Category Archives: Suzy’s 5 Questions

5 Questions with Charles Allen and Anna Houston

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Anna Houston

Anna Houston

Charles Allen: How do you prepare to play a character that isn’t even given a name in the play, you are only referred to as Curley’s Wife?
Anna Houston: I work like a script detective … what clues are in Steinbeck’s script, his novel? Then I broaden the scope to look at the time period she came from. That helps with filling in the gaps about domestic life, socio economics, education, and so on. The rest is imagination and intuition. So much of what you bring to a role is intuitive, emotional. That’s the fun stuff. I also found a beautiful letter that Steinbeck wrote to Claire Luce, the first actress to play Curley’s Wife on Broadway in 1937. In it, he discusses her background, her motivations and desires. That letter does a lot to restore her dignity and humanity.

Curley’s Wife wants to be a star in the movies… which would you choose, being a star on stage or in the movies?
Can I do both, please? I think I’ll go with being a star on stage, paid movie star money.

5 words you’d use to describe working with a cast of 10 actors.
A noisy explosion of creativity.

Favourite down time activity on your days off from acting?
Sleeping.

Why should people see Of Mice And Men?
Because it’s Steinbeck! It’s gritty, heart breaking and timeless. It’s epic on the most intimate and vulnerable scale. And the artists at the helm of this production are at the top of their game. Excellent direction, design and performances. It deserves a damn big audience!

Charles Allen

Charles Allen

Anna Houston: Of Mice And Men is controversial for its language and the social environment surrounding its only African American character Crooks, how do you feel playing a role like that?
Charles Allen: Well, that comes down to separating the ego of the actor from the behavior of the character. I feel fine especially considering playing such a character requires me to stretch as an actor.

Crooks likes to read a lot of books, which book have you read recently that you really enjoyed?
I’m into Memoirs Of A Dutiful Daughter right now and I am really enjoying that.

Which actors inspire you?
My friend and fellow actor Mark Nassar. He isn’t well known but I’d put him in the ring with any actor past or present.

You are currently based in Brisbane… what is the first touristy thing you’ve done in Sydney?
Take a picture of the Opera House.

Why should people see Of Mice And Men?
Because it’s an atypical love story that is destined for tragedy. It uses simple characters to tell a complex story. It’s beautiful.

Anna Houston and Charles Allen will be appearing in Spot For Jove Theatre’s Of Mice And Men/em> by John Steinbeck.
Dates: 9 – 25 July, 2015
Venue: Seymour Centre

5 Questions with Hadleigh Adams and Christopher Lowrey

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Hadleigh Adams

Hadleigh Adams

Christopher Lowrey: What’s the best breakfast food, and why?
Hadleigh Adams: It sounds really boring, but I don’t care! Haha: Rolled oats with blueberries. Oh, or an egg white omelette with mushroom and spinach.

Which fictional character (TV, movies, books, comics, etc.) do you most identify with?
Archer. Ok, yeah he’s a cartoon, and I don’t reeeeally identify with him as much as I think he’s awesome and in real life either want him to be my friend, or to be him.

Any talents/skills most people don’t know about?
I played bassoon for 12 years. I miss it a lot.

Was there a moment when you knew you wanted to be a singer?
There was actually! I was 10 and at the time I was listening to a lot of music theatre and then I found a record and our basement and I put it on the turntable and the need hit the record right at the very beginning of the aria “Vissi d’arte” from Puccini’s Tosca. It sounded just like music theatre to me but louder, and with more instruments, which when you’re a ten year old kid in a small farming town in New Zealand that’s pretty cool. Haha. But I was hooked. That music helped me to make sense of who I am.

How many roles have you prepared?
Bajazet is actually the 20th role I’ve prepared! I’m so happy to be back here in Sydney for it. It’s an amazing opera, visceral and gritty, and I’m excited to get it up on its feet for an audience.

