Stellar multidisciplinary creative Sarah McCabe tells us about her first experience seeing live theatre, what’s on her performance wish list, and her favourite song from her upcoming production of Kiss Me, Kate.
What is your earliest memory of performing or seeing live theatre?
I remember seeing Cats (Andrew Lloyd Webber) when it came to Perth in the 80s – absolutely no recollection of the story, which makes sense since its essentially a dance contest to see which cat can go to space, but I loved that t-shirt with the cat eyes on it and wore it until it disintegrated.
What songs from the Kiss Me, Kate (apart from yours) do you enjoy?
As a jazz singer hopeful, my favourite song from this show has always been Too Darn Hot (sung by Paul, played by Artemis Lockyer in this production) – let’s see if I can convince the production team that Hattie should be involved in this number, shall we?
As a scientist and researcher when not involved in creative arts, what do you love about this aspect of your life?
It uses a completely different part of my brain – too much science can be fixed by a bit of musical theatre, and too much musical theatre (if there is such a thing) can be fixed by some science! It’s the same part of my brain that I use for sewing pattern drafting, one of my favourite parts of costume design and construction.
What role would you love to play that you haven’t had a chance to as yet?
Florence from Chess (Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus with book by Tim Rice) or Kate or Queenie from The Wild Party (Andrew Lippa). Florence could still maybe happen, but the family that own The Wild Party story took back the rights so that one is strictly in my dreams only…
You’re ordering dessert – what do you get?
Am I rushing to the theatre? Then Maltesers! If I have time, the strawberry and dark chocolate gelato from Gusto Gelato – the recipe is literally half custard half strawberries!
