A Quick Chat With Erica Lovell

Erica Lovell has been appearing in Spring Awakening.


As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I went through the compulsory doctor phase, swiftly moved onto dreams of balletic stardom, and eventually settled on playing make-believe and telling stories instead.

Who is the most important person in the world to you?
My mum. And my cat comes a close second.

What animal best represents you and why?
Chameleon? I like to lie in the sun and pretend to be things I’m not.

If you were a contestant on Deal or No Deal, how much would you need to be on offer before you walked away?
I figure I came with nothing, right? So why not open every case?

What’s the worst date you’ve ever had?
I once suggested to my boyfriend that we go out for a nice dinner somewhere. He said, “Can’t we just have Easy Mac?” We’re not together anymore.

Windows or MAC?
Mac. I like shiny, pretty things.

Which Spice Girl was your favourite?
Ginger. I desperately wanted thick blonde streaks in my fringe. Mercifully, Mother wouldn’t allow it.

Who is the actor you would be most like to work alongside?
I always wanted to work with Sigrid Thornton because since I was 14 people have told me I look like her. Then I got cast as her daughter in A Little Night Music. Life is complete.

What five songs would be the first you put a mix tape?
Who am I making the mix-tape for? Hopefully not “All By Myself,” “I Will Always Love You,” or “Constant Craving.”

What is the best thing about theatre in Australia?
The passion and commitment of theatre makers. There is love behind every work.

What is the worst thing about theatre in Australia?
Its infrequency.

Favourite food?
Courgette flowers stuffed with cheese are pretty darn good.

What would you do if you found a wallet on the ground?
Honestly, I’d return it. Karma’s a cow.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I sold carpet cleaning over the phone for $10 an hour plus commission. I never made commission because I don’t give two hoots about carpet cleaning.

What’s the first website you visit when you come online?
… facebook…

Name one moment when you looked around, breathed happily and felt content
I went to the Dandenongs with a mate mid last year and we found this hidden meadow tucked into Australian bush. I was blanketed in forget-me-nots and fenced by ferns. It was MAGIC. Here there be fairies.

Red or white?
Wine? Red. Clothing? Red. Particularly if I’m drinking red, because if I’m wearing white, it will be a disaster.

Where is the most interesting place you have travelled?
In Victoria there is this incredible tree walk where you wander through the treetops, thirty metres up or so, on suspended bridges. Again, MAGIC.

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Cate Blanchett.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’m kind of scared to answer this question in case I’m not there, and then it’s in writing, and the whole world will point at me and laugh. With any luck, entering the real estate market. In London.

Erin James

Erin James is AussieTheatre.com's former Editor in Chief and a performer on both stage and screen. Credits include My Fair Lady, South Pacific and The King and I (Opera Australia), Love Never Dies and Cats (Really Useful Group), Blood Brothers (Enda Markey Presents), A Place To Call Home (Foxtel/Channel 7) and the feature film The Little Death (written and directed by Josh Lawson).

Erin James

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