Blessed by its mere location, close to the Pyrenees, Gloria McAleer Carreño’s new play Dreamlife is currently playing at Théâtre Tarbes from the 8th to 12th October. Intensely interested in the human condition and its paradoxes, Gloria skillfully crafts her characters and related concepts, avoiding the inevitable cynicism that develops, by embracing humour to tell her story. I am indeed fortunate that I managed to catch a quick interview with Gloria.
1. What inspired your passion for writing Plays?
I’ve always written, since the age of 5 I’m told. I love people. Humanity! Playwriting is all about encounters, mystery, communication. Hard to describe in a few words but I love it! The magic of live theatre. The cinema just doesn’t have the same presence for me.
2. What’s your new play about? And do you have any other plays in the pipeline?
Dreamlife is essentially a love story but it’s all about identity too. I write in French and in English and I have to say that speaking two languages is exciting! You’re never quite where people expect you to be and I think that gives an awareness of shifting points of view. Differences in culture lead us to being perceived very differently, which is a great subject for a play.
And do you have any other plays in the pipeline?
Well Clash of Wills is in the pipeline, and perhaps a two-hander spin-off. I’m desperate to get back to writing after 18 months on production for Dreamlife! I have other ideas for plays bouncing around in my head, but it’s too early to talk about them.
3. What are your funniest and worst experiences in the creative process of writing your plays?
Mmm. From recent history I think I’d have to tell you about Dreamlife, which I wrote while I had frozen shoulder and was in utter agony. I wrote Dreamlife standing up, with my left arm in a makeshift sling and writing with a well-sharpened pencil. The pain was horrendous but standing was interesting. I found myself more tempted than usual to act out the scenes I was writing…. I couldn’t even get clothes off and on without jamming sleeves in a handy door. Very funny…afterwards.
4. What’s your best advice for young aspiring playwrights out there?
Do it! Don’t shilly-shally! Go for it and do the best work you can.
5. What are your greatest achievements? And, are there any dreams or goals that you would like to fulfill?
I have very fond memories of playing goal defense on the Scottish Universities netball team! I’m not particularly tall and had to fight for my position on the team. Just shows how determination gives you wings. I was also pre-selected for the Scottish fencing team before the Edinburgh-based Commonwealth Games! That kind of memory keeps you sane when you’re wrestling with plot twists and characters who have a mind of their own.
Speaking of the present and the work I do now, every performance is an absolute thrill!
And, are there any dreams or goals that you would like to fulfill?
Professionally speaking, to continue exploring the medium of writing and to have my plays performed. I can’t say I have one goal because I’ve learned that doors open when you’ve paved the path towards them.
6. What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
The best advice I’ve ever been given was to go with my gut feeling and write. Judy Leather (playwright) believed in me and I’ll be forever grateful.
The worst advice I ever had, after sharing with someone the contents of a letter of refusal, was just to give up! I didn’t.. and the result is that this same play – Clash of Wills - is on stage with a cast of fabulous actors! Never give in to despondency, you have to persevere! It can be very hard at times but it’s all about work. It won’t happen without you.. YOU have to make it happen.
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why?
Wow! Thanks, Liz. Do you think they’ll come? Ok, Meryl Streep because she’s the most amazingly subtle and versatile actress I have ever seen. She doesn’t do much stage work but she used to, so …. she is definitely one of the three. The French playwright Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt (‘The visitor’, ‘The trial of Don Juan’ etc) has a busy schedule but I’m sure you could convince him. He’s a superbly intelligent writer with a great sense of humour. The Dalai Lama has far more important things to do but I’d still make a setting for him. Even in his absence he would be inspirational.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
Recently ‘Notes on a Scandal’ by Zoe Heller and ‘L’homme-thermomètre’ by Laurent Cohen. When I’m researching I tend to switch from French to English, fiction to science, even during the course of one day. Most invigorating and inspirational. In a different way I also very much admire Ian Rankin and J.K.Rowling! Vive l’Ecosse!
9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?
Gosh, that’s very personal. Do I have to? I can give you five unknown facts but I don’t know about them being interesting!
*I’m a rather noisy fan at basketball matches.
*I ‘pump iron’ at a gym almost every day.
*I travelled down Princes Street scantily dressed on the back of a coal lorry … for Edinburgh University’s charity week. I was part of a harem! I believe my ‘husband’s’ name was ‘Mustapha Go’!
* I can’t swim.
* My French husband is a great cook! So perhaps those guests WILL come….
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
I’d make people understand that giving is far more enriching than taking.
