Nigel Benson interviews Helen Medlyn.
Been to Dunedin before?
Yes, lots of times. Love it. I've been here not only for one of our previous cabaret shows, Hellbent, but I've sung in concerts here with the Southern Sinfonia and the City of Dunedin Choir as well as come through on tour with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and I have been here - as a Laureate of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand - in a forum.
What do you know about Dunedin?
I know that it's cold! Brrrrrrrrrrrr! And I know that you have a great art gallery, because I always visit it when I'm down.
And I know that the fabulous Taieri Gorge Railway train ride is fun to do because I've been on it.
Not only is it a great train ride, but you get to leave from one of the most exquisite buildings - the Dunedin Railway Station.
What do you hope people will get from your performance?
Lots of laughter and maybe a tear or two.
What do you enjoy most about performing?
The opportunity to tell stories.
How do you relax away from work?
I have big, burly, bloke friends who have Harley-Davidsons and my idea of heaven is to have one of them take me for a blast on his bike. Yeehah!
What would you be doing if it wasn't this?
I'm a registered independent celebrant, so I officiate at weddings, funerals and other ceremonies and I also teach song interpretation and performance skills on a one-to-one basis, which I enjoy immensely.
Hotel is on at 8pm in the Glenroy Auditorium tonight, tomorrow and Saturday.
