On the Couch with Amelia Cormack

Amelia Cormack AAR On the CouchWho is Amelia Cormack?
A singer, actor, musician, songwriter, cabaret and voice-over artist. I’m about to appear in Razorhurst as Tilly Devine – an incredibly fierce and fearless girl from Camberwell, southeast London, who ended up becoming the most successful madame, and one of the most powerful gangsters in Sydney during the 1920s and 30s.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
I’ve always been fascinated by psychology so I’d probably look into that. Or something with horses, as I love them immensely!

Who inspires you and why?
My mother inspires me. She went back to university as a mature age student at 35 with 3 kids, and graduated with 1st Class Honours and is now one of the top barristers in the country in her field of Native Title – demonstrating that age is irrelevant if you have a dream. Also, being an Aussie performer living in NY and trying to get on Broadway, Eddie Perfect is a huge inspiration for me at the moment. An Aussie with 2 shows on Broadway – it’s a huge reminder to keep going, and that the dream is achievable with patience and persistence.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would encourage my fellow humans to practice more empathy, to try and understand something from another’s perspective. Much of the antagonism our society is facing at the moment is due to the fact that we’ve become so entrenched in our own opinions that we can’t, or won’t, try to see the other side.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Spain – the food, the culture, the people. It’s an amazing country.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Ride the Manly Ferry – I’m a Northern Beaches girl through and through, and it’s definitely the best way to see not only our beautiful harbour, but its most famous attractions. There’s nothing like the view of The Sails and The Bridge as you pull into Circular Quay. If it’s New York, where I am usually based, it would be the Highline – an ingenious transformation of the elevated train line into a park, looking over the Hudson – and a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It’s free and has amazing views of Lady Liberty!

What are you currently reading?
Loose Units by Paul Verhoeven

What are you currently listening to?
So many things – mostly true crime and comedy podcasts.

Happiness is?
Being curled up on the couch on a rainy day with my fiancé Roger and our cat Noche, watching movies.

What does the future hold for you?
The day after Razorhurst closes, I jump straight on a plane back to New York to start rehearsals the following day for a beautiful new actor/musician piece called Beau. It’s having its debut at the Adirondack Theater Festival in upstate New York.

Amelia stars as Tilly Devine in the Australian premiere of Razorhurst at the Hayes Theatre Co: 14 June – 13 July 2019. For more information, visit: www.hayestheatre.com.au for details.

Image: Amelia Cormack (supplied)