Murdoch is a member of the theatre company Cartoon de Salvo. Their new, improvised production “Hard-Hearted Hannah and Other Stories” is at the Lyric Hammersmith, London W6, until 7 June (http://www.lyric.co.uk).
- 1 Does art make a difference? If people get to experience it. We take our shows – including our current one, which is entirely improvised – everywhere from main theatre stages to tiny village halls and music festivals, indoors and outdoors. In many societies, art is a luxury. And where that is the case, people fight very hard to keep it.
- 2 Should politics and art mix?
- Of course. But you need to be aware of who makes up your audience. Middle-class, leftish theatre that tells middle-class, leftish audiences what they already think is a bit pointless. Our company communicates its political values in the choices we make, and we leave space for the audience to think for themselves.
- 3 Is your work for the many or for the few?
- Many, please. We’re on a box-office split.
- 4 If you were world leader, what would be your first law?
- Well, the basic ones we’re meant to have – democracy, freedom of speech. They’re there for a perfectly good reason..
- 5 Who would be your top advisers?
- Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, Fats Waller, the Super Furry Animals, Harvey Pekar and Johnny Depp.
- 6What, if anything, would you censor?
- Nothing. I’m an improviser.
- 7 If you had to banish one public figure, who would it be?
- I think Dr Gillian McKeith is actually evil, so I’d banish her. What has society come to, that people actually listen to her tirades? I saw her terrifying, vicious TV show once, by accident, and wanted to hang myself. I lost hope.
- 8 What are the rules that you live by?
- Some years ago, when we were swimming in the sea in Broadstairs, my husband declared we’d make a vow of fun. I’ve always thought that’s a pretty good one.
- 9 Do you love your country?
- Yes.. . but it’s not the same without Humphrey Lyttelton
- 10 Are we all doomed? Absolutely not. People love moaning. As long as we look backwards as we move forwards – which, as it happens, is one of the rules of improvisation – then we’ll be OK.
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