MAGGIE MCKENNA ‘I’M A LONER LIKE MURIEL’
Maggie Mckenna is playing Muriel Heslop on stage. Here, the 21-year-old daughter of
Kath & Kim’s Gina Riley tells all about her breakout role…
What’s your earliest memory of watching Muriel’s Wedding?
At my grandma’s house, when I was about four years old. Muriel will always be my favourite character because she is truly unique – she does terrible things, but she’s not a terrible person.
How do you relate to her?
I’m very awkward and goofy and I felt like a loner growing up. I also had a group of mean girls I looked up to, just like Muriel does.
Tell us about opening night...
It was the most incredible experience. I felt truly alive and fulfilled. I felt, like, a truly special moment in time between the cast, crew and audience.
Rachel Griffiths even visited!
It was amazing, I was definitely starstruck. She was so supportive of the show and it felt very special meeting her.
How demanding is the role?
I never really leave the stage, and when I do I’m in a quick change, so it takes a lot of stamina. To stay healthy I have to live like a hermit!
What was it like growing up in the spotlight? [Mum Gina plays Kim in Kath & Kim and dad Rick is a TV producer.]
When I was a lot younger, it was sometimes a little hard to understand why my mum was showing her G-string on TV. As I grew up though, I became very proud to be her daughter. MURIEL’S WEDDING: THE MUSICAL Until January 27, 2018. sydneytheatre.com.au