Cammeray local and actor Rachel Gordon is passionate about theatre, with each role being a voyage of self-discovery.
Growing up on Sydney’s North Shore, Rachel Gordon always knew she wanted to act. Since graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) in 1996, the Cammeray resident has accumulated a long string of accolades.
She is known for her roles in television shows such as Blue Heelers, The Moody’s and The Secret Daughter. Her on-stage credits include The Almighty Sometimes, Jasper Jones, Daylight Saving and more.
North Shore Living sat down to talk to Rachel about her latest role in Mr Bailey’s Minder at the Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli.
In Mr Bailey’s Minder, artist Leo has been ravaged by alcohol abuse and self-loathing.
Leo needs round-the-clock care and Therese, fresh out of prison, steps in as his carer, determined to fix everything.
Rachel plays the role of his daughter Margo, who has stuck around despite her father’s bad behaviour.
“It’s interesting how my character Margo has learned to live with that and not have any expectations of a normal father- daughter relationship,” Rachel says. “But for her to make her own peace she has to really protect herself. Sometimes he’s good, but sometimes he’s very cruel.”
Leo’s character is played by beloved Australian actor John Gaden. “It’s so funny that John Gaden’s playing a very cruel man when (he’s) actually the nicest man in the entire industry, as far as I’m concerned!” Rachel says.
Rachel grew up watching John, and playing his daughter is a real honour.
“He’s an extraordinary man. At 81, he’s doing such an extraordinary job. He’s just a marvel to watch in the room,” she says.
Written 20 years ago by Australian writer Debra Oswald, Rachel says Mr Bailey’s Minder is timeless.
“I think that speaks to what a great writer Debra is. There’s an almost mythic epic quality to the story of the family. It’s very domestic at home, but the themes are very universal. Everybody knows what it feels like to need to protect themselves because they’ve been hurt by someone they love.
“There are so many extraordinary creatives in the world who struggle with addiction,” Rachel says. “I guess it’s one of those things where some people whose light shines so brightly find it difficult to manage day to day. They medicate with alcohol.”
Rachel loves her on-screen roles but has always held a special love for theatre.
“I love theatre because the audience becomes very much a part of the storytelling experience. They become like another character in the show. It’s very immediate,” she says. “But also because the theatre is one of the only places in the world where you can’t be attached to your mobile phone!
The actor adds she thinks it is ‘really special’ for the audience to be able to laugh together or look down the aisle and see someone crying. “Sharing that experience together is kind of sacred in today’s world.”
Rachel says that sometimes her personal life is reflected in her characters and it’s like a voyage of self-discovery.
“(There is) the extraordinary magical way that art and life for so many artists starts to kind of blend or mirror each other. Often, I’ll be going through something in my life that will then be reflected in the roles that I get cast in.
“The characters that you play become like lovers or people that you’ve been with in a relationship that you never forget. They change you. And every role has introduced or reacquainted me with a different part of myself.”
Mr Bailey’s Minder is a redemption story, that demonstrates the transformative power of compassion in the face of trouble. It is playing at the Ensemble until 2 September.