A Quick Chat With Natalie Gamsu

Natalie Gamsu is appearing at Bar Me in Sydney in March.

Natalie Gamsu is appearing at Bar Me in Sydney in March.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a person not living in the desert of Namibia. I wanted to be someone in a big city – on a big stage – with music and energy and life all around me.

Who is the most important person in the world to you?
Me – oops sorry I meant my husband

What animal best represents you and why?
A Zebra. Sort of like something you recognize – almost like a horse – but not quite – because of these weird and exotic stripes.

If you were a contestant on Deal or No Deal, how much would you need to be on offer before you walked away?
Oo no – I’m getting anxious even thinking about it

What’s the worst date you’ve ever had?
A man who spent the date telling me about the boils on his bum!

Windows or MAC?
Oh MAC – absolutely!!!!

Which Spice Girl was your favourite?
Pardon?

Who is the actor you would be most like to work alongside?
At the moment – IOTA

What five songs would be the first you put a mix tape?
Besame – Cesaria Evora
Come A Little Closer – Shirley Horne
Blue Valentines – Tom Waites
1000 Beautiful Things – Annie Lennox
Gracias A La Vida – Mercedes Sosa

What is the best thing about theatre in Australia?
Barry Kosky – when he’s here – and the rebirth of cabaret in Sydney (and hello – so many incredible cabaret performers!)

What is the worst thing about theatre in Australia?
I’m barely in it! No really, I hate that theatre is the second cousin to cricket and rugby.

Favourite food?
Impossible! I’m a foody – at the moment it’s curries (I’ve just been to India). I’m very partial to Iku – brown rice, tofu, hummus – okay okay – I know…..

What would you do if you found a wallet on the ground?
I would hand it in or call the person – after I’d paid the band for the show at Bar Me.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Working in a lift in a theatre on Broadway in NY, with people saying “you’ve got such a lovely voice, you should be on stage!” Talk about feeling like a misfit!

What’s the first website you visit when you come online?
I wish I could say something intelligent like “oh the financial review of course” – but truthfully – it’s facebook

Name one moment when you looked around, breathed happily and felt content
On the beach with 2000 people from Tamil Nadu in Tranquebar in India during Pongal festival

Red or white?
Red

Where is the most interesting place you have travelled?
Barcelona. I think I was a flamenco dancer in my last life. But then there is India……..

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Al Pacino – I was working at Café Un Deux Trois in NY and he called me over to ask me why there was a treasure map in his salad (the newspaper that the lettuce had been wrapped in – soggy at the bottom of the plate!!!). Amanda McBroom – I met her in the cabaret world – she became a mate. Cate Blanchett during Women Of Troy at the STC.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
In a size 8 bikini!! I believe in putting it out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sigh!