Stuart Devenie

actor, director

The most irritating question to be asked, as an actor is “What is your favourite role?” Every role is interesting and demanding in different ways. The most extraordinary question was during an interview when I was playing Frankenfurter, the transvestite alien in The Rocky Horror Show. I had recently played [the lead in] Uncle Vanya, [about] a 19th century Russian landowner. The interviewer asked me what similarities I found in the two characters. I was unable to answer.

Off stage, I used to be quite apprehensive in groups of more than 5 or 6, but my work has taught me to be more relaxed and open to both individuals and large groups. I think presenting so many different aspects of life on the stage in front of, sometimes, thousands of people, everything from being naked to dancing around in fishnets, makes one’s own life a little less extraordinary.

I need around me and beside me a supportive and loving group of friends and family, which fortunately I have.

It might surprise people to know that I’m a trainee volunteer for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in Mangere. Demanding and rewarding. Doing things like this keeps you grounded and focused on the realities of life — an important thing for those of us spending a lot of time in the imaginary realms.

Directing young people helps keep your perspective on the world from becoming rigid and crusty. Respecting their experience and understanding and really listening to what they have to say. Giving them the space to explore their ideas and responses and using my experience and technique to help shape them theatrically.

I laugh very frequently during any day. I have a notebook called “The Daily Lunacy” in which I write down anything that makes me laugh. It’s quite full. One recent entry was taken from a recent radio interview in which a second language speaker told the interviewer he was, “barking up the wrong dog”.

My views on “fame” haven’t changed that much over my years in the business. My focus has always been on doing the work, which is far more interesting than being photographed at “events”. I think that the view of “fame” presented by the media has changed over the years so that it becomes an end in itself rather than a by-product of what one does.

If there is one playwright I could meet it would be absolutely Shakespeare. Mainly because he represents the very beginning of modern English theatre. There were no rules but a lot of political pressures. So many questions.

I don’t have regular idle moments because, as a freelancer, my timetable is too erratic and unpredictable, so I’m pleased when they come along.