AINSLEY MELHAM

The theatre star is currently playing Prince Topher in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

What three things would be at the top of your bucket list?

Walk across Spain, visit the home towns of my grandparents in Lebanon and Italy, and eat my way through Japan.

What is your guilty pleasure in life?

Food. Love everything about the ceremony of coming together to enjoy a meal, especially the way it creates community.

What was your first casual job?

I worked as a clerk at a newsagent. I will never forget the feeling of ink on my hands after handling all the newspapers.

What was the first place you visited overseas?

Singapore. I remember being enamoured by the joyous spirit of the people. The city is also a mecca of good food and cultural fusion.

Favourite movie?

Death Becomes Her. It’s deliciously moody and camp. Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Isabella Rossellini … I mean c’mon, what more could you want?

Favourite book?

There is a beautiful little novella written by Yoko Tawada called The Last Children of Tokyo. The writing is very moving in an unassuming way. And the ending … I won’t spoil it, but I love hearing how each new reader interprets it.

What is your most memorable moment with a fan?

I was at the top of the Eiffel Tower, and doing my best to stay far from the edge, when a lovely fan came over and mentioned she had seen me perform back in Oz. We chatted for a while, which distracted me from the fact we were up so high and I actually enjoyed the view.

Favourite music artist?

Janelle Monae. She is a storyteller, in a major way, and her music is very cinematic.

If you had a super power, what would it be?

Teleportation. Easily. I love to travel and I would be thrilled to cut out the plane time. There is so much to see in the world, and so little time to see it.

If you could go back in time for a day, what date would you go back to and why?

I would travel back to the day my grandparents arrived in this country from Lebanon. I would be fascinated to meet them at such a transformative moment in their lives.

Cinderella is currently playing in Brisbane (QPAC) before the production heads to Sydney (Lyric Theatre) in October