Who is Gillian Cosgriff?
Gillian Cosgriff is an actor, singer, musician, writer, comedian, and procrastinator who always wants to tell you about a podcast.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Win the lottery. (I just keep not winning it – although probably entering would help.) Otherwise, nothing. My strange patchwork career of different bits and pieces is exactly the kind of career I always wanted to have.
Who inspires you and why?
So many people! I’m fascinated by people who make interesting, smart, funny work across a variety of fields. Lin Manuel-Miranda, Eddie Perfect, Kate Miller-Heidke and Virginia Gay are big inspirations. Also my partner Matt for his drive and kindness and humour and ability to reply quickly to emails. So impressive.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I’d like to see governments that look like the countries they govern, made up of diverse members of society who have expertise and lived experience in the areas to which they’re elected. The minister for women should be a woman. The minister for health should have worked in health, and so on. I feel like there’s very little empathy in politics and I’d like to see that change.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Honestly after spending 2020 in Melbourne lockdown, I’m still excited every time I leave my 5km radius. Less of a destination, but anywhere to have a beautiful holiday house with good friends, good food and drink, and an array of board games that aren’t so competitive they end those friendships.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I just love a walking tour of Melbourne. I spent most of the last year walking around the inner North and I love it. I’d start at Edinburgh Gardens, wander over through Carlton, cross over to Fitzroy, up Brunswick St, along Gertrude, and back home along Smith St, stopping constantly for coffee, pastries, art, and shopping.
What are you currently reading?
I recently finished Ghosts by Dolly Alderton which I absolutely loved. Otherwise I’m re-reading the play Emilia by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and Fleabag: The Scriptures which is the scripts of the tv show by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
What are you currently listening to?
The cast recording of Hadestown constantly, the soundtrack of Michaela Coel’s show I May Destroy You, and Steen Raskopolous’ excellent and very funny podcast Congrats On The New.
Happiness is?
A good cup of tea and enough time to drink it.
What does the future hold for you?
At the moment, a lovely return to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, return seasons of the opera Lorelei (which I wrote with Casey Bennetto and Julian Langdon) for Victorian Opera and Opera Queensland, and the joy of seeing Melbourne coming back to life again!
Gillian stars as Delphi Diggory in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child which recommences at the Princess Theatre from 25 February 2021. For more information, visit: www.harrypottertheplay.com for details.
Image: Gillian Cosgriff (supplied)