Linda Calgaro has a reputation as a character player. Accents, faces and of course a memorable singing voice. Her a capella rock comedy band, Rocktapus is performing at the Sydney Fringe, and we are honoured with her presence in our cast.
What's your all time favourite improvised scene that you were in? Why?
It happened during rehearsals for Tabloid Musical. Geoff Wallis, our director, encouraged the performers to explore dark characters and stories, so somehow I had to sing a song as a baby murdering nurse. I can’t remember what I sang, but I remember singing while smothering an imaginary baby with a pillow. I know - it was creepy, but discovering that I could play unlikeable, serious characters and make them watchable was amazing and actually fun! If you commit to a character, audiences are drawn in. John Knowles still won’t let me babysit his kids. Mwah-hah-ha-ha…
What's your all time favourite you witnessed but weren't in, and why?
I remember seeing Rik Brown from Impro Melbourne once do a Shakespearian monologue as a garbage collector. I love Shakespeare, so to watch someone make it up, use the language effortlessly, make the character loveable and funny, as well as tell a brilliant story, frankly, makes me want to give up and buy a Cookie Man franchise. But I soldier on.
Why do you love improvising?
Improv is Zen. You have to relinquish your own ego at every moment whilst improvising - this thing is bigger than you. I live to create emotional connections not only between characters, but especially with an audience. If I can move an audience in any way, then it’s been a good gig.
What's your favourite colour (after pink)?
It’s a tie between red and dark purple.
What's your favourite fruit and why?
Cherries are a seriously sexy fruit.
What's your porn name? (first pet + first street you ever lived in)
Puppy Flood
What's your ambition for pink ladies?
To bend people’s perception of Improv - to be strong and brilliant, feminine and funny.
Favourite word?
Love.
Picture: Sophie Long comforts Linda Calgaro (in purple... because it seems to be the Pink Ladies' favourite colour after Pink!).
