The Mrs Wormwoods side-by-side

14 Years ago: Jess Smith

What was it like performing in Matilda?

My experience all those years ago was fantastic, not only did I play Matilda’s mum but I got to perform in a bilingual theatre piece in Cantonese and English.

I had loved the Roald Dahl stories as a child and was pleased to perform in anything that had to do with his work. It was also great to meet his wife and witness her passion for the continuation of his stories with young people that is ever present today!

表演《瑪嬌達》經驗如何?

那幾年的經驗實在太棒了，不我僅擔演瑪嬌達的媽媽，亦有機會以粵語及英語表演這個戲劇作品。

年少時我很喜愛羅爾德‧達爾的故事，因此很高興有機會演出他的作品。能夠結識到他的妻子及見證她延續對羅爾德.達爾故事的熱忱是很難得的！

Your impression of performing Matilda at the Edinburgh  Fringe Festival…

The Edinburgh Fringe festival is something I have profoundly fond memories of and now, I am excited to be taking my 3 children there, to the festival, to visit friends, explore the city and the countryside of Scotland.

It is one of my favourite cities in the world and the festival is a fabulous fantastic platform for all that is art and culture!!

One of the best things about the Matilda experience was of course the cast and crew. Such an amazing group of people to spend time with—talented, witty, caring and above all professional. It was lovely to be sharing the experience with them all. I am so happy that so many have gone on to full fill their dreams, many of which are in the Arts.

你對於在愛丁堡演出《瑪嬌達》的印象是…

愛丁堡藝穗會對我來說是一個很難忘的回憶，而我現在有幸帶自己三個小孩去參與它的節目，並同時去探望親友，遊覽城市和享受蘇格蘭的郊野。這是我最喜愛的城市之一，而藝穗節是一個充滿藝術文化的平台!!

參演《瑪嬌達》最好的回憶當然是這班演員和製作團隊–除了有才華之餘，他們亦很幽默和有愛心, 而最重要是他們每一位都很專業。很開心可以與他們分享這些經歷, 很懷念一起渡過的時刻！我亦很開心得知他們都實現了自己的夢想，大部份更在藝術界開展了他們的事業。

How did being in Matilda and with YAF impact your life…

YAF- what can I say! A truly inspiring organisation giving everyone the chance to experience the arts. My home from home with an awesomely talented team!

參與香港青年藝術協會的製作如何影響你的人生？

香港青年藝術協會–我還可說什麼？一個人才濟濟、真正啓發人心的地方，讓大家都可以有機會經歷藝術—是我的第二個家庭!

Today: Jessica De Borja

Your character in Matilda is…

Matilda’s mom, Mrs Wormwood.

你在《瑪嬌達》裡飾演的角色是…

瑪嬌達的媽媽，旺活太太。

Describe your character…

Mrs Wormwood a silly and foolish woman who cares a lot about physical appearances. She’s not as loud-mouthed as her husband but is honestly a bit daft!

你怎樣形容你的角色？

旺活太太是一個既糊塗又愚蠢的女人，亦很著重外表。她或許沒有旺活先生般喧華嘈吵，不過事實上她確實有點笨拙！

 What’s your experience in rehearsals so far?

I’m still getting to know Mrs Wormwood and finding out her little quirks and mannerisms. Rehearsals so far have been lots of fun especially since I get to watch the kids in all their different roles. It’s all coming together and I can’t wait to see the finished product!

現時的排練過程是如何的?

我仍然在探索旺活太太的奇怪行為和舉止。目前的綵排都很好玩，尤其是可以見證到所有年輕演員都在不同的角色中展現他們的才能。現在的進展都很順利，我實在很期待整個製作排完會是怎樣！

Any funny/interesting memory on the production so far?

In one scene we are in the Wormwood’s kitchen and one of the kids acts as a washing machine. I looked over and she got so caught up spinning her arms and head like the machine that all I saw was lots of hair flying about. Talk about getting carried away!

可以分享排練中一些趣事嗎?

其中一幕我們在旺活家的廚房，而其中一位演員要扮演一部洗衣機。我回頭望時，她投入到手忙腳亂，弄得披頭散髮！

So what’s a description of yourself in real life?

I have worn lots of hats in my life! I always loved acting and performing and have been involved in amateur and professional theatre productions since childhood. I studied Film at university and was a writer for a few years before switching to drama teaching. I absolutely love drama education and hope to obtain training as an expressive arts therapist in the future. A day in my life involves taking care of two bulldog pups who drive me absolutely bonkers, drama teaching at different international school, voice over recording, rehearsing and auditioning for different shows. I like to keep busy and always surround myself with art and inspiring people!

你能形容一下現實中的你是怎樣的嗎？

我這一生人裡擔當過很多不同的角色！我一直都熱愛演戲和表演，從小便參與業餘和專業的舞台製作。我在大學時修讀電影學系，做了幾年作家後就轉教戲劇。我非常喜愛戲劇教育，並希望成為一位表達藝術治療師。平日我要照顧兩隻令我發瘋的小鬥牛犬外，亦在不同的國際學校裡教戲劇、參與錄音工作和參與不同演出的面試。我喜歡忙碌的生活，接觸熱愛藝術、啟發心靈的人。

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation!

如果你有一種超能力，你希望是甚麼？

瞬間轉移！

Is this project different to other projects you have done before? How/Why?

Yes. Matilda was one of my favorite stories growing up so I am incredibly pleased to be involved in this project. It’s different from some of the other projects I have done before because I mostly do very high energy kids musicals in my regular work. The show has a lot more physical theatre and less singing, which is FAB! It’s great to see how creative the kids can get.

今次的演出與你之前參與過的演藝項目有所不同嗎?

有。《瑪嬌達》是我成長時最喜愛的故事之一，因此我很榮幸可以參與今次的製作。日常工作上我大多參與演出精力充沛的兒童音樂劇，而今次作品卻以形體劇場為主，亦很少唱歌部分。這是很好的，因為可以見證這群年輕的演員的創意。

How did you get involved in YAF and has that impacted your life? Your experience with YAF…

I first joined YAF many years ago when I was only 14! I first heard about it through my school – South Island School. After my first YAF project I auditioned for Bugsy Malone and got the part of Talulah. It was a wonderful experience that led me to many more years of joining musical theatre productions. YAF taught me discipline as a young performer; it really showed me how much work it takes to put on a good show. YAF really prepared me for the work I have done and continue to do as a professional actor and drama educator.

參與香港青年藝術協會的製作怎樣影響你的人生?

我第一次參與香港青年藝術協會是十四歲的時候！我當時是透過就讀的學校—南島國際學校，得知音樂劇《龍蛇小霸王》的面試，並成功擔任Talulah的角色。這是個美好的經歷，令我多年後都繼續參與很多不同的音樂劇製作。身為一個年輕的表演者，YAF讓我明白到自律的重要性，亦令我體會到一個製作是需要多大的功夫和血汗。YAF對我之後擔當專業演員和戲劇導師的工作做了充足的準備。