“I have a fear of coins, known as Cuprolaminophobia. Contactless has been a lifeline!“
What kind of actor do you aspire to be?
A truthful and humble actor. That is the most important to me. I’d also like to not only be an actor – and I am one, don’t get me wrong – but I think that being an actor now, also comes with the bigger responsibility of what it means to be an artist. It’s not only acting, but creating in a broader sense. And I aspire to keep challenging myself to create work, collectively or individually, that is genuine and relevant in a sometimes deceitful world.
What performance piece did you choose for the showcase and why?
I choose ‘Before Sunset’ by Richard Linklater. I took months to find it, rigorously looking through material, unsatisfied but when I read that one I instantly connected to it. I decided to go with it, because I really liked the arch of it, the directness, the vulnerability and the fact that the character is bilingual, very much like me.
What book, theatre, film or TV production has most inspired you?
There are a few different pieces that have had an impact of me and it’s hard to pick one. But I think that the most recent production that has inspired me immensely is ‘I May Destroy You’ created by Michaela Coel. It was spellbinding. I was transfixed by the brilliance of the show, in every way. The writing, the acting, the unexpectedness of it. It was so inspiring to witness a young artist doing it all and making something poignant and memorable.
How have you been keeping creative during lockdown?
The thing that kept me creative right at the beginning of lockdown was preparing my first self-tape for this. I was doing a piece I really enjoyed (shout-out to Alice Birch!) which kept me motivated during the first two weeks, and then the inevitable ups and downs kicked in. But I started writing/journaling, which was very therapeutic and fulfilling.