1. Where are you working at present?
At Oval House Theatre – I’m the new Director of Theatre, a role I share with Rachel Briscoe
2. Describe your occupation and why you love it.
I’m responsible for Oval House’s Theatre programme. I choose what projects to develop for production in our two theatres, and which artists we want to forge relationships with for potential future work. That’s a bit simplistic as a description, but it’ll do! I love the job because it gives me a real chance to sculpt the theatre landscape. I also work as a freelance director, so I’m lucky to be able to sit on both sides of the fence – to be working in the theatre community and spot a need – and then be able to use my other ‘Director of Theatre’ hat to help meet it.
3. Who do you most like working with and why?
Rachel Briscoe, my Co-Director of Theatre. It’s great to have someone in the same position as me to bounce ideas off and debate with. Rache and I think in similar ways but often come up with totally different conclusions – that can be really exciting and inspiring.
4. What's your dream day?
How realistic do I have to be on this one? Does it have to be a working day? Can I choose to be the Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Fiji?
5. Favourite ever show and why?
Wow. Um. I’m not sure. I see a lot of theatre and there are some that I love for their artistic brilliance and others that I cherish for their importance to me rather than any particular professional quality of achievement. When I was about 5, my parents took me to see a stage adaptation of ‘The Hobbit’ at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. I remember it so clearly and my professional self is sceptical of some of the artistic choices. Through my 5 year old eyes though, it was this magical world of wonder and I was absolutely heartbroken when Thorin Oakensheild died. I remember sobbing so loudly the usher came and shushed me! I think that was the moment I first began to understand how powerful theatre could be –simply because it absolutely captivated and touched me to such an extent that a quarter of a century later I can still see it perfectly in my mind’s eye.
6. Favourite actor/actress and why?
At the moment I rather like David Thewlis- I saw him in Beseiged a few weeks ago and his performance floored me. I’m also a long-term fan of Angus Wright who consistently surprises me. Who else? Well. For the girls team, I think Andrea Riseborough is great – we were at RADA at the same time and I remember her final year performances as quite luminous. Ellie Piercy is wonderful too.. oh there are hundreds.
7. Favourite band/musical artist and why?
Well. My guilty secret is Dolly Parton. I love the storytelling in her songs – and I do a mean Karaoke Jolene.
8. Where do you see yourself in 25 years?
I have absolutely no idea. Hopefully running a theatre that I love directing work that changes the world.
9. Any exciting future projects you'd like to mention?
Well… I’m not supposed to tell you … but I’d keep your eyes peeled for details of our Autumn Season (it involves Stella Duffy and an ensemble of Kiwis creating a piece about Sea Monsters just for us). It’s going to be a corker.
10. Random one: what's your favourite cheese?
I grew up in Greece, so it’s got to be a hard goats cheese they make in my village called Kefalotyri.
11. Do you have Twitter? Do you follow @the_prompt? You should...
Yes I tweet as @OvalDirector and @BexArch468 depending on which professional ‘hat’ I’m wearing. And I already follow The Prompt of course!
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