Who is Paula Arundell?
Paula Arundell is an award-winning actor known for her roles in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Bleeding Tree, The Threepenny Opera, Antony and Cleopatra, Henry V and The Tempest, just to name a few…
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I would probably time manage a lot differently. I’m forever running out of the stuff. Never quite on top of prioritising things. I’d do better to make lists I think. I mean I’d also probably forget to look at said list but nevertheless.
Who inspires you and why?
There are two people actually but they are both fictional which suggests I’m a romantic … Sydney Carton from Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, and a woman whose name we never learn in a book called The Wall by Marlen Haushofer. Mr Carton because of his intellect courage and love, and the nameless woman in The Wall because upon waking one morning in the Austrian Alps she discovers she’s the last human on earth, her, a dog, two cats and a cow. How she navigates her new existence is at once exhilarating and tender.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Go to medical school.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I rarely take holidays. But I can tell you that I’m longing to go to Malta.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Ok so… if they arrive at the Sydney Airport what you want to do is blindfold them, drive to Manly then board a Ferry to Circular Quay. One of the best entrances to a harbour city you could imagine. And then a drink at Opera Bar and a show by Bangarra Dance Theatre inside the Sydney Opera House itself. And then Bronte Beach for a night swim in the rock enclosure.
What are you currently reading?
La Reine Margot by Alexander Pushkin.
What are you currently listening to?
Nirvana… Blew Live At The Paramount, Butthole Surfers and Blossom Dearie… in that order.
Happiness is?
Discovering new music.
What does the future hold for you?
My hand.
Paula stars as Woland in Belvoir’s production of The Master & Margarita from 11 November to 10 December 2023. For more information, visit: www.belvoir.com.au for details.
Image: Paula Arundell (supplied)