Spelling it out

Sydney Star Observer Is being a comedian and actor something you’ve always aspired to be?

Magda Szubanski When you’re a kid you want to be everything. I probably would have drifted more to serious drama but I ended up doing comedy. My cousin in Poland is a really famous actress, so that inspired me bit.

SSO Is being funny a gift you were born with or something you learnt over time?

MS It’s a bit of both. My father is Polish but I think my funny chops come from my mother who is Scottish-Irish.

SSO What was it like being raised in such a diverse family?

MS [laughing] It was turbulent and very philosophical. We are great talkers.

SSO D Generation and Fast Forward were your stepping stones to national stardom. Was it hard to break into the industry?

MS I came out of doing revues at Melbourne University when we were all talent-scouted by a couple of producers from the ABC and the rest is history. There was no way that back in 1985 I would have believed my career would last as long as it has.

SSO Is theatre keeping you amused?

MS In a lot of ways as a performer, theatre is such a satisfying media because it’s live. Spelling Bee is unique because we have volunteers come on stage, but I have to stress we don’t pluck people who are unwilling.

SSO And you’re playing a boy in this musical?

MS My character is William Barfee, who is a little shit. He has an interesting journey that he goes through. It’s easy to play an 11-year-old boy. In Fast Forward, I played so many male characters, but essentially roles are designated by shape rather than gender. If the role was fat it went to me. It’s fun to broaden your palette rather than do one or the other.

SSO I hear the Christen O’Leary character is burdened with a lisp and a surname made up from her gay dad’s names strung together?

MS Yeah, we are a bunch of outsiders. O’Leary plays Logainne Schwartzandgrubeniere and her two dads are really funny. One of them is quite ambitious for his daughter to win the spelling bee and the other one is easygoing.

SSOIs Kath & Kim still going ahead?

MS We just finished filming the fourth series. I can’t tell you too much, no spoilers. Shane Warne does put in an appearance and there are wedding bells with Sharon and Shane. It’s really funny. And Matt Lucas from Little Britain is in the show. We keep trying to make people laugh.

SSO Sources have seen you dancing at the Peel in Melbourne. How do you feel about them rejecting lesbian women from the venue?

MS It’s really up to the venue to decide what to do.

SSO You were the face of Jetstar for a while but a new survey has claimed that they are the worst domestic airline. Do you regret signing up?

MS Look, I started out with the Jetstar thing, it’s up to them to run the business. I fly Qantas because they have a great safety record and I used to be a very nervous flier. I asked the CEO about this and he said, Jetstar has the same safety standards as Qantas.

SSOWith Kath & Kim‘s popularity in the community you have become an inspiration for many people. How does it feel being such a gay icon?

MS In Kath & Kim we have always said that the gay audience is way ahead of the curve in terms of getting stuff. With shows like Big Girl’s Blouse, the gay audience got it in a way that the mainstream audience never really did, so it’s always been fantastic to have that kind of support.

SSOGiven that you’re such a gay icon, do you ever feel pressured to speak about your sexuality?

MS My life is my own business.

SSOIs it hard for people in the entertainment industry to come out?

MS My view is that there are all sorts of different pressures and often it’s to do with people wanting to sell magazines. I think whatever anyone wishes to talk about or not to talk about in relation to their private life is really their own concern.

SSO Why should people see Spelling Bee?

MS It’s a really good example of a Broadway musical and, if you like comedy, it’s a really fun show. It has great songs and it’s a feelgood piece.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs from Monday 11 June until Saturday 14 July. For bookings call 92501777.