INTERVIEW: ALICE BIRD on her show UNHOOKED at Etcetera Theatre 18 – 23 April 2022

Actress Alice Bird has won three best actress awards for lead roles in independent feature films. But did you know that she is the face of Febreeze Fresh (advert), Nicky in Banged Up Abroad (tv) Miss Julie in Miss Julie (theatre) and she is also a poet?   UNHOOKED is an intimate sharing of poems from her book.

LPT:  Alice, we feel rather privileged that you will be bringing your impressive talents to Etcetera theatre in Camden. Do you have a connection to the theatre? 

Alice Bird: I’m born and bred in London and have always enjoyed coming to the Etcetera. I missed out on an opportunity to perform here a few years ago - they say things come full circle :) 


LPT: Etcetera Theatre has been home to hundreds of emerging theatre artists, but you are already hugely successful as an actress. What has driven you to bring your dramatic skills to this poetry sharing?

AB: I’ve found myself with a book of poetry on my hands… I think the poems have more life when they’re performed and I can’t think of a more perfect venue to share my work - it’s so focussed and well designed, I love it here! 

 


Alice Bird winning Best Actress Award for A Reason to Leave

As a prolific actress, has your career to date had an influence on your work as a poet?   

Heartbreak was initially my strongest drive to write. With the evolution of life, I’ve experimented with writing from places other than the hell realms and I like it. 


Through your work you must be very conscious of rhythm, is this something that is important in your work?

Funnily enough the last poem I wrote is called Rhythms. I love dance and playing with pace, flow and rhythm with words. My brother is a drummer - so maybe it’s in the blood!


What has been your favourite role to date?

Maybe a silly answer but the role of learning to be a human has been my greatest (and ongoing) challenge. The people I’ve played have helped me experience life through different lenses and access different aspects of myself. It’s hard to pick a favourite character but I have to say I’ve enjoyed my time with ol’ Shakespeare.  CONT.


Alice Bird playing the role of Miss Julie in August Strindberg's Miss Julie 


Alice Bird in her film, I'm in the Corner with the Bluebells, which was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

LPT: Has working as an actress or writing poetry taught you something about yourself that surprised you? 

AB: Yes, I’m surprised that I now seem to be a writer. That was unintentional! Acting is like a never-ending cavern of surprises and discoveries - I wish it to keep unfurling. 


Could you tell us some of the background to the poems you will be presenting?

During lockdown I journeyed inside myself… into the crevices… on my way out I responded to poem titles. What came out was a jumble of raw, whimsical and intimate words. It’s me finding my feet, discovering who I am as a white woman in London and a human on a planet in need of attention. 


What can we expect of the staging, sound, lighting or props and how do you hope they will help to captivate audiences?

Err I’m hoping the poetry will do most of the work. I’ll probably use a chair… no money back for an absence of bells and whistles! 


Could you give us a few lines of your poetry that is especially heartfelt and explain why it means so much to you? 

Thank you for the opportunity - I’m tentative because I’d rather save that for the show. 

I will share the opening of this poem:


Not Knowing

Hello you

You who is me

That part who 

I now see

Hello friends 

Of parts

Who bend

As is your art

Hello me 

Who I can’t see

Can I be? 

Or call I, “we”?

Confusing

They say confused 

Isn’t a feeling

Some say it’s used

That’s confusing

Or is that a projection?

A musing…  


Finally, what are you most looking forward to sharing with audiences?

My inner child. We’ve been getting ever more acquainted, and she is such an accomplice now. I’m really looking forward to us venturing out together. 


UNHOOKED

18 - 23 April 2022 7:00pm - 8:00pm

 

Etcetera Theatre Club

265 Camden High Street, 

Above the Oxford Arms, 

London, NW1 7BU

BOX OFFICE


INFORMATION

An intimate sharing of the deeply personal inner landscape of a woman in various states of unhook.


Following her one woman show all the psychos I’ve met (including myself) Alice Bird is publishing a book of poetry which charts the evolution of her tribulations.


Alice has won three best actress awards for lead roles in independent feature films.



Her book UNHOOKED will be available to buy. 

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