Christopher Lowrey

Christopher Lowrey

Hadleigh Adams: What has been your most comedic onstage moment?
Christopher Lowrey: I was singing a revival of Acis And Galatea in Venice for which my costume included huge faux Elvisesque sideburns. On a matinee show, the makeup artist applied what seemed to be the wrong size sideburn extensions. After nervously interrogating my castmates about it, I was assured that I was losing my mind and that the hair extensions were the same as ever. In the opening chorus, all of us had a lot of dancing to do and in one conspicuous moment, one of my castmates, whom I hadn’t yet seen that afternoon, swung upstage to face me impishly gesturing towards my sideburns…on his face. As it became clear the whole cast had been in on the prank, I had to interpretively dance to the side of the stage to hide my tears of laughter.

Why do you perform opera opposed to any other singing art form?
As anyone who has spent more than a few minutes chatting to me will tell you, I can’t stop nerding out on baroque music and I never stop psychoanalysing people. Opera combines both of these unhealthy obsessions. Sorted.

What’s the worst costume you’ve ever had to wear for a show?
I’ve honestly never had a bad one! My favourite was a costume made for Oberon, the concept of which was all-black Elizabethan finery (ruff, doublet, jerkin, breeches, codpiece, crown of berries) that had been lived in for the five centuries since Shakespeare had written him into existence.

What is your favourite opera aria to sing and why?
“Dove sei, amato bene” from Handel’s Rodelinda. After a performance of this at the Royal College of Music in London, I received probably the most touching note of my life, informing me that this person had been surrounded by grown men in the audience crying during my aria. I felt as if I’d accomplished a performer’s highest aspiration, to marry singing with dramatic truth in order to allow an audience to find something vulnerable and hidden and precious within themselves, and to let it free, if only for a short moment, in a darkened theatre.

What is the greatest thrill about singing Tamerlano in this production of Bajazet?
I suppose it’s getting the chance to embody a character almost diametrically opposed to my own, to flirt with the capacity to be wicked, corrupt, depraved, that lies dormant in all of us.

Hadleigh Adams and Christopher Lowrey will be performing Pinchgut Opera’s Bajazet by Antonio Vivaldi.
Dates: 4 – 8 July, 2015
Venue: City Recital Hall

5 Questions with Blake Erickson and Jay James-Moody

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Blake Erickson

Blake Erickson

Jay James-Moody: When you only have three weeks to rehearse a full scale musical, what is your process?
Blake Erickson: Research, research, research. I draw on inspiration from a wide range of sources. Obviously everything begins with the text, but people are complex, so I start to think about the influences on a characters life. When I’ve done that I begin fleshing out a character starting with their voice. Then it’s all up to what happens in a rehearsal room, the wonderful thing is that it’s a different experience every time!

Do you find it easier or more difficult working with collaborators you have a long performing history with?
When you’ve worked with someone before it does take the mystery out of it and you do get to move straight to the work rather than the usual ‘getting to know you’ side of producing a show. That said, there’s nothing I love more than new collaborations. Old friends or new, it’s wonderful to be in a room with like-minded people working toward a common goal. The theatre is a bit magical like that.

How would you say the industry of music theatre has changed in the time you have been involved?
There’s so much more! When I started out less than a decade ago there seemed to be a dearth of new work, small shows, and independent works. That has changed considerably thanks to people taking risks and having the courage to actually create something – be it a venue, a company, a show, a song, a play, even a rehearsal space.

When being tasked with bringing a character named Velociraptor of Faith to life, where do you draw your inspiration?
Religion aside, the concept of ‘faith’ to me suggests an enormous amount of self-confidence and strength. I approached the character looking at performances that have impressed me due to their quiet intensity and power. The work of Frances Conroy, Meryl Streep, and Laura Dern (ironically enough considering her Jurassic Park pedigree) have been particularly influential.

