s so interesting to look at this play in terms of that obsession. Initially the characters have no control over how they’re perceived by rest of the country but as they get older they realise that they want to change the labels they’ve been placed under. It’s the same with social media, we’re constantly projecting what we think is the best version of ourselves and more and more I’m finding it exhausting and boring.

What is your ideal vision for Australia in ten years time?
Very simply, I hope that Australia evolves into a country that is not controlled by fear of the unknown and more into a society that embraces differences with open ears and open hearts. Easy, isn’t it?

Ildiko Susany

Ildiko Susany

Chenoa Deemal: If you could have one superpower what would it be?
Ildiko Susany: It’s so hard to choose just one! I would love telepathy and telekinesis. Although, flying and invisibility would be really advantageous too… I want to be in a superhero movie! I really want to do my own fight scenes and action sequences!

What do you hope the audience will be thinking about as they drive home after the show?
This play is so epic and expansive. I want audiences to have their own debate about whatever themes rouse them to action and conversation. Personally, I am very interested in the evolution, complexities and unravelling of the constructed relationships within the play; the abuse of power; the pursuit of art and at what cost; the desire to leave a legacy. What also sparks my interest – based on the documentary focus of this play – is how we as a technologically advanced society construct our identity and present it to the rest of the world and how in this globalised community where it is so easy to instantly ‘connect’ with one another, we remain some of the loneliest people on this planet – concealed behind a screen with no true sense of purpose or community. What does it mean to have a tangible, mature and unguarded human connection? What is there to gain? To lose? Are we too terrified to be for others the human being we are deep within – the one unfettered by barriers; truthful, open, exposed?

What do you love about your character Annie?
I love Annie’s strength, resilience and generosity of spirit. She’s a tough woman and she’s down to earth. She’s doing all she can to keep her family together and rise above all of the challenges preventing her from pursuing her own aspirations for herself.

What do you dislike about Annie?
I’m probably defending my character too much – but I love her! I think she makes a poor choice in the play but she’s trapped in a very complex, challenging and heart-wrenching of circumstances. She is really trying to do her best to keep her family together and to keep them (and herself) afloat. She is just keeping her head above water when she’s losing the will to keep treading water. Despite her family, she is ultimately isolated, unsupported and alone.

In a movie about your life, who would play you?
I would really love a postmodern rendering of my life where different actors play me at various points in my life: Ilana Glazer, Idris Elba, Mary Louise Parker, Ray Chong Nee, Mariska Hargitay, Chiaki Kuriyama and maybe a cameo from Amal Clooney (although she’s not an actor)… and perhaps myself even! I would definitely want actors of colour in my biopic – no one is going to whitewash my story!

Chenoa Deemal and Ildiko Susany can be seen in A Man With Five Children by Nick Enright.
Dates: 3 – 26 June, 2016
Venue: Eternity Playhouse

5 Questions with Lauren J. Jones and Martin Ashley Jones

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Lauren J. Jones

Lauren J. Jones

Martin Ashley Jones: What are the best and worst aspects of playing Rosie?
Lauren J. Jones: Rosie is quite confident and sassy at times and she also has a lot of love to give. I love the dynamic of her character. However, I’m finding that the greatest challenge is getting back into the mindset of a 19 year old who, whilst being quite mature is still young.

What do you love about Rosie?
I love that at 19 years of age Rosie handles such an intense, sad and conflicting emotional experience with such grace and maturity. She is a fun loving girl who really does want the best for the people she loves.

What have you loved about this process?
I’ve loved working with older actors and dealing with a subject matter that is not something I have ever had to really think about with before. It’s been eye opening and thought provoking to say the least. The cast and our director Barry Walsh have all been such a joy to work with too!

What have you been doing previous to this?
From 2009-2013 I lived in London where I went to drama school and worked as an actress. Since then I have continued acting but am also currently in my final year of a BA in TV and Film Production at JMC Academy. Whilst continuing acting I am beginning to branch out into directing and writing, mainly for film which has been fun!

