Who is Marika Aubrey?
An actor, singer and cabaret performer, in Perth to perform her one woman jazz show The Last of The Red Hot Mamas at Cabaret Soirée after touring Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. The show blends the 1920’s music of vaudeville star Sophie Tucker with the true story of Marika’s own family – It’s kinda like Who Do You Think You Are? with red hot speakeasy jazz!
What would you do differently to what you do now?
On the whole, I wouldn’t change a thing… Would I have kissed my first love at age 12 in the school playground when I had the chance? YES! Ha! Some things in my life and career have taken longer than my (very) impatient heart might have wanted, but I do seem to get there in the end. If I could ask anything of my younger self, it would simply be to be brave. And there isn’t a magic recipe for that quality…It gathers in time and in experience.
Who inspires you and why?
In performance? Bernadette Robinson, whose theatrical cabaret Songs For Nobodies a couple years ago utterly blew me away and set a new benchmark for what this genre can be. In life? My 94 year old Ukrainian grandfather. He is a survivor – of war, illness, famine – but is still getting up everyday and celebrating the food on his plate and The Bold and The Beautiful being on his telly!
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
If I had magic powers I would legalise same sex marriage in Australia this very instant.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Every year my family and the same close friends take a week out of our crazy lives to stay in a lodge down in the snowy mountains. We ski, we eat and drink too much, we swap stories around the fire and feed the kangaroos. It’s my favourite week of the year. Bliss.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
Last year I spent a couple of months in Perth performing in South Pacific and got to know Perth a bit more. I adored Sayers in Leederville for breakfast (after a big show the night before, a hearty breakfast and good coffee is a MUST!). And when I was a little girl, I went to Rottnest Island. We rode our bikes around, fed the quokkas and swam near a lighthouse… I have such fond memories that I am desperate to go back! I think any visitor would fall in love with this special place.
What are you currently reading?
I’m Talking – Kate Ceberano’s autobiography. I got the shock of my life when I was reading it and got to page 277 and she mentions me! I’m quite the bookophile so seeing my name in print in a real published book was a huge cheesy thrill. Kate has already had a very interesting life and as a person, she is simply one of the most vibrant, ‘no bullshit’ dames you could ever hope to work with.
What are you currently listening to?
David Campbell Sings John Bucchino (gorgeous songs, sublime voice), Clare Bowditch The Winter I Chose Happiness, and loads of jazz always… Sarah Vaughan, Emma Pask, Miles Davis… Sophie Tucker of course!
Happiness is?
A quiet Sunday reading the newspapers in bed with my dog curled up on one side of me, and my partner on the other. Add good coffee, a dvd marathon, and no phone calls, and it’s pretty much the best of days…
What does the future hold for you?
Time spent in NYC, more solo shows touring this country and the world, working on new writing and new music – so many adventures, so little time! I’d better get cracking (and be brave, huh?)!
Upon graduation from the Theatre Nepean Acting Program (2002), Marika Aubrey was awarded the Big Brother Drama Award to study performance in the UK, since then, Marika has performed across television, film and theatre, receiving numerous awards for her performances.
Her performance credits include: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Songs for A New World and The Emporer’s New Clothes (Kookaburra: The National Musical Theatre Company); Jason Robert Brown Live in Concert; CAUTION: Aggressive Birds; REDHEAD; The Last Five Years; 12 Songs to Save Your Life, A Midsummer Nights Dream and South Pacific.
Marika’s film and television credits include All Saints, Feed and Spirited, and is regularly is asked to headline at large scale benefit evenings such as the Hats Off for World AIDS Day and Light The Night. She also instructs young actor’s at the Australian Theatre for Young People, regularly running master classes in music theatre and acting.
Marika will be performing her show The Last of the Red Hot Mamas at Perth’s His Majesty’s Theatre’s Cabaret Soiree 25 – 27 September 2014. For more information, visit: www.hismajestystheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Marika Aubrey