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Cat and Mouse, a play written and directed by the prolific Tom Sainsbury, is a three hander and uncomfortable love triangle…for two actors. Renee Liang interviews Roberto Nascimento and Elizabeth McGlinn.

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The versatile pairing of Roberto and Elizabeth tackle the story of a guy who meets two very different women and embarks on an affair with both… only in this game, who is cheating who? Renee Liang tries to find out more.

How did you get involved in this play? Did Tom write the roles specifically for you two?

Roberto: Tom actually wrote the original draft three years ago, for a couple of his friends in Australia. It was performed it in Sydney and Melbourne. I’ve always liked the script and wanted to do it, then at the end of last year things just worked out and the play became available. Luckily, Tom agreed to direct (this is his first time directing it, first time NZ audiences will see it) and we invited Liz to join. Then we all got together to workshop the script and Tom wrote a new draft.

Liz: Roberto asked me to do the play - Tom didn't write the roles for us, it has been performed before, but not in NZ I think.

Have you worked together before?

Liz: Not yet!

Roberto: Yes, I have worked with Tom a few times before and I love him – he’s a wonderful director and all around awesome guy. He always challenges me and helps me go to places I haven’t been before, so I feel we are a good match. This is my first time working with Liz and she is incredibly talented and lovely – a true trooper. I completely trust her and Tom and that makes my job much more enjoyable.   

What was the most challenging part of this play to rehearse?

Roberto: I’ve never done a two hander, so that keeps me on my toes. Tom, Liz and I spent a lot of time talking about the characters and once our choices were made, and then everything sort of made sense. Our time together is always precious, so we just throw ourselves into the work and smash it.

Liz: We haven't actually done much rehearsing yet, just a couple of read-throughs, as Tom and Roberto are super busy working on another show at the moment.

A guy who sleeps with a shy girl out of pity; a confident, predatory woman - did you draw on people you know when developing your characters? How much 'research' did you do?

Liz: There are aspects of the characters that will be familiar to most people I think - I've definitely come across people who have behaved in similar ways to these three, on my travels.

Roberto: My main research is watching people. Second, I try not to judge my character (also called Roberto), who is a self obsessed artist; his personality comes from a collection of people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had over the years. In his own way, he means well and is trying to deal with his flaws. I search for similarities between us and use that as a starting point.

Is this going to be an uncomfortable play to watch?

Liz: I hope not! No I don't think so …

Roberto: There’ll be awkward lols. My feeling is that people will perhaps recognize certain situations in the play that might be close to home. That can be uncomfortable, or exciting, or funny – depends on the person watching.

Any secrets you can reveal ahead of time?

Liz: No, I couldn't possibly reveal any secrets…

Roberto: We get naked! No, just joking... we make out a few times, though. People will be challenged to think about how they deal with rejection. And I’m hoping they’ll talk about the show after watching it.

How does working with Tom push your craft?

Liz: Getting me on to a stage! It's been a couple of years.

Roberto: Tom knows exactly what he wants and he knows how to get it from us. I trust him, the process is enjoyable and relaxed, our common goal is to put a good show on – that means I work extra hard to honor his words and do the play justice.

What are you working on next?

Liz: I'm doing continuity on a TV series!

Roberto: I’ll be going overseas for a month (first holiday in seven years!), then when I get back I’ll have no job or money – so the natural thing to do is to go straight into a new play, written by my friend Louis Mendiola (who wrote Play Me Deadly!, that I produced and performed in 2012). It’ll be a fun show and I will play a bunch of characters – including a Chihuahua (of course). And I’m working on a short film that I’m trying to get some funding, with the help of pledgeme. Good projects, with good people – I’m a lucky dude!