What is the most compelling reason an audience should come and watch Triassic Parq?
When I sat down to read the script for Triassic Parq, it was (and remains) the funniest script I have ever read in my entire life. Now I’ve seen it on stage with these extraordinary performers at the top of their game, it remains the funniest musical I have ever seen in my entire life. How could you resist?

Jay James-Moody

Jay James-Moody

Blake Erickson: When Squabbalogic chooses a show to produce, what most informs your decision?
Jay James-Moody: “Is this something I’m going to want to watch 20 times?” is the primary drive. There are a few other motivations including “I’m desperate to see this and nobody else is going to do it” and “I haven’t seen anything quite like this before.” More selfish reasons are “Is there a part in this for me?”

A lot of actors send you headshots and bios when audition time rolls around, do you have any do’s and don’ts or general advice for those aspiring to work with the company?
If you write me an email and address me as “James”, I tend to frown on that. It’s also telling when we are approached by actors who actually haven’t seen our work. That says a few things. But I never mind someone getting in touch and letting me know they are interested in coming on board. In terms of auditions, I want to meet people who are authentic as people and give me the impression that we will have a good time together for a few weeks and aren’t going to be trouble. Folks who are team players. Your reputation on the grapevine also counts for a lot.

Who in the business would you most like to work with, but haven’t yet had the opportunity?
It’s an incredibly long list, and we have already been very fortunate to have ticked off a number of names. A few names that spring to mind: Michelle Doake, Genevieve Lemon, Sharon Millerchip, Mitchell Butel, Bert La Bonte, Peter Carroll…

What is “Australian musical theatre” to you?
Something that needs and deserve more attention and support – not people decapitating tall poppies with a ride-on lawnmower.

You win $10m on an instant scratchie, what do you do?
Start development on that 500 – 1200 seat theatre Sydney desperately need.

Jay James-Moody is directing Blake Erickson in Triassic Parq a comedy musical involving dinosaurs!
Dates: 17 June – 4 July, 2015
Venue: Seymour Centre

5 Questions with Cecelia Peters and Jessica Arthur

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Cecelia Peters

Cecelia Peters

Jessica Arthur: What is your ultimate Sugar fantasy (think Homer Simpson in sugar land or Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory).
Cecelia Peters: The Dalai Lama, José Gonzalez and myself in a hotel room – stay with me – We order an abundance of raw vegan treats from room service (yes I’m one of the ‘kale people’. I also don’t want to offend the Dalai Lama and I’m not sure of José’s dietary requirements) and sit on the balcony, play music, slowly eat yummy goodness, and smile and everything is perfect. The end.

What is the most embarrassing thing you did as a teenager? or what is your guilty pleasure?
I feel as though the teen years are about embarrassing yourself on a daily basis and then learning to manage the urge to hide in bed all day. Or maybe that was just me. Does that answer the question?

A typical question, always a goodie – which three people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party and why them in particular?
There are so many inspirational people I would want to invite (mainly to show off how intellectually gifted I am). However, above all I’d want the table banter to be brilliant so I would say, purely for entertainment reasons, Amy Schumer, Dorothy Parker and Ella Fitzgerald.

What is some golden acting advice you’ve been given that you always keep in mind?
Whilst I was at WAAPA I worked with an Irish director called Patrick sutton. He understood my impulses more than I did. He said to me “Cece. You can’t ever switch off on stage: you’re not the kind of actor who can get away with it. You have to keep the ball in the air, don’t let it drop, or it falls flat.” I guess because it wasn’t some passed down line from the hundreds of acting methods that it just stayed with me. So simple. Don’t let the ball drop.

A song lyric that you live by.
“Twerk hard, play hard,” by the Internet.

Jessica Arthur

Jessica Arthur

Cecelia Peters: Favourite city judging by its art scene?
Jessica Arthur: Favourite city art-scene-wise definitely has to be Vienna. I spent my days in the Museumsquartier and nights at the theatre. My favourite place was the Leopold Museum where I fell in love with my favourite artist Egon Schiele. I also couch-surfed with some hippy, bridge dancing, juggling to tango music, dumpster diving folk so Vienna takes the sweet Austrian cake for me.