What do you prefer, acting or directing?
I love them both… equally I think! In regards to acting I love being able to explore a character, really working out their characteristics and mannerisms etc. As a director though I love being able to look at all of the characters and the world as a whole and really being able to have my own interpretation on a whole script as opposed to just one character.

Martin Ashley Jones

Martin Ashley Jones

Lauren J. Jones: What’s been your favourite role and why?
Martin Ashley Jones: I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and rewards that I have experienced in all of the roles I have been privileged to be able to play but Macbeth was a sensational role and I think that the time of my life in which it came along was very special in so many ways. I’d love the opportunity to play him again at some stage.

Have you always written?
Pretty much yes. I have always been doodling and scribbling away at something. Just finishing Is It Time has been a real accomplishment for me as I’ve got quite a few unfinished projects floating around so I am stoked for the play to get from my head to the page, to the stage!

Where do you see yourself in the future within the arts?
I’ll continue to perform and write. I’d like to direct some more and I’m not sure whether it’s my age or my frustration with the abandonment of the arts by the government but who knows, I may even get a bit political!

Why did you choose not to direct or act in Is It Time?
At various stages I was always going to do one or the other or maybe even both but because of the scheduling and another personal commitment that arose I was unable to do either. I’m very excited though to now watch the play not having anything to do with the production. I feel it’s in safe hands and I now get to see totally from the perspective of the audience.

There are some very challenging themes in the play how do you think the audience will react to these?
I haven’t concentrated on how the audience will react to any aspect or theme within the play. I have written a story about family, friends and some of the complexities and challenges that we all face in one way or another throughout our lives. I realise that there is subject matter that may polarize people but then so do stories in the news everyday.

Lauren J. Jones can be seen in

5 Questions with Maria Angelico and Simon Corfield

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Maria Angelico

Maria Angelico

Simon Corfield: In Bad Jews it is their grandfather’s heirloom that they fight for. What would be the thing that would send you into battle against a family member?
Maria Angelico: I love that the question is worded as to assume I’ve never gone into battle with a family member before! Being one of three sisters with Sicilian background; unfortunately we have. That being said though, we’ve never gotten to the level that this play does. If there were something though, it I would have to be if one of us did something to damage our closeness. It may sound strange but my family work hard to be close, so if one of us went against that, we’d fight fiercely to fix it… so I guess we’d go against each other to not be against each other if that makes sense ha!

Daphna is a force to be reckoned with, what kind of natural disaster do you think she would be?
Great question! Tornado. She’d be a lone freakish Tornado that you see coming but can’t look away. She approaches slightly and it’s almost exciting, then all of a sudden you can’t escape and she sucks up all your world, energy and cookies, leaving nothing but mess and exhaustion…. yet she’s still kind of cool and exciting. So yeah, she’d be a tornado.

Have you found it difficult playing Daphna each night? If so, what in particular?
Playing a role that thinks and speaks at three times the pace that I do is incredibly difficult. It takes a lot of energy! Sometime I feel like I’ve run a marathon after the show and I have to keep looking after myself. That’s not too difficult though, it’s satisfying. The hardest thing would have to be how cruel she is. It is so much fun getting to be a bitch on wheels every night, it really is, but getting into Daphna’s bitterly lonely psyche every night can feel a bit heavy. I have to make sure I spend lots of time in-between shows, laughing, relaxing and spending time with puppies and people I love. I wouldn’t have it any other way though! I’m thrilled and grateful to get to be Daphna, Joshua Harmon did such a wonderful job of writing such a dynamic, smart, witty and deep role for a woman and I cherish the opportunity!

You have written and starred in your own acclaimed comedy web series, Movement. Who tickles your funny bone?
So many people do! I’m a big fan of SNL Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph in particular, I also LOVE Louis CK and Larry David, oh and Julia Louis- Dreyfus, Jenny Slate, Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson of broad city and Lilli Tomlin, Woody Allen, Gilda Radner! Oh god the list could go on and on and on! That being said, I actually think I find my funny bone most often ticked by strangers and moments I witness in my day to day activities, from little things I over hear or awkward moments that happen even to myself or friends. Life to me is more than often hilarious. We humans are funny awkward creatures!

