Rosalie Craig
Rosalie Craig is an actress best known for musical theatre. She received an Evening Standard Award for her performance in the National Theatre’s The Light Princess in 2013, and triumphantly returned to the National this year in Damon Albarn’s Wonder.land, which transferred there from the Manchester International Festival. Other theatre credits have included City of Angels at the Donmar Warehouse and Sweeney Todd at the London Coliseum. She is about to lead as Rosalind in the National’s new production of As You Like It (from 26th October, tickets now on sale).
1. What was your biggest career break?
My biggest career break was The Light Princess at the National Theatre, directed by Marianne Elliott.
2. Have you had a notable mentor – and if so what was it about them that was so inspiring?
Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to encounter so many incredible and diverse people. It would be hard to call anyone a mentor. My husband is certainly my sounding board and rock.
3. What one piece of advice would you give to the 20-year-old you?
I would tell the younger me to embrace being herself. You shouldn’t try to be anything but that. It’s easy to spend your early years trying to fit in and change – ultimately you find being yourself is the key.
4. What qualities do you most value in people with whom you work?
Bravery, hard work and lack of ego.
5. Who do you admire and why?
People who dedicate their lives to helping others, with no thought of reward.
6. What does the future of theatre look like, to you?
People will always need stories and escapism, so theatre will always exist. The future depends on how the industry treats those who are a part of it and work within it – too many people work for little or no money in this industry and I want to fight for that to stop. It is a career and a job and has to be recognised in that way.
7. If you hadn’t become an actress, what would you have done instead?
It's all I ever wanted to do, and I just never entertained anything else. Perhaps I'd follow my mother’s example and teach people with learning difficulties. She's my hero.
8. What is your biggest extravagance?
Scented candles. I love candles. Candles candles candles.
9. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and why? (you can invite three people – they must be alive)
Cate Blanchett – I think she is the most incredible actress and I'd love to pick her brains. Stewart Lee – fiercely funny and intelligent. And Mel Giedroyc – I have a huge girl crush on her. Who hasn’t?
10. What do you do to relax away from work?
I love to exercise – it really is a daily need of mine. And my husband and I have an allotment that provides a lot of peace and relaxation.
11. If you could change one thing about Britain today, what would it be?
I would address the housing situation very quickly. From top to bottom the entire sector is out of control, nationwide. Home ownership has become a distant dream for many, rather than a basic requirement for life. House building, house prices, the whole lot. Just as important is the desire to wipe out homelessness. In this day and age it is baffling that people are still living on the streets in such poverty, with wealth becoming more and more concentrated amongst the few.
12. What would your last meal be? (you can choose a starter, a main course and a pudding)
Starter – whitebait – my favourite. Main – my mum’s coconut chicken curry. Dessert – my grandma's apple pie. It was the world’s finest.
