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Up close and personal with Clare Mortimer
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July 22, 2009
 By Billy Suter
Award-winning actress Clare Mortimer, who is garnering wide acclaim for her lead role in the KickstArt drama Wit, running at Durban's Playhouse Loft until Sunday, talks trivia with Billy Suter…
What is the highlight of your year so far?
Besides starring in Wit, it was being allowed to let myself loose on another Shakespeare in Durban earlier this year (Othello), and hearing matrics talk of it after. Blows me away!
Your favourite restaurant, shop, mall and leisure activity?
I love Spiga D'Ora, Snap Wine Bar is excellent and Corner Café is delightful.
Shop of the moment has to be Glenwood's Euphoria complex. I hate malls, I get into a tearing bloody rage and my legs shake.
The beach in the late afternoon and early evening is still my one and only love.
Name your favourite movie of the past year. And best of all time?
In Bruges. I loved the writing, loved the premise. Fave film of all time? Probably Plenty and Talk to Her . . . but ask me again tomorrow.
What album is in your CD player? And your most cherished CD of all time?
Radiohead's Kid A is in my CD player. It knocks the edges back into me when required. Most cherished? Maybe Tom Waits' Swordfishtrombone, which I nicked off Dad.
Your favourite kind of meal? And least favourite?
Strong flavours, good curries and simple pasta. Least favourite is probably meaty things. I cannot understand a cheap burger.
How do you keep fit?
I don't really, sometimes the work does it for us a bit. But I do try to get to gym, swim, lift a few weights. I fail a lot at this.
What three things make South Africa truly great?
Its expanse, its tenacity and underlying chaos.
What word or phrase do you most overuse?
"I don't understand", or "What are we going to eat?"
What about yourself would you love to change?
My vagueness. I cannot always concentrate on what is being said.
How and where did you celebrate your last birthday?
My birthday is February 5. I didn't celebrate it really, as we had Othello rehearsals. Some very special people ended up making an ad hoc dinner at Green Mango. Lovely of them.
Dream holiday?
Never changes, 'cos I never get there - Chile. On my own.
If you could be an animal what would it be (and why)?
A fox. They get on with things - and adapt.
Which personalities do you most admire - and why?
I cannot think of one in the celebrity stakes. Locally, Greg King, for his enormous talent and humility; Bryan Hiles for the same; Liesl Coppin for a million reasons; Neil Coppen, for keeping on keeping on.
What six things do you truly love? And what six things do you detest?
Love good food, good films, writer Ian McEwan, the sea, cotton linen, kindness. Truly hate money's ills, malls, injustice, celebrated mediocrity and yes-men.
What's the funniest thing that ever happened to you?
Being mistaken for another blonde (and far more accomplished) Durban actress; and as the girl who slid down the balcony with a rose between her teeth at actor Darren King and Paul Judkin's wedding at the Durban Country Club. It wasn't me - I don't wear short dresses. There are other clues I could give …
Name your favourite actor, actress, author, singer, band and TV show.
They change all the time. Ryan Gosling and Alan Arkin; Judy Davis and Patricia Clarkson; Richard Walne and the band Smashing Pumpkins. TV show is hard, I don't watch much, and I don't have pay-TV so I think my TV obsession ended with Six Feet Under.
And author - I'd be lying if I pretended it wasn't JM Coetzee.
What three things do you have to do before you die?
Learn to sing again. Pick up my piano lessons. Write something I think is good.
What are you reading?
Just read Coetzee's Age of Iron again.
Your favourite cities?
Paris, because I felt like I'd come home the minute the Air France bus spat me out on the Champs Elysee with 46kg of luggage, and no clue where I was going. I never thought I'd get that feeling there.
Also, London, because it feels like home from home, and Durban because it is home, and inspires a pulse in me that should not be healthy.
Name five things about you most people don't know?
I've been struck by lightning twice - think I'm okay. I only eat animals I dislike as creatures (makes no sense), I suffer from debilitating stage fright. Oh, and I forget how old I am.
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