Christine Anu on being a grandmother, nervous habits, and her role in a Broadway musical

Award-winning songwriter and actor Christine Anu opens up about her role in a Broadway musical, being a grandmother, and her woolly nervous habits.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m honoured to be playing Hermes in the Australian production of acclaimed West End and Broadway musical phenomenon Hadestown, alongside a stellar cast and amazing creative team.

Anais Mitchell’s songs and music, together with director Rachel Chavkin, have created something really special that you’ll want to sing again and again. It opened at The Theatre Royal Sydney this month and will go to Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne in May.

Hermes is the messenger between gods and mortals, and is portrayed as the narrator who runs a bar and guides Orpheus throughout the story. Orpheus’ mama is a friend of Hermes, which might be the reason they’re kind of looking after the young fella.

When I received the material for my audition, I was immediately struck by how familiar, yet different it felt … like great bands at a folk festival, or something like that, except the excerpt I got was only part of the story. It didn’t sound like any musical I’d done before, and that was instantly appealing to me. It had a cool New Orleans jazz band feel and the lyrics and melodies were spicy and more-ish!

Hadestown is about love, hope, doubt, resilience … the message is that it’s worth the effort of trying even if we know we’re going to fail.

How would you describe yourself?

Laid back and quiet in work situations and I take a little minute to warm up.

How do others describe you?

Hardworking, generous, loyal and some might say I’m funny – but not my kids.

Christine Anu says she is “laid back and quiet in work situations”.

What is most important to you?

My family, my gorgeous grandson and good manners. I especially like people who push their chair in. I really appreciate that. It’s what I was taught growing up.

What is the last thing you read, watched, ate, listened to?

I read the Hadestown libretto, watched the true crime channel, ate Whitaker’s Creamy Hazelnut chocolate, and listened to Anais Mitchell’s Hadestown soundtrack.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A schoolteacher or a ballerina.

When she was a kid, Christine wanted to be a schoolteacher or a ballerina. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian

If you had one wish, what would it be?

To have my dear mum for one more year! We just commemorated Mum’s ‘first Christmas’ since her passing, at Great Keppel Island (Woppa). It was one of her favourite places, as well. We were our happiest together there on the shoreline with the waves lapping gently as we collected shells and told yarns. I was also the happiest hanging out with my old girl.

I always took my parents there on an outing when I would go visit them. It’s always calling me back.

You can stay in the villas or just stay for the day … there’s a lot to do, or just do nothing but bathe or lie in the shade until the ferry leaves. You can bring your own food and beverage or hang at the bar with live music.

Christine Anu and family with loving matriarch Zipporah Whap. Her greatest wish would be to have one more year with her mum.

Tell us a secret. What is one thing people may not know about you?

I have an annoying habit of picking the wool off soft things and rolling it into balls. It’s a nervous habit – anything woolly, I’ll pick at the yarn and roll it into little balls. Then, I have the task of picking them all up afterwards.

My mum would roll her eyes and clean up after me. I’ve been doing it since I was a little girl.

What has been your proudest moment?

Becoming a grandma and being close to my gorgeous grandson while I’m in Sydney on Hadestown.

What has been your toughest period?

Recently, my mother’s passing and navigating work and commitments while dealing with such deep grief.

What do you wish we could do more about?

Global warming – our beautiful islands are at risk of being swallowed by the ocean. I wish the federal government would take this issue seriously, but no one seems to be doing anything about it.

Neil Murray and Christine Anu at the APRA Awards in 1995 where she won with the song My Island Home. Picture: Supplied

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

I’d love the power to instantly turn someone’s terrible day into sunshine with just a click – or the ability to turn back time.

What is the kindest thing anyone has ever said to you?

There have been so many kind words, but one that stands out is: “You have no idea what joy you have brought to my family.”

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Why?

On a physical, emotional, and mental level, I wish I could make more time to take care of myself.

Hadestown is playing at the Theatre Royal until April 26

Originally published as Christine Anu on being a grandmother, nervous habits, and her role in a Broadway musical