Who is Gavin Marshall?
Well there’s a question… An actor/director working in circus, theatre and film. A storyteller. A jack of all trades, he stumbles through life trying to get a bit better as he goes, both as an artist and a human being.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Use my time better. More wisely and more creatively. And not be so hard on myself all the time. But then I would be an entirely different person!
Who inspires you and why?
At the moment, my stage manager Steph Cox. She is so energized, enthusiastic, efficient, but also caring and generous. As an artist I love Kate Bush, for her extraordinary talent and imagination, and for how she lives her life and art entirely on her own terms. She’s a true shaman. As a Scot, watching Andy Murray grow into himself has been really nice. From the utter torture of watching him shoot himself in the foot time and time again (we Scots love to fail heroically!) to finding his self-belief was really heartening journey. And I love how he represents for his sport and for the issues within it.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Well, I wish I was more pro-active politically, but it can be difficult when you are working all over the place. Due to various family and friend’s experiences. I’ve become more and more interested in the process of adoption and good practice in looking after children who have lost their parents at an early age. I wish more emphasis was put on using drama and theatre to create safe spaces to help children find their voice, their confidence and their sense of true identity and community.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Don’t really do holidays as a general rule, but ended up on a beach in Thailand last Christmas. Never been before, but would happily go again.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Maybe the Botanic Gardens for the beauty – or something crazy at the Melba Spiegeltent for the madness.
What are you currently reading?
I have just finished Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James – which is an epic African fantasy novel. It’s incredible. He writes so beautifully and with such imagination. I first discovered him when he won the Booker Prize for the amazing Brief History of Seven Killings – about the attempted assassination of Bob Marley and had to read everything I could find after that. Looking forward to the film(s)…
What are you currently listening to?
Music for the show… we’re behind!
Happiness is?
A glass of red wine. Or hearing the crows cackle on a winter’s morning at home in Scotland as the sun silvers the snow.
What does the future hold for you?
Well nothing in the diary after this, which is fine as I’ve had a pretty good run the last 4 or 5 years and this job is totally unpredictable. If things go quiet I’d like to write something. I have quite a lot of stories bubbling away in there. Maybe it’s time to let them out!
Gavin directs the graduating class of the National Institute of Circus Arts in SICK – at the NICA Circus Centre: 27 November – 7 December 2019. For more information, visit: www.nica.com.au for details.
Image: Gavin Marshall (supplied)