A Quick Chat With Erin Cornell

Erin Cornell is currently appearing in Wicked in Japan.

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

When i was little my nan was in The Sweet Adelines Barber shop group. I always dreamed when i was older i would join and become a sweet Adeline. I loved the sound, glitz and glamour! As i got older i then realised I wanted solo’s and my Sweet Adeline career never happened. Also if the performing thing never worked out i always wanted to be an astronaut!

Who is the most important person in the world to you?
My Mum. I am a only child (all makes sense to you now doesn’t it) and she was a single parent when i was growing up. She is my best friend. I tell her everything. We just love each other unconditionally. Bless you Mumma!

What animal best represents you and why?
Mmmm i just asked some casts members from Wicked as well and we have all agreed on a lizard. I skatter around alot and have a large mouth. I do a killer impersonation of one as well! It’s my party piece! That and Liza come out to play after a few drinkies!

If you were a contestant on Deal or No Deal, how much would you need to be on offer before you walked away?
Wow i have never watched this show.. I know don’t judge me!

What’s the worst date you’ve ever had?
The one when my boyfriend at the time broke up with me over Pumpkin and fetta pizza at Blue train Cafe. Poor thing though he went a shade of green and then came out with it. I then walked to tap class after crying. TRAGIC!

Windows or MAC?
IM A MAC HEAD! Im a little crushed as i had my Black beautiful Mac book stolen. Then my cute little silver note book Mac was smashed and twisted as it got caught in my vacume chord when i was vacuming. So i now have Mum’s Sony laptop it’s pretty and red but just not the same!

Which Spice Girl was your favourite?
Ginger Spice! Loved her! I dyed my hair red to be like Geri and loved reading her Bio when she left the group..Oh the controversy!

Who is the actor you would be most like to work alongside?
Hugh Jackman, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and Geffrey Rush

What five songs would be the first you put a mix tape?
Ok well i just baught a new shuffle and have done exactly this! Let’s see what my first choices were?…. Earth Song- Michael Jackson, Love Again- Rogue Traders, Open your heart- Madonna, Heaven On their minds- John Stevens JC Superstar, Cruise Control- Headless Chickens.

What is the best thing about theatre in Australia?
The talent we have. We are such hard, reliable workers.

What is the worst thing about theatre in Australia?
For me their isn’t enough shows at the moment that suits my genre.. hence I have to go overseas for work when i would much rather do it in my hometown showing my family. We need to nurture our beautiful writers and creators a bit more as well. Let’s get more Aussie Musicals produced on a larger scale please!

Favourite food?
Mexican. Only at a restaurant in Japan called Al Ponchoes..To die for!

What would you do if you found a wallet on the ground?
I would hand it in to the police. I believe in Karma way to much!

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
A retail job i had just recently. The boss was on a power trip and i couldn’t be with his energy. I quit after two shifts.

What’s the first website you visit when you come online?
Shamelessly Facebook. I am a facebook nerd! I told people at work today i caught myself last night just repeatedly clicking on the news feed section. Shameful!

Name one moment when you looked around, breathed happily and felt content?
Last week on my days off from shows i went to the Mino Falls in Osaka. When we reached the top of the mountain where the water fall is i looked around, breathed happily and felt content..Beautiful and peaceful!

Red or white?
Red

Where is the most interesting place you have travelled?
Koyasan a little town in the mountains of Osaka. It’s where the Monks go to train and live. You walk down the street and there is Temple after Temple like houses. We stayed the night and got up at 5am and preyed with the Monks. It was a very emotional experience. At Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner time a chime sound goes across the whole town to tell you the monks and Budah gods are eating. It’s quite amazing

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Hugh Jackman, Chita Raviera and Faith Prince are pretty up there for me.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
A successful Television and Theatre Performer. Yes i want to travel but ultimately i want do it all in my home country to share it with my family. I will have found Mr Right by then, Married and maybe popped one out as well

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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