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Philip Quast plays Antonio in The Merchant of Venice and Trigorin in The Seagull at the Chichester Festival Theatre this month. Philip has extensive credits for theatre, television and film and won Olivier Awards for his appearances in Sunday in the Park with George at the National Theatre, The Fix and South Pacific
Q: What interested you about the plays you're in this month?
A: The Directors - Steven Pimlott for The Seagull and Gale Edwards for The Merchant of Venice. I'd worked with Gale many times before, mainly in Australia which is where we are both from, and with Steven only once before(*), and jumped at the chance to work with them both again. I was offered two great parts and the new regime at the theatre was really intriguing with the choice of plays. Another factor was the chance to spend a fantastic summer holiday with all of my family!
Q: Most memorable day out in the last year?
A: My father's 70th birthday back home in Australia. I went back to the family farm near Tamworth, New South Wales. Another reason why it was so special was that I was also there to do Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?. The opening night was just incredible, one of the most thrilling experiences in my working life because of the audience response - it was shocking, controversial, there was laughter and tears. A thrilling night.
Q: A favourite place or holiday destination where you retreat when life's too busy?
A: Work has taken me to so many places that it's hard to pick one, but if I have to, the far North-West of Australia is pretty memorable. It's one of the most ancient and beautiful areas in the world. My dream destination though, is Antarctica. I've always wanted to go there because of the light, the blue ice and also while we still can - before it melts away.
Q: Why should people see the plays you're appearing in?
A: Both plays have absolutely A-team casts. It's not often that you get such a strong group of actors who like working together so much, and I think this comes across on the stage for the audience. It's a combination of this plus great plays and good directors - it's magic when you get all three elements all together. Also both plays have been approached in ways I've never seen done before, and that's pretty special too.
(*) In Sunday in the Park with George at the RNT.
(Many thanks to Sunni for kindly providing this article)