Any tips for those wanting to access their inner manipulative bitch?
1. No one is your friend. You can be anyone’s but choose not to be.
2. You are superior.
3. People are amusingly stupid.

Simon Corfield

Simon Corfield

Maria Angelico: What do you like most about the play?
Simon Corfield: That when you walk on stage each night you never know if the audience are going to laugh, gasp, or both. *added bonus is people coming up to you in the foyer telling you how much they hated you.

What do you dislike most about the play?
That it’s only 90 minutes. Once I have jumped into the world of Bad Jews, I really could keep going. It’s too much fun being a self-entitled, smug little f&@k.

How would you describe the cast in three words or a phrase?
A cast that laughs together, farts together.

What TV or film is the play most like?
The comedy in the play reminds me of early Woody Allen, or Curb Your Enthusiasm, but the fight between Liam and Daphna reminds me of the awesome 80’s film The War Of The Roses.

What have you learnt from the play?
When playing a character like Liam, to never be afraid of your audience disliking you. You cannot control what personal experiences and beliefs an audience member walks in with. Bad Jews delves into the fight between different belief systems about religion, a timely conversation that needs to keep being had, and I have learnt that in such a piece if someone hates you onstage, they are going to walk away and think or talk about why. The conversation will continue beyond watching the show, and that’s what every theatre maker wants.

Maria Angelico and Simon Corfield can be seen in Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon.
Dates: 18 May – 14 June, 2016
Venue: Seymour Centre, Sydney

Dates: 13 July – 31 June, 2016
Venue: Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane

Dates: 9 – 14 Aug, 2016
Venue: Regal Theatre, Subiaco

5 Questions with Shevvi Barrett-Brown and Caillin McKay

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Shevvi Barrett-Brown

Shevvi Barrett-Brown

Caillin McKay: What is gender?
Shevvi Barrett-Brown: Lies, identities, forced roles, aesthetics, fluid, oppression, occasionally fun, mostly something to escape.

What is the most challenging things about doing this show?
Learning 88 pages of dialogue, playing a character that I wouldn’t want to talk to in real life – and so finding an in to the character is difficult, as I’ve actively tried NOT to identify with 40 year old cis male upper middle class transphobes. I’ve also been curled up in the foetal position for a lot of rehearsal with a mysterious illness. Cailin bought me a lot of mandarins.

Answer as your character Vic: why haven’t you taken the washing down yet?
I had a double shift at work, I took Chloe to tutoring, took my dad to his doctors appointment and organised things with the bank, I’m busy. I’ll get to it.

Answer as your character Joss: what’s your favourite thing about having children?
Teaching them about the wonders of the world.

If you could be any animal what would you be?
Unicorn. I am queer.

Caillin McKay

Caillin McKay

Shevvi Barrett-Brown: What is gender?
Caillin McKay: Pretty simple really! Of course, it depends on the person you talk to. For example, my gender is *a truck drives past, blaring its horn. Suddenly foghorns sound and air raid sirens shriek*. Hopefully that explains it.

What is the most challenging things about doing this show?
The intense focus on how I move and hold myself has been the hardest part of the show for me.

Answer as your character Vic: why haven’t you taken the washing down yet?
Joss, I did. Two hours ago. That is the new load on the line. Which, I’d like to remind you, you promised to put up.

Answer as your character Joss: what’s your favourite thing about having children?
I’ve always wanted to be a parent! I always knew I’d be a good one. And I have been! The kids love spending time with me.

If you could be any animal what would you be?
A cat. Being able to comfortably sit on the floor sounds like heaven.

Shevvi Barrett-Brown and Caillin McKay are appearing in Telescope by Charles O’Grady.
Dates: 12 – 21 May, 2016
Venue: Leichhardt Town Hall

5 Questions with Krystiann Dingas and Emilia Stubbs Grigoriou

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Krystiann Dingas

Krystiann Dingas

Emilia Stubbs Grigoriou: What are the best and what are the most difficult aspects of Ros and Guil?
Krystiann Dingas: The best aspect has been challenging myself and reaching a point in the process that I never thought I’d reach. I’ve also loved delving into this play and discovering just how much is there – being immersed in it has made me truly appreciate the ingenuity of Stoppard’s work.

