The Sydney Morning Herald | Jacqueline

While her thespian talents may have taken her around the globe, Jacqueline McKenzie still retains a soft spot for the terrain of her home town. "The waterways in Sydney have always been a huge thing for me," she says. "I caught a ferry to school every day from the age of eight. I've noticed I don't fare too well when I'm not near water."

McKenzie has carved out a long-running career that continues to gain steam many years after she came to fame in the 1990s films Romper Stomper and Angel Baby. This year alone she has appeared on stage with Cate Blanchett in the sold-out run of The Present, on the big screen in Paul Cox's Force of Destiny and in the ABC drama series Hiding.

Although she easily straddles multiple mediums, her passion for live theatre in particular is palpable. Her next chance to feel the thrill is in Sydney Theatre Company's Australian premiere of Sarah Ruhl's adaptation of the Virginia Woolf classic Orlando.

"I love the energy of a group of actors and creatives. It's like an adrenaline rush," McKenzie says. "When you bring a new show to an audience, they share that energy and the whole room is electric."

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the world's most secret, beautiful suburb. It's between Hunters Hill and Gladesville, a tiny cul-de-sac suburb called Henley. We lived in a couple of houses. I was born into a flat, then we moved to a little house that my parents built, then we moved to a rambling old stone cottage in Dick Street. At the beginning of every school year, they'd say, "Where do you live?" and I'd try to not say [the street name]. It was awful. It was the one thing that was bad about living in Henley.

Did you act in high school?

The first one was Oliver! playing Nancy. She frequents pubs and is a bit of a lady of the night. I was about 15, completely flat-chested with short red hair. They gave me this wig and demanded I fill a bra. Every night it was like, "Who's got some football socks?" Then I was in Brigadoon in the chorus. Everybody had a crush on the lead actor, who was none other than Hugh Jackman. He was dazzling the ladies even then.

What would be your perfect day off?

I'd grab my daughter and fill the boot of the car with beach toys and we'd take off to Curl Curl. It's got a good bathing area. Dee Why is great, but it's also very crowded. Curl Curl's just bit smaller.

Where else does your daughter like to go?

She just loves the zoo. We go to Taronga all the time. We're members. I asked her a year ago, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" and she said, "I want to be a stripy tiger." We'll drive miles to see Rex [a crocodile] at the [Wild Life Sydney] zoo in Darling Harbour, but getting downstairs to look through the thick glass is hard, because she's so scared.

What's your favourite bar?

The [Theatre] Bar at the End of the Wharf [at Walsh Bay]. I sit there in the daytime and learn my lines. I don't normally go to bars after plays, but with this place I do. I find after I've been to the theatre, especially if you see something like [Uncle] Vanya or Waiting for Godot, I feel like I'm in some level of blissful shock. I want to just sit for a minute before I get in a car and maybe have a chat about what we've just witnessed. It's a great place for that.

Which outdoor spot do you enjoy?

There's an amazing park [Hawthorne Canal Reserve] in Leichhardt, a huge off-leash dog park with a fabulous little coffee shop [Cafe Bones]. I have a dog, so I take him there. He invariably gets into the damn canal and comes out completely mud infested.

How do you unwind?

I love painting. I've never had a lesson, so nothing is wrong, there's no judgment when I do it. Every stripe of paint I put on that canvas is a bonus. It's very life affirming.

What cafe would you recommend?

The Hill [Eatery] in North Bondi. I have meetings there often. They do great coffee and they're open late. It's an ethical eatery, where they source local produce, and it's visually nice, with lots of wood and natural materials.

Where do you like to shop?

I get lots of things second-hand. Vinnies and Lifeline, I love them because you're actually putting a bit back. I donate all my clothes, toys, you name it. The other day, I was visiting a friend on the upper north shore and I went past a Lifeline store [at Gordon], and there were a pair of leather pants exactly the type I'd been looking for for about two years. I got them for $20 and they fit me perfectly. I was like, "Can you cut the label off?" I'm wearing these out of here.

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