| MICHELLE BLUNDELL - holding the man |
| Written by Olive Ann Walden |
| Monday, 10 August 2009 10:08 |
 ‘HOLDING THE MAN’ tells the true story of Tim Conigrave and his life-long love, John Caleo. After meeting at their Melbourne school in the mid-1970's, they shared a colourful relationship filled to the brim with joy. Fast-forward to 1980, and the AIDS epidemic has hit Australia... Spanning the 70’s and 80’s, ‘Holding The Man’ promises to overflow with emotion, laughter, love, loss, disco music, puppets, and MO-ustaches! Coup De Main spoke to Michelle Blundell, who plays seven of the 52(!) supporting characters in ‘Holding The Man’. "After attempts at practical career choices that made me miserable... inevitably, I have learnt you have to trust your instincts and do what makes you happy."
CDM: When did you get your first taste of performing? What did it taste like? MICHELLE BLUNDELL: In primary school, my friend and I used to make soap operas and film them with her family camcorder. We’d force her little brother to hold our lines on cue cards and play the patient in a coma. It tasted like cupcakes! Sweet, delicious, addictive... with cravings for more, following for days afterwards. CDM: How difficult has it been to get to where you are? MB: The biggest difficulty has been having the courage to do what I’ve always dreamt of doing. After attempts at practical career choices that made me miserable... inevitably, I have learnt you have to trust your instincts and do what makes you happy. CDM: If you could play any cartoon character in a real-life movie of the cartoon, who would you be and why? MB: Penelope Pitstop in 'The Perils of Penelope Pitstop'. With her can-do attitude, feminine wiles, killer outfits and sweet ride (the Compact Pussycat fully equipped with grooming facilities), playing Penelope would be totally radical. CDM: Do you prefer acting on film, or on stage? MB: I really enjoy both, so it’s pretty impossible to choose one over the other. Both mediums offer very different challenges and rewards. CDM: What are your future acting ambitions? MB: Act. Till. Death.  CDM: What one all-encompassing word would aptly describe: - Yourself as an actor? MB: Employable. - Theatre in Auckland? MB: Evolving. - Timothy Conigrave? MB: Adventurous. - Making ‘Holding The Man’? MB: Brilliant. CDM: How many characters in ‘Holding The Man’ do you play? Any favourites? Why? MB: Seven. At the moment my favourites are Tim’s precocious and loyal friend Phoebe, and Eric, a shy and hormonal schoolboy. They are a hell of a lot of fun to play. CDM: How would you describe ‘Holding The Man’? - An astute and timely reminder of the harsh reality of HIV? - A warm memoir of Timothy Conigrave? - A moving, emotive love story? - A comedic celebration of life in the 70’s and 80’s? MB: All of the above. CDM: What differentiates ‘Holding The Man’ from other stories of love and loss, HIV, homosexuality, and the film ‘Milk’? MB: 'Holding The Man' is a celebration of life - a story of two people in love, rather than a socio-political biopic. Tim & John’s relationship allows the audience to reflect on their own memories of the people they have loved and lost. CDM: What does ‘Holding The Man’ say to its audience? MB: I hope it says; don’t take the people who love you for granted. Perhaps there's a little something regarding fashion crimes in the 80’s too. Come see it and decide for yourself x 'HOLDING THE MAN' plays
August 7 – 29 Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE® Tickets: $20.00 - $39.00 [ service fees will apply ] Book now through THE EDGE® - www.the-edge.co.nz or 09 357 3355  [photo credit: Michelle Hyslop ] |
