Art Starter: Naomi Price

24 October 2012 | 6:00 am | Staff Writer

Five minutes with Naomi Price.

Which actor would play you in a movie?
All I can think of are British redheads like Kate Winslet or Emily Blunt. But that seems too obvious.

What's the most cringeworthy thing you've seen on stage?
A professional musical (which shall remain nameless) in which the principal male square-gated in time to the music from the back of the Lyric stage to the front as he sang his pivotal solo. In the same production, the principal female overacted a death scene to the point of audible laughter from the audience, and the curtain call was something akin to a military procedure. I think my jaw was on the floor for the entire show. It was quite unbelievable. My best friend and I literally clutched each other to prevent outbursts of hysterical laughter.

What do you love about cabaret?
I love the immediacy of the audience's response – you can directly address them and invite them into your world, and you know straight away if you're not funny. I love that. It feels a bit like doing stand-up but with music. When cabaret is done really well, it's impacting and confronting. I love the vulnerability required by the artist – there's absolutely nothing to hide behind. Not even a massive wig or a fat suit.

What/who inspires you artistically?
Obviously Adele. She's warm and funny and has the most arresting voice on the planet. I'm also a massive fan of Meow Meow – I saw her recently at Brisbane Festival and she was astonishing. Lisa Adam (and her alter-ego Amy Housewine) has been a massive inspiration. But really, it's the amazing people I get to work alongside to create the work who inspire me the most. The artists in my life are second to none.

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What is the rudest thing you have seen on stage?
Ursula Martinez's Hanky Panky routine springs to mind… Absolutely brilliant.

If you weren't a performer what would you be doing?
Producing. I guess creating my own work means I already am – I would just like to do it full-time one day.

WHAT: Rumour Has It: Sixty Minutes Inside Adele

WHEN & WHERE: Friday 2 November and Saturday 3, Brisbane Cabaret Festival, Stockholm Syndrome