Who is Georgina Symes?
I am many things but at the moment I am a working actress (hooray) and a sleep deprived mother. Constantly hungry, tired and often grumpy. There is a crazy identity crisis that hits when you become a parent after spending years being a selfishly obsessed career driven actress. It is a relief though.I’m not so bloody hung up on what people think of me and life definitely gets put in perspective (please just refer to any article on Mamamia regarding this topic.) It is a challenge finding the right balance but somehow it all works out if you just say yes and trust your Mum will fly back and forth from Brisbane for a few weeks during the rehearsal period.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I think about this often and my back up career was always accounting. It probably still is accountant as I do really enjoy collating my receipts for tax time. I find it strangely therapeutic. But this acting game and me are in it for the long haul. There are insights with hindsight but we can’t go back so hopefully the mistakes and mess ups become wisdoms for next time.
Who inspires you and why?
My best friend & creative Army of Love collaborator Nic Holas. Not only is he hilarious, handsome and beautifully articulate but he is always brave and truthful. He is as a superb human & HIV activist. I adore him. All my very creative and clever friends. They are colourful, funny and ridiculously talented. Yes, I am also talking about you Jonathon Oxlade designer & performer superstar. Sia, Vivienne Westwood, Isabella Blow, Robin Wright, Amy Poehler. My son Louis Skip. He’s the best. His laugh makes everything OK.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Compulsory dancing and dress ups – especially pom pom hats. Everyone seems to be happier at a parade or a festival. Love and laughter is all you need.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I am desperate to visit the Big Apple but I would happily road trip a far north Queensland holiday with my family. Some camping, some fancy resort. Beach and snorkelling. Coastal nature always soothes me. Love to visit Tasmania or New Zealand, and Sweden someday. Wine and a pickled herring why not?
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
VIVID Sydney is such a fab festival. The beautiful Opera House, Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Taronga Zoo. Those giraffes own the best real estate.
What are you currently reading?
Ha if only! My attention span is quite challenged with my current sleep deprivation but I have begun to read about 20 times We are all Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler.
What are you currently listening to?
A mixture of Sufjan Stevens, Courtney Barnett, Felice Brothers and ABC Nursery rhymes.
Happiness is?
Coffee, beach swims and holidays, cuddles with my son. The espresso martini I dream of having one day soon.
What does the future hold for you?
I am dreaming into the next instalment of my solo theatre show Uta Uber Kool Ja. Nic Holas and I created a hotel room after party show for the Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe Festivals and we want to return there in 2016 with a bigger, more ambitious idea.
Georgina Symes has performed extensively with Sydney Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare Company, Griffin Theatre Company, Darlinghurst Theatre & La Boite.
After graduating from the Actors Centre she toured with the 20th anniversary production of Away. An emerging artist residency with Queensland Theatre Company saw her perform in productions including The Importance of Being Earnest, The Female of the Species & Ruby Moon.
Other theatre credits include Every Second (Darlinghurst Theatre Company); In a Heartbeat (Sydney Theatre Company); Porn.Cake; Crestfall (Griffin Theatre); The Alchemist (Bell Shakespeare); The Dance of Jeremiah (La Boite Theatre Company).
Georgina’s Film & TV credits include Indie features Bad Behaviour, The Tail Job, and short films Flat Daddy & Josh. Her TV work with the ABC include Skitbox’s new comedy pilot, The Elegant Gentleman’s Guide to Knife Fighting, Fresh Blood, Rake and Bananas in Pyjamas (Animated Series).
Her debut solo work Uta Uber Kool Ja had sell out seasons at fringe festivals nationally, winning awards in both Perth, Melbourne and the John Chataway Innovation Award in Adelaide.
Georgina is currently appearing in Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s production of Deathtrap at the Eternity Playhouse until 10 May 2015. For more information, visit: www.darlinghursttheatre.com for details.
Image: Georgina Symes – photo by Helen White