Who is Benjamin Nichol?
Writer, performer, and a very good boy. Loves a treat. Taurus Sun, Scorpio Rising.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Not much. Life is pretty great tbh. I’m surrounded by a lot of good eggs. I do wish that I’d danced as a kid though, or that I’d never quit gymnastics. In another life, I’d have pursued a career that was more body-centric.
Who inspires you and why?
Liv Satchell and Izabella Yena. It’s such an honour to work with, learn from and call them friends.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Living sustainably. Making sure queer/trans kids know they’re loved.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I just visited South America and I’m already planning a return trip. Trekking the mountains in Argentina and Chile was the closest I’ve gotten to experiencing the divine.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Swimming at Eltham Laughing Waters. Maybe camping at Wilsons Prom.
What are you currently reading?
Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by Adrienne Maree Brown. Bad Gays: A Homosexual History by Ben Miller and Huw Lemmey.
What are you currently listening to?
Rosalia. Christine and the Queens. Doja Cat.
Happiness is?
Public pools in Summer. Chocolate Mousse. Sweating on dancefloors. Staying up all night. Wigs.
What does the future hold for you?
A double bill of my two plays, kerosene and SIRENS, opens next week at fortyfivedownstairs. Presenting these two works together has been a long time coming, with this season being the first chapter in an entire anthology series of plays I am slowly writing about love and loneliness in Australia.
In many ways, this production will be the most significant moment of my career thus far. Following this season (in fact the day the show closes), I’ll be taking a tiny break from writing and focusing on acting as I’ll be starting rehearsals for the Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of My Sister Jill.
Benjamin is the writer and co-director of kerosene and the writer of and performer in SIRENS – both plays can be seen at fortyfivedownstairs from 2 August 2023. For more information, visit: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com for details.
Image: Benjamin Nichol (supplied)