The most difficult aspect has been remembering all my lines. There have been so many times I’ve turned up to a rehearsal thinking I’ve got everything down and then soon realise that I have a bit to go before I’m off book.

What do you love about Ros?
His ambition to make something happen; he spends much of the play refusing to give up on the desire to make progress. His attempts may falter or bring him back to his starting point, but he tries, and that counts. I also find those little moments when Ros tries to make Guil happy very endearing. He considers his friend’s feelings and tries to cheer him up within circumstances that make it far too easy to remain fixated on his own thoughts and emotions.

What animal would you be and why?
I would be a fox so that I can roam the lands looking fabulous – they’re such majestic creatures.

If you could put anything on stage what would it be?
A H.P Lovecraft classic – he’s a master of horror and I’d love to bring one of his great works to life.

Why theatre?
Akin to Ros and Guil, I found myself caught-up in all the action and have had no impetus to leave. Oh, and I love performing to live audiences.

Emilia Stubbs Grigoriou

Emilia Stubbs Grigoriou

Krystiann Dingas: Why Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead?
Emilia Stubbs Grigoriou: It’s actually my favourite play and I was always devasted that I could never play Ros or Guil. When our director and good friend Chris McKay came to us with the idea we couldn’t say no. The gender reversal of this play is a very interesting way to talk about the marginalisation of females/female roles in plays.

What have you loved about the process?
Working with an amazing cast and crew to create a very tricky world. I have also really loved making discoveries in the play. Reading and saying something a million times and then it finally hits you in the face. It’s quite satisfying.

If you could meet Tom Stoppard what would you say to him?
Is this a test?

What’s the most challenging aspect of running a theatre company?
Keeping many things in your mind at once, maintaining order and creating on a non existent budget..these are also the best parts in a way.

If you could spend the day with one character from literature, who would it be and why?
Oh I can’t lie, it would be Harry Potter. I want to go to Hogwarts. There I said it!

Krystiann Dingas and Emilia Stubbs Grigoriou can be seen in Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard.
Dates: 10 – 21 May, 2016
Venue: Blood Moon Theatre

5 Questions with Belinda Jombwe and Elijah Williams

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Belinda Jombw

Belinda Jombw

Elijah Williams: How has it been working with the Black Jesus cast?
Belinda Jombwe: I’ve had the pleasure to work with three talented actors who each have very different approaches to the rehearsal process. It has been exciting, challenging and overall a great learning experience.

What is your greatest fear in life?
Oh that’s deep Elijah, ha! I guess my greatest fear in life would be not living life to its fullest potential. By not being present and by not seeing and enjoying the true value in everyday things.

If you had a million dollars now what would you do with it?
Well, that wouldn’t even buy me a house in Sydney. So… I’m sure it would be invested in a bank somewhere. Well, what’s left of it would be invested in a bank somewhere. I would first move to Madrid with my husband and then travel all around Europe!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time within the arts?
I see myself as being an integral part of a vibrant, diverse and strong arts industry that is inclusive of all cultures, persuasions and physical abilities.

You walk into a store and see Beyoncé. If you could say two words only what would it be?
Guuuuuurl Lemonade!

Elijah Williams

Elijah Williams

Belinda Jombwe: If you could pick any actor to play yourself, who would it be and why?
Elijah Williams: I would pick Denzel Washington purely because he is my favourite actor and he somehow manages to adapt to play any character well and uniquely.

What’s your stance on diversity in the Australian arts industry?
I don’t think there is nearly enough diversity. Personally there is a bit happening but there could be far more showcases, for instance. I think cultural theatre is unique and vitally important to gain an understanding of the many backgrounds in our society today.

