What is your favourite cabaret accessory? my favourite accessory is my costume. I have the most incredible fat suit made by designer Nathalie Ryner, built to the real Adele's measurements, which provides a little cushioning in all the right places! I feel so sexy wearing it. The hair is very important, too, and I'm so lucky to have Rebecca Hubbard from Dextress Hair Face Body looking after me in the wig department.
What did you want to be when you grew up? I've always wanted to be on the stage. My parents are very musical, and always ensured we had a great musical education. As kids, my siblings and I would devour classics like The Nutcracker and Peter And The Wolf. At the age of five, my favourite piece of music was Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. My dad, a native Liverpudlian, was also a huge fan of The Beatles and we used to make the pilgrimage up to the Cavern on a regular basic. I remember learning Lady Madonna on the recorder at the age of five!
What is Adele's greatest song lyric? This is a really difficult one, and it changes every time I perform the show! Right now, though, Skyfall refuses to leave me; we've just added it to the set list for the Brisbane return season. Most people think of James Bond straight away when they hear the song, but for me it's far more universal than that. It's about connecting with that one person with whom you can conquer the world: “Where you go I go/What you see I see/I know I'd never be me without the security of your loving arms/Keeping me from harm/Put your hand in my hand and we'll stand”.
Do you have a favourite break-up song/album? It's got to be Adele's most recent album, 21. Her songs really impact me and have punctuated quite significant, pivotal moments of my life. Her music seems to find you when you need it. It's so raw and emotional and soul-baring and that's why people connect with her so intimately.
WHAT: Rumour Has It: Sixty Minutes Inside Adele
WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 April, Judith Wright Centre
