A dinner invite from Genevieve...

All my guests on my blog get to create a fictional dinner party, they choose their theme, the food they want to serve, the country they would like to have it in or maybe their own home, anywhere really. They choose who they would like to invite alive or not and the reasons why they would like to have them there? They also share one of the main recipes from their dinner. The fun begins as they think about who they would like to have there and why. This week Gen’s dinner is about to unfold…

Almost showtime

What theme and food would you have at your dinner Gen?

"The theme of my dinner party would definitely be Greek food. I love it!!!! My partner is half Greek and I have a couple of very close friends who are Greek and have been lucky enough to be fed by them and/or their parents."

"I'd definitely do a Greek style roast lamb. Lots of lemon, garlic, and oregano. Cooked for a long time until it's falling apart. Yum!! A homemade tzatziki made by one of my Greek friends mums. And pilafi made with home made stock, probably made by my partners Mum who was taught to cook by her Greek mother in law. Greek salad. Saganaki. Lots of lemon to squeeze over everything. And copious amounts of wine."

finishing touches

costume jewels

costume jewels

a quiet moment

Who would you invite and why?

"The guests I'd invite may seem to an outsider fairly unimaginative. I beg to differ. I play things pretty safe lots of the time, and when it comes to my leisure time I don't wanna take a risk on a guest that may seem interesting and fun from the outside, but turns out to be a dud in reality. So no famous people that you've probably heard of would be invited. Sorry."

"I'd have my partner Tim as guest number 1. (The kids can have a sleepover at my sisters for the occasion as I value adult only time.)

I'd then simply invite the friends of mine I only get to see a couple of times a year if I'm lucky. We all get so busy with our lives and our kids that it is often a long time between drinks. They know who they are they are always good fun and honest and passionate. "

Gen having fun backstage (being a supermodel)

strike a pose

10 mins before Gen has to go on stage

Do you have words of wisdom that you would like to share?

"Don't compare yourself to others. We all have a different blueprint and we should celebrate diversity. And think before you speak.

Now if only I could listen to my own words of wisdom!!"

Shall we dance?

Beautiful Gen, having a giggle to herself

To follow...

My thank you message to Genevieve

GENEVIEVE MORRIS, continued...

Who or what inspires you?

“Women in general inspire me. Women who are following their dream, succeeding against adversity, seeming to cope with parenting better than I do, are multi tasking. Especially the "multi taskers" in the arts. Actors who also write/direct etc. People that have no fear inspire me. And people that are inherently good, and tolerant and driven.”

Jurga getting Gen ready for her wig

Jurga's beautiful handmade wig

beautiful and ready to go on

hair tucked in

fellow cast mate Matt drops in to say hello

Do you have a to do in life (bucket) list and if so what is on it?

“I don't really have a bucket list as such. I do want to travel more, and when the kids are a bit older take them to see other parts of the world that are different to ours.”

transformation almost complete, Gen heads back to dressing room.

What makes you happy?

“I feel very lucky that many of the simple things in life make me happy. Watching my kids playing happily together (and not fighting) makes me just about the happiest person on the planet.

Watching my dog run through a big field or oval with a doggy smile on her face makes me happy.

Sharing humour with my partner makes me happy. Sleep ins. Dinner with friends. Exercise makes me happy and I wish I'd discovered this fact 20 years ago. Oh, and 200mg daily of sertraline. That helps my happiness levels too.

Gen's lucky knickers!

To Follow…

Genevieve’s dinner invite and more

GENEVIEVE MORRIS, continued...

Today’s entry to my blog will be photographs of Genevieve in the early phases of getting ready to go on stage…

To follow...

More of Genevieve's journey in her day 

 

Genevieve Morris - Performer. Partner. Mother. Friend.

I met Gen a couple of years ago when her daughter started at my daughters school. Over those couple of years, our friendship has been growing and getting to know this genuinely funny, kind and beautiful person has been a wonderful journey so far. I was lucky enough to spend time with Gen backstage while she was in the play True Minds by Joanna Murray-Smith. I loved every minute of it. I got to see Gen with her theatre family, and it made me realise how different this world of hers was in comparison to the world I share with her.

Genevieve Morris

How would you describe yourself Gen? 
“I would describe myself as a complicated being who is a performer, a partner, a friend, a mother, a sister, an aunt, and a 46-year-old orphan. Oh and a provider of laughter.”

Dressing room door

Gen starting to get ready for her show

Make-up

 The change begins

 When did you first realise you wanted to act?

 “In all seriousness I realised I wanted to act in grade 6 in primary school. I made up a play with my friends based on a book and I loved the whole process, but most of all I loved playing the role (I think I played a bear) and getting lost in the moment of it and feeling like the audience and I were on a ride together. After the performance, my teacher told me I was a very good actress. I was filled with pride and a sense of achievement. I love that feeling.”

How does performing make you feel, what does it invoke in you?

“Performing makes me feel that same sense of pride today. Everyone is good at "something". Even if they don't know what that is.

I guess when I'm performing there's a sense of control about it (or not? Depending on the project).

I have a sense that I am the one that is controlling things, such as my own actions, my own sense of comic timing, the impact on an audience, the physicality of the role and the vocal requirements etc. When I'm doing theatre, and comedy especially, I relish the feeling of moving an audience to laughter, or tears, or both. And in working with fellow cast members, crews etc, I love the sense of comradery. We are all working towards a common goal. We are not competing. We are a family.”

Propolis for the throat

Gen doing her vocal exercises

If you had a day just to yourself, how would you spend it?

“If I had a day to myself, I would probably spend it at home - pottering around. Doing a few tasks, that makes me feel like things are a bit more under control. I find it hard to get much done when kids are around. I might finish off that day to myself with a massage that lasts about 3 hours and puts me to sleep. Yeah that sounds good.”

Warm up continues

So much energy goes into getting ready

To follow...
 A day in the life with Genevieve continues