Who’s your favourite feminist at the moment?
My friend just gave me How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran. I am only a few chapters in but she is a true contemporary feminist and also HILARIOUS. Also I must mention my two buddies Katie Cawthorne and Laura Lethlean who I have co-founded The Anchor theatre company with. We have a group on facebook where we share feminist articles and they will both forever be my favourite feminists!

Where’s your happy place in Sydney ? Do you have one?
My happy place in Sydney is more like a happy moment. That moment is when you’re coming out of the City Circle tunnel and you get that always remarkable view of Circular Quay from the train. As a Melbournian in Sydney it always astounds me and it will never get old. (I must also give a shout out to Satellite cafe in Newtown because they have great coffee and it is such a chill place to meet up with friends).

Do you get ESP with your twin brother?
Sadly no, but we can have full conversations where only a few knowing looks and very little words are required.

Favourite show this year thus far?
Kill The Messenger at Belvoir because of what it did as a piece of theatre. In my mind, theatre should say something and spark thought to the extent that you leave the theatre and think about what you saw for days after. The content of Kill The Messenger did that for me and continues to do so months after viewing it.

Jessica Arthur is directing Cecelia Peters in The Sugar Syndrome by Lucy Prebble.
Dates: 15 – 30 June, 2015
Venue: District 01

5 Questions with Katy Curtain and David Woodland

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
Katy Curtain

Katy Curtain

David Woodland: If you were to kill someone, how would you do it?
Katy Curtain: I’m not sure, but I know how I’d get rid of the body? If you’ve seen Breaking Bad, you can probably guess where my head’s at…

What was the last show you wished you were in?
I remember having really strong performance envy when I saw La Soiree a while back. It just looked like constant joy. But if I were in it, I wouldn’t be able to watch it, so win win.

If you had to make everyone read one book, what would it be?
Lying by Sam Harris, because it’s a life changer that could improve human behaviour en masse, and it’s conveniently teeny tiny! It fully fleshes out how white lies are most destructive to the person telling them. The way it explores thoughts and behaviour is fascinating.

What fictional television world would you like to spend a week in?
The Sopranos! That part of the world has always captivated me! And a week would be the perfect amount of time to eat my weight in Italian-American food, revel in the accent and indulge in the novelty of gang life before actually having to prove my loyalty.

When you were a child, what did you want to be?
Pat Rafter’s pregnant wife. I saw her on TV all the time when he was playing. She was filmed crying in the crowd one of the times he won the US Open, and I can’t remember if she was pregnant or if I just thought it would be a cooler story if she was. Anyway, I shoved a basketball up my top, made myself cry and walked around like her for a day. I was 7, so I can probably count it as my first acting credit.

David Woodland

David Woodland

Katy Curtain: What’s the best theatre experience you’ve had in Sydney?
David Woodland: As a performer or audience member? Working with Brevity as a performer is definitely up there with the best. The experience of Wittenberg was something that I was extremely proud to be a part of. It challenged me as a performer, and was just a killer script. As an audience member…this is a hard question…I see more indie theatre over main stage, and many experiences stick out in both. But I will say that at the moment there has been a lot of great independent works going on all over Sydney. I can’t pick an overall best, but Phaedra (Lies, Lies and Propaganda) blew my mind.

What would you do with 8 million dollars?
Probably put it with the other eight and not tell anyone… oh shit!

Who is your hero?
I have many influences. In every part of my life, I am influenced by certain people to a degree but ultimately, we are in this alone. So at the risk of sounding conceited, I think that you have to be your own hero. I think that you have to believe and trust that you can be whatever you want to be. That you do not need to rely on anyone to bring you success and happiness but yourself. This is not to say that you don’t need help along the way, but the buck stops with you. This is your game.

