What do you do?
I’m an actor.
When did you get into it?
In my late 20s when I was living in the UK. I used to be very nervous about speaking in public. Someone suggested I go to an adult drama group for fun, and everything snowballed from there... evening classes in London, then drama school full time.
Who or what influences you as an artist?
I grew up in Germany (Brecht), India (Gandhi) and England (The Goons) so there is a wide mix of influences, from early childhood experiences meeting artists such as Joseph Beuys, Timothy Leary, Nana Vasconcelos and Otto Muehl, to my later exposure to the Indian ‘way of life’... on the one hand ideas of self-negation, stripping away of the ego to let a character emerge organically as an actor; on the other hand, colour and exuberance, to express yourself fearlessly on stage. Alexander Technique has had quite a big influence on me as an actor too.
What’s your biggest achievement/proudest moment so far?
Writing, producing and performing the show Vidooshaka – The Indian Clown with David Finnigan at the Multicultural Fringe Festival in 2005. One of my personal highlights was getting people to throw money at us on stage!
What are your plans for the future?
I don’t plan too far ahead. I’d like to be involved in theatre that questions assumptions whilst offering hope.
What makes you laugh?
American politicians, Indian street signs (e.g. “Buy one shoe, get one free” or “Parking for the physically challenged”), my kids Leila (“I’m so pretty – stop it, face!”) and Tara (“What happens if your skin dies but your bones stay alive?”) and my partner Emily’s bawdy jokes.
What pisses you off?
Guns, selfishness, people who don’t believe in vaccination, religion interfering in public life, lack of punctuality, the drift towards private schooling, small pieces of food put into plastic containers that then gradually go off in the fridge.
What’s your opinion of the local scene?
There’s plenty of talent and good sporadic work. There is lots of potential, for example for a professional acting ensemble, but a change in ongoing financial support for the arts is required to retain promising young artists or to attract some of those who have left back to Canberra. The city I was born in (Bonn, in Germany) spends around five times the amount on the performing arts than the ACT currently does – despite having a smaller population and a lower overall budget!
What are your upcoming performances/exhibitions?
Destination Home at The Street Theatre from Tuesday-Sunday August 23-28 (tel. 6247 1223). Camilla Blunden, Liliana Bogatko, Noonee Doronila and I wrote this play over the last 18 months. Based on our personal stories and directed by barb barnett, this play examines migration, memory and belonging.
Contact info: raoul.craemer@econtext.com.au
