Countdown to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival; Day 2: Ansuya Nathan

Long Live The King is written by and stars Adelaide born Ansuya Nathan, with Direction by Guy Masterson.

Originally from Adelaide, Ansuya attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1997 and along the way has appeared in TV shows such as Love My Way, Last Man Standing and Comedy Inc, and even had a small role in the movie Superman Returns.

Long Live The King is based of the story of Ansuya's Mother and Father arriving in Australia.

Touching down on Australian soil on the day that Elvis dies, Doctor's wife Meena, Indian, heavily pregnant, braces herself for the after-life in the New World down-under.

"It's quite a bizarre image, an Indian woman in an Elvis costume," Ansuya says. "I sing That's All Right Mama . . . I do an impersonation of Elvis, and that intrigued me, whether I could be believable as Elvis. But I think it goes quite well actually."

A based-on-a-true-story tale of acceptance, integration and dislocation, interspersed with the wit and wisdom of The King, it's a rockin' and rollickin' tale of spice, soul and sunburn!

"In the story, my mother is a big fan of Elvis, and heavily pregnant with me . . . his death is just too much to bear," Ansuya says. "I was actually born two months to the day exactly after Elvis died. I thought that was a weird thing . . . what if I was the reincarnation of Elvis, how cool would that be . . . and then creative licence took over."

Guy Masterson, an accomplished performer and director in his own right, is well known for importing powerful works from all over the globe.

"It is exactly this kind of exchange that makes Edinburgh's the biggest and the best arts festival on the planet!" Masterson enthuses. "It can boast the best new drama from around the World.. and this is what makes it so important. It also makes it the most exciting."

We put Ansuya in the Cabaret hot-seat with 10 questions in 10 minutes:

1. What are you looking forward to most about coming to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival?
Adelaide is my hometown. While I left when I was 19 to go to drama school in Sydney, the rest of my family have stayed - Mum, Dad, brothers, Gran, aunties, uncles and cousins, all live there. I haven't performed in Adelaide since high school so this feels like a bit of a homecoming. And to top it off much of the story of Long Live The King is set in "the city of churches".

2. What has been your biggest learning curve so far working as a professional performer?
Without a doubt, it would have to be this show! I had never written anything - or should I say, finished writing anything - before. I struggled with finding my voice and discovering the story because, while it is based on my parents arrival in Australia in the 1970s, there is quite a lot of poetic license. Then came the performing of it - 65 minutes of just me on stage really challenged my performance stamina. But I am happy to say that the story holds up and so do I!

3. What was it like performing the show in the Edinburgh Fringe?
I had such a fantastic time. I've had a long, long love affair with the Edinburgh Fringe. 2010 was my 5th time as a participant of some sort and it felt like a culmination of all of my varied experiences there. To be able to take my own show to the biggest arts festival in the world, for it to be received so well and then to be nominated for Best Solo Performer at the Stage Awards was like a dream come true.

4. What can audiences expect from Long Live The King?
They can expect to be taken on a funny, heartwarming and poignant journey that will make them laugh and cry in equal measures and remind them of the musical genius of The King of Rock 'n' Roll

5. What do you think "Cabaret" is and why is it different to any other performance art?
To be honest, I have no idea! I think the wonderfully eclectic program that makes up this year's Festival is testament to the fact that Cabaret can be whatever you want it to be.

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Hopefully, at the Long Live The King film premiere!

7. What would be your advice to young people wanting to break into the industry?
Don't talk about it, do it. Make your own work. Stay positive. Support other artists and their work.

8. What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Creating Long Live The King - it really was a challenge in all aspects.

9. Who have been your greatest influences as a performer?
For this show I'd have to say Elvis. His voice, humour and musical tastes are infused in the piece.

10. Who are your top 5 picks for the 2011 Adelaide Cabaret Festival?
Paul Capsis, Mike McLeish, Olivia Newton John, Ali MacGregor and Leo Sayer.

Ansuya Nathan
Long Live The King

Written and Performed by Ansuya Nathan
Directed by Guy Masterson

11 June 3.15pm and 6.30pm
12 June 3pm and 6pm
Tickets Adult $29 Concession $25
For more information visit: http://www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au

"This is all a solo show should be."
- The Public Reviews

Photo credit: Brigitta Scholz-Mastroianni