Crooked counsellor to disrupt the rhythm
Tonight television Gabriella Cirillo gets to have the best of both worlds as an actress and casting director. And she joins ‘Rhythm City’ in a meaty role as a lawyer, writes
GABRIELLA Cirillo has a foothold in both the acting and casting worlds of the entertainment industry. And she positively loves it. In a chat with she spoke about bagging the role of Flavia in e.tv’s Rhythm City, being a casting director (she runs The Casting Couch with friend and business partner, Petro Magos) as well as a mum.
Aside from doing numerous TV commercials, she has bagged roles on Egoli, The Lab, Wild at Heart, Shogun Khumalo is Dying, The Adventures of Sinbad, Black Velvet Band and Straight Outta Benoni.
A Performing Arts and Drama graduate from Pretoria Technikon, she enjoys the flexibility of her brief acting gigs as it gives the her time to run her business and also ensures she fulfils her passion of being in front of the camera.
She offers: “I’m a casting director and
Tonight,
single mom of three little girls. I have always been in the industry – I have done a lot of commercials.”
On her return to the small screen, Cirillo says: “Well, my agent set it up. At the time, the character was so in line with what I had just experienced with my divorce. She is talking the language, I feel. She’s so exciting.”
Shedding light on her character, she offers: “She is a lawyer. She is very devious. She never loses and will go to any means to win.”
Of course, as with the soapie style of storytelling, her cunning side will be unveiled over time.
As for the characters that pique her interest, she reveals: “Um, it’s difficult to say. A lot of the time, I’m typecast as the vixen. I play a lot of strong women. In Egoli I played Sabina, who was this con artist and thief. She sword fights. I get roles like that.”
Like any actress worth her mettle, Cirillo is keen to explore characters that challenge her.
In Rhythm City most of her scenes are with Jamie Bartlett, who plays David Genaro.
She reveals: “I’ve known him for years. It’s a laugh-aminute. Jamie is part of the furniture at Rhythm City. I would say: ‘Jamie, I’m not too sure about this line’. And he would advise me: ‘Adjust your body position a little bit’. He’s so aware of his surroundings and is a very giving actor. He is also a lot of fun and one of the doyens in the industry.”
On working with such a powerhouse actor, she adds: “I’m also old-school. I like doing my homework.”
As for how she is finding her new surroundings, she shares: “Rhythm City runs like a very well-oiled machine with everyone from make-up, wardrobe to camera. And everyone is just so incredibly friendly and helpful. It’s so easy to walk into a situation like that and fit in. There’s mutual respect among all of them.”
Cirillo is also impressed by some of her co-stars.
She offers: “Mduduzi Mabaso, who plays Suffocate. I have worked with Nolo Phiri, who plays Nikki. And recently, I worked with Thembi Seete, who plays Bongi Diamond. They are all so committed to their scenes.”
Reflecting on her career, Cirillo notes: “I’m 41 years old. I’ve been very blessed in this industry. I have done a few international projects. I’m very happy with where I am. I’m also a mum. I think it is a case of taking things in your stride and seeing what the next step is.”
Given her demanding schedule, she doesn’t have much free time.
She laughs: “Spare time is foreign to me. Every second weekend my girls go to their father. Nine out of 10 times, the ability to sleep in is so welcome.”
On how long we will get to see her character on screen, she hints: “They have written an arc, which will carry over till the beginning of the new year. Hopefully, they like her and she will carry on.”
And Flavia is going to turn up the heat. Expect tension, laughter and deception...
Rhythm City, e.tv, 7pm, weekdays.