Powerfully honest, unfathomably kind and unfairly genius, what better way to kick off 'People' than with theatre doyen Saraid Cameron.
People is a section about the best people I know. Plain and simple. It's kind of perfect that we should start with a woman so dear to my heart: Saraid Cameron. Whip smart and boundlessly talented, she's the kind of person who makes you feel encouraged and challenged to do better in the same breath. In 2018 there is no excuse not to be fearless about calling out oppression and systematic prejudice, but Saraid's unflinching commitment to 'calling it how it is' should be the model for anyone wanting to update the way people see the world. No apologies, no frills, just a clear, articulate message that it's time for white feminists and woke bros to hand over the megaphone and get intersectional. I don't remember exactly when I met Saraid properly, but I can pin-point wanting to be her friend somewhere between:
A) Watching her life-giving performance as Veronica in The Mother Fucker in the Hat (I know it was good because I felt jealous as hell of how perfect she was for that role)
B) Her super genius work starring in 'The first 7500 days of my life' (Working with the one and only Nisha Madhan - genius plus genius equals double genius)
C) Her HILARIOUS instagram story coverage of the US Bachelorette. Enough said.
2018 has already been a brilliant year for Saraid with sold out performances of her award winning fringe show 'Drowning in Milk', but without missing a beat she opens 'Cult show: The Revitalisation of the Women's Archives' at the basement tonight with long time collaborator Amelia Reynolds. If their last show STOMACH is anything to go by, you are not going to want to miss this. You can read more about their show here, here and here and book tickets HERE.
I nervously sent off my first attempt at questions for 'People' and this is what Saraid had to say...
If someone was going to write a blurb about you, what would it say ? What would you like it to say or not say ?
If someone was to write a blurb about me it would probably say that I am a bit angry, and a bit spiky. I think it would also say that I have good hair and I make theatre.
How do we know each other ? Do you remember how we met ?
How DO we know each other?! I do not remember how we met Kayleigh! I remember seeing you in a Joseph Harper play, or was it a play Joe was also in? And you were very very, like very very good. Shit it was a good play.
What do you “do”? When you’re not eating or sleeping ? What do you wish you did ?
I act. And I write and devise theatre. And I audition to do more of this. I talk to people about theatre and I see theatre. I also work in a bar. And I surround myself as often as I can (which is all the time) with a lot of women who inspire me.
What is something you would like everyone to care more about ?
I would like everyone to care more about structural racism. And I would like everyone to care more when you can’t get chilli at a restaurant and the food is really bland.
Where is your favourite place to eat and what do you order there ?
LOVE this question. At the moment my favourite place to eat is Coco’s Cantina and I get always the happy hour pasta and a Negroni if I’m feeling flush.
What was the hardest thing that happened to you in the last year ?
Shit fuck. The hardest thing that happened to me recently is probably my Granny moving into a retirement home/hospital. I spent a majority of my childhood with my Gran, and we are similar in so many ways that she feels like a part of me. I’m not that good at writing about it because I don’t think I’m very good at acknowledging that it has really happened or how it feels.
He said that the “difference between your worst and your best is only ever 10% anyway. But I wasn’t sure if you were both having fun. You should have fun” and I think about both of those things every single time I perform.
Where is the best place you’ve visited and why ?
I loved Hamburg. The first time I was in the city I walked around it alone, listening to Rihanna’s album ‘Anti’ which had just come out. Saw cool art, cool buildings, walked into H&M and started talking to a shop assistant who ended up becoming a good FRIEND. It was a glorious confirmation of my choice to travel alone.
What's the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given ? How did that advice come to you ?
Something Sam Snedden told me on the opening night of the first play that I co-wrote. Myself and my co-creator/artistic soulmate/best friend Amelia Reynolds had just come offstage after opening STOMACH and we were in a bit of a state of anxiety. He said that the “difference between your worst and your best is only ever 10% anyway. But I wasn’t sure if you were both having fun. You should have fun” and I think about both of those things every single time I perform.
What is the one thing that will never leave your wardrobe and why ?
My long navy Twenty-Seven Names coat (similar here). It looks good every winter and holds up in sub zero temperatures. Just gotta change your scarf or hat each year and you ready to go.
I love that I can make the people I care about feel loved. I hate that I can make them feel pain.
What is something you wish 16 year old you had known ?
That loads of the reasons you feel shit about yourself are to do with Eurocentric standards of beauty. And years of structural racism has lead to everyone around you unconsciously assuming your incompetence and expecting jackshit from you. And that’s there’s freedom in no one believing you’re going to be fucking good at something.
What beauty product is a game changer to you ? why ?
The Fenty blotting powder is an A+ item. I can’t thank Rihanna enough for that shit. It’s in my bag ALL of the time. Also the new hair ties that are just a plastic corkscrew situation. It doesn’t get stuck in my hair which is a MIRACLE. And possibly Dr Bronner’s soap – you can make it a foaming hand-wash, a body wash and a nice bath oil.
What is your greatest fear ?
My Gran being lonely.
What do you love least/most about yourself ?
I love that I can make the people I care about feel loved. I hate that I can make them feel pain.
What is your greatest extravagance/secret shame that you spend money on ?
Clothes. I am in total denial about how much money I spend on clothes. Also gel pedicures. But this wouldn’t be a problem if I didn’t spend so much money on clothes.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
I would come back as an albatross.
What are you listening to, reading or watching that you think everyone should know about ? (take creative license, can be an old faithful)
Nao’s album For All We Know. Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Kanye West Essay. Code Switch on NPR – a podcast. The greatest podcast. Sodden Downstream by Brannavan Gnanalingam.
What song or songs can you not help but dance to/play over and over ?
Baby by Brandy, Moving Mountains by Syd. Bamboo Banga by M.I.A
Who do you most admire and why ?
I admire so many women I find it hard to pick one I admire most. It’s honestly the thing that makes my life beautiful, looking at the women around me and just being blown away by their resilience. I think a lot about my friend Sophie McBride. She’s been going through some incredibly rough situations and she stays strong and cool and kind through all of it. It’s basically a lesson in how to deal with adversity. I feel like I would crumble and pull everyone into a pit of suffering with me. Sophie manages to lift us all higher. I love her.
Massive thanks to Saraid for humouring me and giving this a go - til next time xxxx
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