A Quick Chat With Sarah-Louise Young

Cabaret Whore Sarah-Louise Young
Sarah-Louise Young in Cabaret Whore

British actress, singer and comedienne Sarah-Louise Young is currently in Australia to perform her show Cabaret Whore, presented by Luckiest Productions and Seabright Productions.

Featuring original songs and desperate divas from around the globe, Cabaret Whore has been described as “intelligent and unforgettable comedy”, winning Young a Spirit of the Fringe and Three Weeks Editors Awards.

Sarah-Louise has played sell-out runs at Edinburgh Fringe, Soho Theatre, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Café de Paris and the Pigalle Club.

We caught up with Sarah-Louise to ask her our 20 Questions…

1. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A missionary or a drain cleaner

2. Who is the most important person in the world to you?
Whoever is pouring the drinks

3. What animal best represents you and why?
An orangutan – hairy and playful

4. If you were a contestant on Deal or No Deal, how much would you need to be on offer before you walked away?
Can I phone a friend?

5. What was the first piece of theatre/film/TV you ever appeared in and how old were you?
I was The Cat in a school show when I was 5 years old. It was a featured part with solo lines but I was miserable because what I really wanted was to be a fairy, like all the other girls.  I didn’t want to stick out. Funny how things change!

6. Windows or MAC?
MAC. I have finally given in to the lure of the iPad. So shiny, so new…

7. Favourite food?
Fish all the way, so I’m very excited about Australian food.  Your national dish is sushi, right?

8. Who is the actor you would most like to work alongside?
William H Macy for acting.  I’d love to work with your lovely Tim Minchin on some music one day. If you’re reading this Tim…

9. What would be the first five songs you put a mix tape?

Oh, that’s tough.  Depends on the recipient. If I were compiling miserable songs to slit your wrists to, I’d choose:

Case of You by Joni Mitchell (a relatively happy song for her)

Bargain Store by the incredible Dolly Parton

Crying by the first singer I ever heard – Bob Dylan

Almost There by the delicious Tom Baxter

BMFA by the inimitable Martha Wainwright (great for singing along to loudly when angry. I doubt you are allowed to print the full title. God I feel sad now)

10. What is the best thing about theatre in Australia?

The cabaret and circus I’ve seen is so bold, dangerous and playful. I love it. Maybe it’s the climate, maybe it’s the available funding but you have some great stuff here. I worked with Circus Trick Tease in Edinburgh and met the Briefs boys. They’re fab and so positive.

11. What’s the worst thing about theatre in Australia?
I’ve yet to see anything I don’t like but I shall make it my mission to do so now. Any suggestions?

12. Name one moment when you looked around, breathed happily and felt content.
Just now, on the plane as I write this.  Travelling always scares me, makes me come back to the moment and take stock.  I give thanks regularly.

13. Where is the most interesting place you have travelled?
Poland before it became part of the EU was a fascinating experience. I have fallen in love with New York but as my friend Gaby says I’m married to London; Paris and New York are my lovers.

14. Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
I turned down meeting the Queen when I was ten years old but recently got to meet cabaret royalty after Patti LuPone’s show at Below 54 in New York. She is an awesome talent.

15. Most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Oddly, it was during a bit of audience participation early on in my career. My friend suggested her mate as an ideal candidate but unfortunately he fancied himself as a bit of a performer so instead of playing ball, he slapped me on the bottom. I was mortified so I grabbed him by the neck and held a blunted knife to his throat. He was perfectly safe but the joke was lost.  After that, I never took advice on who to pick again. I trust my own judgment.

16. What’s your life motto?
Observe yourself and others without judgment. You are a work in progress.

17. What’s your favourite post-show snack?
Banana and a pint

18. What’s your biggest phobia?
Losing my memory

19. What is the worst date you’ve ever had?
Mono brow blind date set up by a misguided friend. It was a long day.

20. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still seeking new challenges, working hard and appreciating my wonderful friends – whether they are pouring the drinks or not.

Sarah-Louise will be performing her show Cabaret Whore in Sydney and Melbourne this month. 

Slide, Sydney, 41 Oxford Street

Sunday 17th June at 9.00pm
Tickets:  $40.00  Bookings (02) 8915-1899 or slide.com.au

Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran

Friday 22 June – Sunday 24 June at 9.00pm

Tickets:  $40.00 ($35.00 conc).  Bookings (03) 8290-7000 or chapeloffchapel.com.au

 

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *