Who is Laura Maitland?
Literally or figuratively?! A flawed, excitable, largely positive actor; theatre-maker; friend and family member, I hope?
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Within my profession, or within an alternate profession? I’m very interested in and passionate about psychology and mental health, which are important parts of my current profession… so perhaps I’d be working or studying something in that field.
Who inspires you and why?
I find Larry Moss to be incredibly inspiring on a creative level – and apart from that basically all the people I love inspire me no end.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Look, it’s always a tough argument to make without sounding self interested, but I’ve been saved and inspired so many times by every type of art in the world. So I guess I’m just trying to offer some of my own energy to that artistic matrix.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Honestly? Home to Perth and down to Cottesloe for a swim with friends.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
The Comedy, Fringe or Arts Festivals when they’re on… and usually to The Everleigh for a cocktail afterwards.
What are you currently reading?
The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman
What are you currently listening to?
I took a bit of a trip back to the 90s for a show recently, so a lot of Oasis and Blur!
Happiness is?
Sun, sand, good people and good food.
What does the future hold for you?
Health, happiness, and perspective, I hope.
Laura Maitland holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts from the University of Melbourne, and trained at the VCA in 2005. Before moving to Melbourne she worked with Shakespearience and The Big Hoohaa in Perth, and appeared as Medea at His Majesty’s Theatre. In 2006 she played Lady Macbeth in White Whale Theatre’s acclaimed production of Macbeth ReArisen, which toured to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Her theatre credits include leading roles in Melbourne productions of Attempts on Her Life, Melburnalia, Europe, Tabula Rasa, Rhinoceros, RSVP, Mirror, Mirror and Segue. She also voiced the title role in Claire Hooper’s radio comedy series I Love Lulu. In 2010 she appeared in Smudged as part of The Brisbane Festival, and in The Artisan Collective’s Sydney season of Breathe a Little and Call it Life.
Laura was invited to perform a guest role in Patricia Cornelius’ Taxi as part of the 2011 Big West Festival, and was part of the ongoing development and production of Shotgun Wedding, which premiered at the 2012 Next Wave Festival. She also appeared as Capulet and Romeo in Zoey Dawson’s celebrated all-female production of Romeo and Juliet.
In 2013 Laura had roles in The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Underbellly: Squizzy and Neighbours, and performed the role of Simone Chester in Yes, Prime Minister in Australia and New Zealand. Laura is a proud member of The Kin Collective, whose debut production Glimpse she directed at fortyfivedownstairs in 2012. Their most recent production was The Leenane Trilogy, in which she played Girleen in The Lonesome West.
Laura is performing in The Motion of Light in Water at Theatre Works (17 – 27 July). For more information, visit: www.theatreworks.org.au for details.
Image: Laura Maitland