Or I could just say Han Solo.

What was your most unrealistic childhood expectation?
That if I held the LP of The Best Of ABBA on a certain angle, I might be able to see up Agnetha’s dress.

What is the most visited website in your browser history (excluding day to day Google, Facebook, email and banking)?
Probably dictionary.com. I didn’t do very well at school. The answer to the previous question and the fact that I asked my year eleven English teacher if there was a country called Latin (not my finest hour) may possibly be a reason for this?

Katy Curtain and David Woodland will be appearing in Being Norwegian by David Greig.
Dates: 9 – 21 June, 2015
Venue: The Old Fitz Theatre

5 Questions with Cloé Fournier and Ryan McGoldrick

Posted in Suzy's 5 Questions by
cloefournier

Cloé Fournier

Ryan McGoldrick: How have you found working in the arts in Australia compared to France?
Cloé Fournier: I must say I really started my professional career here in Australia. But in general, I feel like in Australia we have a quarter of the time to develop a work, a lot less funding too as well. But, somehow, Australian artists make it work. At the end of the day, it is hard everywhere. The main difference would be in the work process and how people interact with each other. In France, we are very direct. If something is shit or if you are not doing what is asked of you, the person will just tell you it is crap. Blunt, cut throat but straight to the point. Here, it is much more polite. People are more encouraging or perhaps not as honest!

Dining [Uns]-table deals with family relationships, how do you approach including personal material in your work?
I am very interested in social behaviours and specifically human interactions. I guess that is one of the reasons I started developing this work. I often use my personal experience when I start working on a project. Then it expends but somehow I need a personal connection to the subject matter to deliver an honest work. I also think there is always something tragic present in every family story. And I like to make fun of everything that is not necessarily funny.

When did you start dancing and what made you want to make a career out of it?
From what Mum told me, I came home one day and simply said to her that I wanted to enrol in dance classes. I have no recollection on why and Mum never pushed me to become a dancer. She was far from the “ballet mum” stereotype. I was 4. I never stopped. I did not choose to make a career out of dance. The truth is I just wanted to dance so I made it happen. But it now goes beyond. I have other interests such as theatre and technology. Dance is always present in the work I create but not in its purest form.

What interests you in audience participation in performance?
The challenge, the thrill of having to improvise every night depending on who your audience is.

Who are you tipping to win the flag this year? (AFL)
Unless the players decide to play naked, I really do not care about AFL!

ryanmcgoldrick

Ryan McGoldrick

Cloé Fournier: You used to dance. In a bathtub. In public. Naked. Myth or Reality?
Ryan McGoldrick: ‘Dancing’ might be a stretch, but I did spend some time bathing with other actors in the lounge room of an ex-nunnery-turned-sharehouse in Marrickville for a sell-out season at Woodcourt Art Theatre. Yah. Reality. #freethearts

What is the best memory you have of your childhood?
Playing soccer on crisp, wintery Saturday mornings.

How does the use of technology influence your daily life?
I’m a news junkie, so I’m quite attached to my digital news subscriptions.

Do you identify as an “Arty-Nerd” specimen?
Yes. I was living a lie for so many years, but now I’m finally at peace with it, and it feels great.

With the big news about the change of funding for the Arts, do you think we are mad to be artists?
Nope.

Why should I come to see your show? (OMG, that’s six questions! #rebels – Suzy)
Because I’ve got a fucking great story to tell you.

Afterglow – 2 emerging performance makers, 2 new works, 2 weeks.
The Great Speckled Bird by Ryan McGoldrick 17 – 20 June, 2015
Dining [Uns]-Table by Cloé Fournier 24 – 27 June, 2015
Show venue: PACT Theatre

5 Questions with Gareth Reeves

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garethreevesWhat is your favourite swear word?
I really can’t go past Fuck. It has some kind of instant, guttural Norse power that I love. I’ve read some research about how swearing can actually be an effective painkiller and having been front row seat at a couple of births, I attest to its power in that regard. I now have a 14 month old so I’m weaning myself off Fuck so I go to my next favourite, Bollocks, which I think was born out of a childhood diet of British comedy.