Do you have any similarities with your character?
Green bomber, Gabriel Chibamu? I would like to think I don’t have any similarities to Gabriel! Apart from the fact that he is incredibly good looking – which is obviously a trait that we both share…

What is the last film you saw and what do you rate it?
The last film I saw was Deadpool. And I rate it a 9.99 out of 10. It was AWESOME!!

Cats or dogs?
I don’t like pets or animals. I resent both cats and dogs – so neither!

Belinda Jombwe and Elijah Williams can be seen in Black Jesus by Anders Lustgarten.
Dates: 29 April – 21 May, 2016
Venue: Kings Cross Theatre

5 Questions with Nicholas Papademetriou and Clemence Williams

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Nicholas Papademetriou

Nicholas Papademetriou

Clemence Williams: If Firs was ever granted long service leave, where would he go and how long would he last before wanting desperately to return to the family?
Nicholas Papademetriou: He’d definitely go to Paris just to know what it was like after all the stories he’d heard from the master’s trips there. He’d stay in a grand hotel like the Crillon and make sure the service was as good as he would have given. He’d miss the family from day one, but he’d probably not come back as his age would probably see him die peacefully after a delicious breakfast in bed in his hotel suite.

Shoot/Shag/Marry three characters in the play.
Firs would shoot Yasha, shag Gaev (just for payback) and marry Varya. Me – I’d shoot Lyubov, shag Lophakin and if I had to marry (cause I don’t believe in it) probably Pischkin cause he’d be drunk and out most of the time.

What’s your dream role?
I’ve already played one – Perry in Mike Leigh’s Greek Tragedy – and there are a few dream roles left, but George in Virginia Woolf and Shylock.

If you could join any past/present music group, what would it be and why? Where would you tour?
I’d want to be the fourth back singer in The Supremes, cause I know all the words to their songs. I love that big hair and outfits of the 60’s. I’d want to play Vegas, the Copacabana in New York and a live concert in the Colosseum.

If you could change three things about the current political climate, what would they be?
I’d make Tanya Plibersek Prime Minister, I’d cut all politicians wages by half and I’d instigate a public panel (consisting of ordinary citizens) who would hold the deciding vote in any decisions, bills, actions, etc that were being passed on both federal and state levels.

Clemence Williams

Clemence Williams

Nicholas Papademetriou: If you could make a film that would commence where the play ends, which characters would you follow and what would the film be about?
Clemence Williams: For me, one of the most challenging characters to create an arch for is Anya. Of all the Orchard Dwellers, I think she holds the most potential for change and yet she is incarcerated by the generation before her. It’s for this reason that I think she’d make a wonderful subject of a film or perhaps a mini series: documenting her education, love affairs (above and beyond Trofimov, no doubt) and escape from a family that has done nothing but hold her back.

Which Shakespeare would you like to direct the most?
Without a doubt, Hamlet. While it straddles cross generational themes, for me it will always be the Quarter Life Crisis play. And so I would like to tackle it early in my career while his dilemmas still seem within reach.

Which three people either fictional or non would you combine to make the person that you might come back as in a future life?
That’s a tough one. Probably somewhere between Eugene Ionesco, Jennifer Lawrence and my grandmother. I would want the absurd outlook on life and art of Ionesco, Lawrence’s humour, flair and excellent hair and my grandmother’s grace, humility and integrity.

Do you think one can get through life without lying in any way, shape or form? This includes anything that comes under the banner of little white lies.
Ultimately, one should try. I think there’s a line between complete frankness and tactfulness that one has to walk, but if everyone decided to drop the bullshit then we might get more done in a day.

If you could adapt any film, composition of music (any genre) or book into a theatre piece, which would you choose?
I have so many answers to this that it’s impossible to pin one down… but I was recently quite struck by the beauty and the sadness of Jeanette Winterson’s Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal. I think it would be a fascinating slice of a lifetime to stage.

Nicholas Papademetriou and Clemence Williams are working on David Mamet’s adaptation of The Cherry Orchard by Chekhov.
Dates: 26 April – 28 May, 2016
Venue: New Theatre