10 Questions: An Interview with Rachel Rath
Today we interview Rachel Rath who is performing in Arnold T. Fanning’s play, Those Powerful Machines. This is a dark twisted tale about sex, power and semtex. Showing at The New Theatre in Dublin their show runs from the 8th to the 20th September at 7.30 pm nightly. Rachel plays the fragile Tracy, an English night-club hostess in the midst of the Irish terrorist underworld of London in the 1990’s. Rachel kindly agreed to be interviewed in between her busy acting schedule….
1. What inspired you to become a performer, writer, director?
I have always entertained from when I was a child. I wrote and performed my first play when I was 8. I didn’t recognise it as a profession until I was 20 and I’ve been acting, performing comedy, writing and directing ever since… I also fight with swords.
2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2008 Dublin Fringe Festival?
‘Those Powerful Machines’ is one of the most dangerous plays I have ever read. It is Sex, Power and Semtex all rolled into one. It’s a world premiere of an Arnold T Fanning play. I read it years ago and knew Trace was a character that would be extremely exciting and challenging to play. There is a really strong team both on and off the boards which means a lot.
‘War of the Roses’ is a spectacle show. This year I got hung, last year I was set on fire. We fight train together and so Paul Burke our Swordmaster knows how to utilise us in the right way. It’s a one night only event. The best thing is the audience reaction to the craziness!
3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
I love the freedom given to us by an audience to do what we want when performing. I will happily slap/kiss people in the audience if my character allows me too.
4. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
Dublin Fringe is the most intimate of festivals with a real community feel. There is a lot of quality shows to see and be part of. It pushes the boat out on new work, new wave and new talent.
5. What’s your best advice for aspiring performers in your theatrical medium?
Practice by performing then do work you think you would be proud of. Choose carefully and try everything.
6. Are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfill?
I have so many ideas for theatre shows. I haven’t performed in one of my own writings as of yet and so that might be the next step for me. They are ideas though so I need to work out how the concept will become reality and if it will be entertaining to an audience.
7. What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
Best advice I ever received was that performance is always about the other person in the scene. It gives me tremendous freedom not to focus on what I am doing but to concentrate on what I am doing to them.
8. What is the best book you have read and why do you like it?
Best book I read was ‘Actors Working’ by Clair Sinnet it has kept me working.
9. Who is the person you most admire and why?
Bruce Lee – He persevered through so much and never lost his integrity.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
Make art inclusive.
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You can check out more about Rachel the Irish Community of Actors, Directors, Writers and Producers at the The Attic Studio.
