On the Couch with Tracy Mann

Tracy Mann Arts Review On the CouchWho is Tracy Mann?
Glen’s daughter. Scott’s wife. Sebastian, Barnaby, Allegra and India’s step mother. Excellent salad maker. Lazy cook. Budding, but should practice everyday, writer. Student of yoga. Actress by profession. Card carrying member of the Breast Cancer Survivor & Double Mastectomy Class of 2015. And I named the Divinyls. Just quietly.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
I wouldn’t kind of, sort of, just a minute, procrastinate as much. It’s taken me a week to answer these questions!

Who inspires you and why?
I am particularly inspired by a dear friend of mine, who does not procrastinate and as a result has seen – remarkable results. I am inspired by open hearted kindness, and non discriminatory respect and courtesy. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a great living example of these qualities.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would invent a water soluble concoction that eliminates hubris while enhancing one’s ability to listen empathically to opposing thoughts and ideas whereby perspective is broadened and decisions reached solely on what is best for community and future generations and the planet as a whole. I would then discretely, quietly without any fuss, dissolve said concoction in our water supply, doubling the dose in certain political quarters, and hopefully witness open hearted kindness and non discriminatory respect and courtesy.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Bali. It makes me happy. I would love to spend more time there practicing yoga and living simply.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Scott and I take anyone who’ll come with us to ‘Wedding Park’. Actually it’s officially known as Ballast Point Park in Birchgrove. But we were married there, hence…

What are you currently reading?
Georgia Blains’ final book, Between a Wolf and a Dog. She recently passed away, and I am so moved by the beauty of her prose. I don’t want it to end. A beautiful mind has left us too soon.

What are you currently listening to?
From 7.00am – grinding, clanking, hammering, sawing, trucks reversing, dumpsters dumping,  jack hammers, drilling, cranes craning, cement mixers pouring, thumping, bumping, trumpeting and dogs a barking. Our street is in constant demolition, reconstruction and renovation.

Happiness is?
Not hearing any of the above.

What does the future hold for you?
Does anybody know?

Tracy is currently appearing in Ensemble Theatre’s production of Relatively Speaking at the Glen Street Theatre until 22 January 2017. For more information, visit: www.glenstreet.com.au for details.

Image: Tracy Mann (supplied)

Note: Read Tracy Mann’s recent On the Couch for Australian Arts Review