In our profile series, Tell Us In Ten, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions. From how they got their start in the industry to their favourite shows, we want to know everything.
This time we’re chatting to Katharine Arnold, one third of Three Legged Race Productions – A circus company, all of whom are Directors and Artists which create shows and also perform in them. Katharine is currently working on, and will be starring in Sophie’s Surprise Christmas Party – an immersive, high-energy circus, comedy, and cabaret show playing at Underbelly Boulevard.
1) My route into theatre was…
Destined! I’ve been obsessed with the arts for my whole life. I started ballet at the age of 3 – I was a classic dance and musical theatre kid, I asked for a tutu for every birthday from about age 4 until 14 and was pretty decided on some form of theatre as a career from a young age. I did a Performing Arts degree majoring in theatre, got heavily into physical theatre (Artaud, DV8, Complicité and all those amazing companies who seemed to be around then) but then accidentally fell in love with the circus, specifically trapeze at that point, whilst training it as a side quest. I started working with a flying trapeze company and it snowballed from there (Xmas pun intended) and I’ve been working in the circus arts ever since.
2) The thing I love most about my job is…
That I get to do it! And that I’ve been able to sustain it as my career for more than two decades – I am incredibly grateful for the amazing jobs I’ve had all over the world. I have met the most amazing people, many of whom are now my best friends, and touring especially creates connections that I think many careers don’t offer in the same way. I love the places I get to go to, the variety of the work, the autonomy, the creativity, the silliness, the beauty, the satisfying physical demands….I could go on.
3) My favourite show from present or past (that isn’t one I have worked on) is…
That’s hard, I have so many. I absolutely love watching other shows, from all genres. James Thierree’s Au Revoir Parapluie opened my eyes to the possibility of what can happen on a stage, and inspired me to get better at rope. Cirque Aital’s Saison De Cirque is one of the most beautiful and inventive shows I can remember. Hofesh Shechter always makes incredible work which is visceral and moving. And more recently Crybabies – The Scaring at Edinburgh Fringe was hilarious and the writing was genius, and I really do love a show which can make me laugh out loud.
4) A misconception about my job is…
That it’s all glamour and performing and parties. A lot of it is sitting on a laptop, doing admin and writing. Tax waivers, risk assessments, sticking tiny little annoying crystal stones onto costumes and then wondering why your hands are covered in glue, wondering how much Tiger Balm is too much Tiger Balm, etc…
5) The hardest part about my job is…
Honestly without sounding too cheesy I don’t mind the hard bits, because I feel very lucky to have this as my chosen career. Sometimes having to do a show when your body hurts or you’re sick feels hard, but I would take that over a job I don’t love any day of the week.
6) The career moment I’m most proud of is…
This is also difficult to answer, there have been a few! Perhaps most recently it’s seeing our Christmas show poster image up on the big screen in the middle of Leicester Square, which is surreal. And every time we get a standing ovation for the show we made ourselves from scratch I feel proud of our little company. I’ve been very lucky to have some amazing career experiences – performing in the Sydney Opera House, at the London 2012 Olympics, on a stadium tour with Take That, in Madison Square Gardens with Cirque Du Soleil – the list goes on and I appreciate it all!
7) On my days off I like to…
What is a day off please? Answers on a postcard (they’re the things I hear people send from something called “a holiday”).
8) My daily work rituals include…
A very specific warming up sequence, and a good roll on a physio ball. Nathan, one of the other company Directors and I can only go out for our pre show animation on an odd number (don’t ask). A good amount of lotus biscoff must be ingested on a show day. Lots of water, lots of rosin (the sticky stuff we use for grip) and a mental reminder to myself to stay super focused before I step onto a stage.
9) My inspiration is…
All my fellow artists, my company co-directors, shows I see, music I hear, films I watch, books I read, anything and everything! I am an avid devourer of stories and music and art and I think inspiration can be found almost anywhere.
10) The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Don’t be sh*t.
Get your tickets to see Katharine in Sophie’s Surprise Christmas Party at Underbelly Boulevard below!
