What shows or projects have you done with ETT?
Othello
Finish the sentence: Touring is important because…
I believe in high-quality theatre productions reaching as wide an audience as possible. I’m from the north of the UK and we relied on touring productions for inspiration.
Where is home for you?
London.
Where is your home away from home?
Wigan is where I grew up. Home away from home is probably the theatre- is that cheesy to admit? Well, it’s true. Or somewhere out in nature
I'm from the north of the UK and we relied on touring productions for inspiration.
The real home feeling came from the camaraderie and friendships.
How did you bring home with you on tour?
I borrowed my brother’s car! Not very environmentally friendly but having not toured before, I wanted to make sure I could take my creature comforts. Turns out you don’t need that much. The real home feeling came from the camaraderie and friendships
Which city was your favourite to visit on tour with ETT?
Newcastle
What gem did you discover on tour with ETT (could be a landmark/park/cafe/pub etc)?
Riley’s Fish Shack, Tynemouth & The Square & Compass, Dorset (I’ve been before but it was a great opportunity to revisit)
What are your touring essentials?
Laptop, yoga mat, Monmouth coffee
What’s your go-to recipe whilst on tour?
Avo on sourdough- no cooking required- you can make/take it anywhere
Which artist(s) do you most admire and why?
SO many. Bridget Riley’s recent exhibition blew me away- she drew inspiration from Georges Seurat- Stephen Sondehim created a musical about Georges Seurat. All of these artists are revolutionaries and trailblazers. There’s a real bravery, conviction and mastery there which I admire. I also admire actresses who write, direct and produce- Phoebe Waller- Bridge, Greta Gerwig, Brit Marling, Lena Dunham
What music inspires you?
Anything that feels soulful or something with funky beats that defy you to move your body. I love good quality music in all genres except metal
What image or video inspires you?
Meditating Buddha/ expanding consciousness images or activists like Greta Thunberg
What piece of writing or quote inspires you?
“To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man” Shakespeare
What, for you, makes a good piece of art?
Stark truth. Something real & relatable yet with a hint of magic because we haven’t seen, heard or experienced it in this way before.
"To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man"
'Hamlet'...the existential crisis could be cathartic for a cast away
What have been your career highlights so far?
Playing Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Piccadilly Theatre 2005/6 was very special. Filming The English Game last year (2019) for Netflix was something I’d dreamed of- a complex character in a Victorian period drama
If you were cast away on a desert island, which 5 plays would you take with you and why?
‘A Streetcar Name Desire’- it’s steamy, heartbreaking and I can finally play Blanche Du Bois! ‘The Cherry Orchard’- I love Chekov- the family/social politics and dark comedy. ‘Company’- life, love & loneliness and features one of my favourite songs ‘Being Alive’. ‘Hamlet’- it’s not my favourite Shakespeare play but the existential crisis could be cathartic for a cast away. ‘Peter Pan’- I recently played Captin Hook and child-like Neverland adventure definitely awaits on a desert island. It’s also a deep meditation on family relationships and the subconscious mind
Please can you tell us what you would say to emerging artists to encourage them to take their work on the road or join an ETT tour?
Stop being London-centric and get on the road!
Window or aisle seat?
Window
Favourite way to travel?
Plane
