Where in the world am I today?: North Vancouver, BC, Canada

Prologue: My first encounter with Ms. Heather Pilkington was at the Edmonton Street Performer’s Festival in 2009…  Her and her partner Cathy Peace were performing a number of different characters that were somehow bridging the gap between the traditional set up and do it circle show and standard roving character work… Somehow the shows were a bit shorter and comprised of less ‘Ra Ra Ra – Hype Hype Hype’ to a finale tricks and more work based on character – Their roving sets were a bit more engaging and in your face than a typical roving act. Again they seemed to bridge the gap ever so nicely in what I would describe as ‘Street Theatre’ of a more European lilt. Anyway, at some point over the week I was in Edmonton the two SWANK girls started doing this sort of wrap performance at me based on a song from the 80s that had been popular in England and my performance character… Went something like – ‘Check yourself before you wreck yourself… Check Check Check Check Checkerboard Guy.’ Their performance of this little wrap number was done with such enthusiasm and love that they quickly endeared themselves to me!

STATS

Name: Heather Pilkington.
Birthday: 01 October in the year I am reliably informed was the hottest summer on record in England in the 70’s.
Place of Birth: Lancashire, England.
Started Performing/Working in the Industry: Dressing up down the back street with my sister making plays, and I’ve been showing off ever since.
Discipline: Character actress.
Website: http://www.swank-streettheatre.com/
Venues Worked: O2 London, The Lowry Manchester, Birmingham Rep. and others…

Hot 10 Questions:

1. What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream and why? • Neapolitan. A little bit of everything to keep you going.
2. Name one movie that would make it to your Top 10 all-time great films. • Just one? Toss up between “Back to the Future” and “The Princess Bride.”
3. What was your favorite toy from childhood? • A milk float that I used to race down the front street whilst my mate Stephen rode his Go-Kart, Suffice to say Stephen always won.
4. Who were your biggest inspirations when you got started? • Julie Walters is and always will be a massive inspiration along with Les Dawson.
5. From the world of animation what one character do you most identify with or see yourself in? • Wile E Coyote. I’m always chasing something.
6. Name something that scares you. • Shadows.
7. Apart from the entertainment industry, name one other job you’ve had. • A brief stint in a toilet paper factory.
8. What’s something you haven’t done yet that you’d like to try? • Haven’t been in a hot air balloon or eaten snails. Perhaps could do both together?
9. What’s your least favourite thing about being a performer? •  What’s not to love? Making people laugh and meeting cool people. Just wish there was more work!
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? • “The bar is open!“

The Nugget:

Pick one nugget of wisdom you’ve picked up from your career in Show Business to share with the World.

“Don’t be afraid to fail. Take chances.”

–Heather Pilkington

This entry was posted on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 9:21 am and is filed under Interview. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.