Q&A with Madeleine Sami: The Charming New Zealander Dishes About Her Theatrical Debut and the Return of No. 2

By Jenna Livergant

Meet Madeleine Sami: she’s an actress, musician, and comedian who’s not only won international acclaim for her performances in TWO Toa Fraser plays –1998′s Bare and 1999′s one-woman spectacular No. 2 – she’s also been wowing audiences on-stage and off since her television debut in Shortland Street and Pio! at just 18 years old.

The New Zealand powerhouse took time to chat with me after her Edmonton premiere, where she shared some of her secrets to success – how she got her start, what she loves most about No. 2, and why she’s so excited to visit us at The Cultch!

Jenna: Today you’re a world-renowned actress, musician and comedian – how did you get your start in theatre?

Madeleine: After high school I thought I’d give myself a year off between doing university or something and I ended up being in a show called Bare and a year after that I did No. 2. And 12 years after that I’m still doing it! I mean, I was always in the theatre in high school as well, but that’s how I started out really.

J: How did you get cast for Bare?

M: I just auditioned for it – a friend of mine was doing the play and said you [should] go and just audition for it so I did and hey, Toa and I just sort of clicked and were the right sort of combo.

J: Do you think that prepared you for No. 2?

M: Nothing really prepared me for No. 2. And now, coming back to it as a 31 year old, it’s like, “Oh! The old body finds it really hard!” But it’s been a challenge and it’s been a joy, too. It’s really fun and it was really fun being in the show tonight – we had our first show tonight [in Edmonton] and it was a really sweet audience. Honestly, I can’t believe anyone came – I can’t believe anyone even leaves their houses – it’s so cold!

J: Well hopefully the weather is better for you in Vancouver!

M: Ya, I’m really looking forward to Vancouver! So many people and all of my friends and everyone tell me it’s a really cool city – I’m pretty excited! I can handle the snow, just so long as it doesn’t fall too far below zero…

J: So, besides the fact that you’re slightly older than you were in ’99, how would you say today’s performance differs from the original staging?

M: Now that I’ve done it probably over 300 times, I can have a little more fun with it. It’s in my body and in my brain and I get to play a lot more so it’s so much more enjoyable now than in the early days. Plus I’m so much older and I’ve got so much more experience under my belt.

J: What do you enjoy most about this play?

M: I think it’s the fact that you get to take the [No. 2] family all around the world – the joy for me now having done it so many times is taking it to new audiences and seeing what they bring to it. The first Canadian event was a good measure of what Canadians will be like – I hope! – and it was really warm. I feel like New Zealand and Canada are both humble nations, y’know; they both have a lot of similarities and commonalities – the people come from a similar place. And at the end of the day it’s a story about family. The thrill I get is watching people identify with the part they like most.

J: Would you say you have a favourite scene or character in No. 2?

M: Y’know, I don’t really. I enjoy the whole thing. I get excited sometimes like “Oh ya, that again!” and I get excited to see how the audience is going to react. I love playing the Nana – she’s the lead – she has a lot of fun. I’m really looking forward to playing it in Vancouver.

J: We’re really looking forward to having you in Vancouver!

Let’s just hope it doesn’t snow!

Toa Fraser’s No. 2, performed by its long running talented star, Madeleine Sami, runs January 31 – February 4, 2012. Tickets start at $16 and are available online at tickets.thecultch.com, by phone at 604.251.1363 and in person at 1895 Venables Street.