Who is Natalie Gamsu?
Who is Natalie Gamsu… I think that question is always more accurate when you ask other people their experience of you. I think I’m your average neurotic warm hedonistic bold sensitive insecure strong fragile full of bullshit human being… but you’d have to ask others…
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would go to Berlin and try my luck there – as anything… just to live in that city; If I’d gone to India earlier… I don’t think I would’ve ever left; and I would‘ve loved to have studied a fine arts degree and obviously be very successful so that I could spend my hours in a beautiful studio overlooking the sea – alone – and silent for hours! The EXACT opposite of my life now!
Who inspires you and why?
People who do things for others. Who actively make life better for others. Just recently I was listening to a podcast called Fierce Girls – and the episode about Ronni Kahn made me cry (she started Oz Harvest). Disciplined people who get up every day and exercise and meditate and eat only healthy low carb, vegan orientated organic food and don’t drink alcohol really inspire me…sigh…
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Something I try to do every day when I teach; to infuse young people with the knowledge that they are fabulous just the way they are; feeling good about yourself in the world is everything; feeling valuable and that what you have to contribute to the world is of value; and to be kind… kindness is everything!
Favourite holiday destination and why?
India, the south Kerala, Pondicherry, Mumbai – the colours, the food, the people, the temples, the kindness, the warmth, the bindis, the saris… the exoticness of it all; and then of course there is Amsterdam, I love that city… and Berlin… and Tuscany… and Barcelona – this is making me so full of wanderlust all over again…
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I love walking around the City of Melbourne: the alleys; the rooftop bars; and the NGV for sure – just walking the streets of Melbourne makes me happy!
What are you currently reading?
Oh it’s embarrassing. I have many books next to my bed… but Netflix has made me a VERY lazy reader – well it didn’t make me… I am most of the way though Magda Szubanski’s book Reckoning: A Memoir and I’ve started In The Darkroom (Susan Faludi).
What are you currently listening to?
I saw A Fantastic Woman (one of the best films I’ve seen) – and I was inspired again to listen to Alan Parsons Project – I Robot… it’s been years… and of course I’m listening to the music for the show, Carmen, Live Or Dead – written by Iota!
Happiness is?
Travelling with Julian. Going to movies with friends. Spending hours and hours and hours painting or creating tapestries on my own. Having a vodka martini or two (straight up with 3 olives) with a friend or two… Singing well. That nightly ritual of arriving at the theatre to the people you are spending masses amounts of time with – that warmth – that camaraderie… it’s delicious. Reaching a student and seeing them light up. A one on one deep and meaningful with a good friend. Visiting New York. Visiting Amsterdam. Visiting Cape Town. Clothes – Op Shops… Fool in Greville Street… Alistair Trung… Dogstar… Soul Devotion. Sigh…
What does the future hold for you?
If I knew… well what I know is this: Carmen, Live Or Dead will open at The Hayes on 28 April; And I will love being there; And I will love bringing this show to Sydney; And I will love working with Andrew and Stef and Shaun and Elise Dan and Ben and Shauna and Craig and Carly and and and and the people I’ve yet to meet. And I think… wait… I’m looking into my crystal ball…the audiences will love Carmen… she’s pretty unique and fabulous… I guess other than that… adventure… newness… because I seek that… an opportunity to stay awake to think to feel…
Natalie stars in Carmen, Live Or Dead at the Hayes Theatre Co: 28 April – 6 May 2018. For more information, visit: www.hayestheatre.com.au or www.carmenliveordead.com for details.
Image: Natalie Gamsu (supplied)