Q&A WITH Penny Mcnamee playing Gwendolyn Pigeon in Odd Coupl
How does performing in a live theatre production like "The Odd Couple" differ from your work in television?
The adrenaline and immediacy that comes with live theatre can't be beaten. Plus the extended rehearsal period allows for a lot more discovery and play, which in a comedy like The Odd Couple makes for a lot of laughs in the room!
What aspects of Neil Simon's writing do you find most appealing or challenging in this play?
The dialogue is a masterclass in comedy. It's quick, clever and so funny. Since it is set in the 1960s in New York, it’s very stylised and of the period which makes it even funnier.
Are there any particular scenes or moments in the play that you find especially enjoyable or resonate with you personally?
Lucy Durack and I play ditzy British sisters, and let me tell you, it’s not a stretch for either of us! We giggle our way through every rehearsal, constantly trying to make each other laugh. My cheeks are sore from laughing everyday!
What's your most memorable experience from other roles you've played on stage or on the screen?
It would be fair to say that my first time performing in a professional show remains my most memorable. As an 18 year old, I was cast by Cameron MacIntosh in The Witches of Eastwick at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne. I vividly remember our first day of rehearsals with legends like Marina Prior, Tony Sheldon and Geraldine Turner. It felt like a dream come true!
How do you think the themes explored in "The Odd Couple" still resonate with modern audiences today?
I’m not sure that they do, but its very very funny! Hahaha
Could you share any funny or memorable behind-the-scenes moments from rehearsals or performances of other professional productions?
Being good friends for such a long time, Lucy and I are often known to say exactly the same thing at the same time, with the exact same inflection. Our ability to talk underwater means we are a high risk for missing our entrance on stage due to chatting - a theory we accidentally tested during a full run of the show this week.