What are you wearing?
Ha. A weird mixture of my own clothing and a couple of items our designer brought in today. It’s always a great treat when you get the shoes, especially when they’re quite different to your own.

What is love?
I read an interview recently with the guy that created the TV show Will And Grace back in the day. Asked where the names came from he said “The Will to give and The Grace to receive.” I thought that pretty much summed it up. Acting too for that matter.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
I saw Bell Shakespeare’s As You Like It in Melbourne and I give it 4 out of 5. I was pumped because I didn’t know the play well and I felt like I really heard it. What a masterpiece. Zahra Newman was amazing and that speech coming out of John Bell at this time in his life? The word Oblivion rang out like a bell I can still hear.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Look, it’s an amazing play. I confess I underestimated it on first read. It’s seriously clever. Anna and I are a couple of neurotics, if we can remember to have fun and not get lost down the rabbit hole, we should have something pretty special to show you. If you can, see it, see it again, read it, then see the Polanski film. Or if you hate it the first time go to hell and I won’t see you in the bar.

Gareth Reeves will be appearing in Darlinghurst Theatre’s Venus In Fur, by David Ives.
Show dates: 29 May – 5 Jul, 2015
Show venue: Eternity Playhouse

5 Questions with David Ritchie

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davidritchieWhat is your favourite swear word?
“Abbot”.

What are you wearing?
Sweater and jeans.

What is love?
‘Tis not hereafter, present mirth hath present laughter…

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Orphans at the Old Fitz, 3.5 stars.

Is your new show going to be any good?
Fascinating. Brilliant script and direction; deeply engaging and unpredicatable.

 

 

David Ritchie is appearing in Beyond The Neck, by Tom Holloway.
Show dates: 28 May – 13 June, 2015
Show venue: King Street Theatre

5 Questions with Pete Malicki‏

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petemalickiWhat is your favourite swear word?
Cunt. Sorry, it’s a terrible word, but it does the job.

What are you wearing?
I wouldn’t even know if I didn’t look down. I’m clothes blind.

What is love?
Depends who you ask. Semantics etc.

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Take the fifth!

Is your new show going to be any good?
It’s going to be fantastic, actually. The Monologue Project has been growing rapidly since its formation two years ago and now runs dozens of workshops, courses, shows and tours each year. Our pool of talent is growing and we’ve been fortunate enough to find the most suitable actors for the pieces we’re staging. The monologues have won 15 major awards between them and the cast are incredible. We’ve been working on this for close to half a year and it’s going to be epic.

Pete Malicki is writer, director and producer of (Extra)ordindary (un)usual III .
Show dates: 13 – 27 May, 2015
Show venue: New Theatre

5 Questions with Sri Sacdpraseuth

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srisacdpraseuthWhat is your favourite swear word?
“Fuck off”.

What are you wearing?
Jeans, t-shirt, baseball cap, and ugg boots.

What is love?
All you need is love!

What was the last show you saw, and how many stars do you give it?
Seeing Unseen at the Old 505 Theatre. A self-devised piece. Loved it! The hour flew by, 4 stars.

Is your new show going to be any good?
I love boxing! I used to box as a kid. Bitch Boxer came along and I knew I had to direct this amazing one woman show, Five characters, one actor. Although the title is Bitch Boxer, the play is not just about boxing! It’s about love. It’s about chasing the dream! The script is amazing, here is our interpretation. Come and check it out.

Sri Sacdpraseuth is directing Bitch Boxer, by Charlotte Josephine.
Show dates: 26 – 31 May, 2015
Show venue: The Old 505 Theatre