|
Following for passion, she graduated from the Australian Film
and Television School in 1996 and played her first theatre role
in 1997 as Mae, sister-in-law to Maggie the Catin Tennesee
William’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Pauline's television
work in the late 1990s included the short film, Academy,
a tele-movie as well as commercial work on the Gold Coast.
Theatre is Pauline’s first love. “I
like the interaction of the audience. It is different from
television where you have to get it right the first time”. She
hopes that one day she will “just once” do professional theatre
with the Queensland Theatre Company.
One of
Pauline’s favourite acting roles was in Shakespeare’s
lesser known comedies, 'Measure for Measure' in 1997,
produced by Trocadero Productions, where she played the Madame
of a whore house named 'Mistress Overdone'. “It was a small
role, but I loved every minute of it... I would never do nude,
never, but I actually had to get down to stockings and all that
sort of thing. I’m not into that of course but I did not feel
bad at all. To my surprise I really enjoyed it and the cast was
really great as well.”
Pauline is adept in mimicking accents following training
with a dialect coach. These skills have been highlighted in
stage reviews. “They were really impressed with my accents
and dialect work...I have a natural ability to pick up on
accents. I just have to listen and I'm lucky to have what
you call a ‘good ear’ to be able to hear the accent and then
mimic it. Some people have it and some people don’t.” Her
performance as a Jamaican slave named 'Tituba', Harvest
Rain’s Production of Arthur Miller’s The
Crucible
demonstrated this skill.
Pauline admires the acting skills of Kate Blanchett. “She is one of
Australia’s success stories...I really like her… she is a
character actor. She believes in the transformation. Pauline
says, “When they look at you on stage they don’t see you but the
character you are acting...The biggest compliment for me is when
I come off stage and people who have just seen me perform do not
recognise me, as me. So for me the job has been successfully
done.” Pauline also admires Jodie Foster and Aussie actor,
Namoi Watts for her tenacity and for never giving up.
Pauline feels that it appears that actors are “resurrected from the
tomb”. She questions why others are not given a chance, “instead
of rehashing the same performers”. She believes that the
Industry should give two or three up-and-coming young artists a
chance, rather than rehashing the “same old, same old”. Pauline
understands the need for “getting bums on seats” and the concern
that the public might not attend productions with lessor known
actors. “The Industry should just take a chance, for there are
many people tired of not getting noticed. I’m one of them,”
(she says, laughing).
Pauline is realist and enjoys her day job. She has made a firm
commitment “to not starve for her art”. For Pauline, if her
home life is not secure and stable, enabling her to pay her
bills, the pressure, “would spill over” and she “would not be
able to focus.” This does not detract from her passion for
acting. “I put everything I have into it when I act. I would
love the opportunity to be a professional actor….but probably
why I don’t do it for a living is because of the Industry…..and
because I put so much emotion into a performance. When I finish
a show I am absolutely wrecked, exhausted emotionally. So that
is not a good thing because you should be able to turn it on and
turn it off, which I can do sometimes. But a couple of times
I’ve actually been a bit naughty and have pushed myself a little
too hard, and beat myself up about it.”
“I realise that for me acting is an outlet. I like affecting
people and telling them stories... Changing my appearance, away
from who I am, is a challenge for me. A deep amount of
emotional ability is required and I have more of that than the
average person, I think. Acting is a great outlet to channel
that sort of energy, and it keeps me very grounded. I do have a
day job but acting is my other life so I’m getting the best of
both worlds.”
This balanced approach to work and acting hasn’t hindered her
recognition in the arts. Pauline was nominated twice for 'Best
Actress', 2002 at The Perform/4MBS Awards for her role as Annie
in ' Alan Ayckbourn's The Norman Conquests' and as 'Mary
Haines' in Clair Booth Luce's The Women. Both
performances were produced by ‘Mixed Company’. Other
productions she has acted in include Little Women and
Steel Magnolias.
We look forward to seeing more roles interpreted by this talented
artist.
Pauline supports any
research in finding a cure for AIDS.
“I am two hundred per cent behind it. Someone close to me has
suffered from the disease (HIV) and I am very supportive about
any research and anything that would assist in finding a cure.”
Article and photos by Chrissy Layton - AusNotebook
Music & Creative
(Revised 20/5/07)
Associated articles:
Little Women
Steel Magnolias
Click
TOP to get to top of page |
