INTERVIEW: EPONINE LEE GOES WILD in TAILS FROM THE CITY at EVERGREEN BRICK WORKS

At 8:30 AM on the last week of school before the Christmas break, Eponine Lee took  some time before she left for class to speak with me about her star turn, this holiday season, in TAILS FROM the CITY at EVERGREEN BRICKWORKS.

Not only is she the star, but she was also the playwright's muse.  "My aunty Majorie (Chan) wrote the play for me," she explained during our breakfast on the phone chat last week.

Her father, Richard explains that aunty is an honorific.  Marjorie Chan and Lee's mother, director Nina Aquino are long-time friends and colleagues. Though the role was created with her in mind, it wasn't handed to her.  Eponine had a four hour interview with the show's director, Jennifer Brewin before being selected to take on the part.

It's not Eponine's first acting gig.  She was in CARRIED AWAY ON THE CREST OF A WAVE, at the Tarragon two seasons back.  She's also been in two plays at school.

Acting outdoors is different, she tells me.  For one thing, she has to run from scene to scene.  "The audience gets to walk, but we run." I ask about her favourite part of the play. " Oh The Wild Dinner Party! " Her character,  Bille has dinner with a fox, squirrels and, it being Toronto, a raccoon. "There's real food.  Carrots, buns and chips." Then she explains, "They're not REAL wild animals.  They're actors."  Has she seen any real wild animals at the Brickworks?  Yes, squirrels, birds, but so far, no raccoons.

When she's not acting, she's reading, playing with her toy Yorkie and hanging out with friends and family. She has quite a broad taste in literature.  We discussed everything from Geronimo and the Kingdom of Fantasy to Charlotte's Web and Archie comics. 

Miss Lee is not neglecting her studies.  She only missed two days of school during the strenuous tech period.  Otherwise, she was a full-time student with a full-time job until this weekend, not an easy task for an actor of any age.

She does get a few days off at Christmas.  What would she like for Christmas, I wondered?  Shopkins, an armadillo puppet, and a little dog on a leash.

There are rumours Santa puts in an appearance in TALES... I hope Eponine got a chance to tell him what she wants: or perhaps he'll read this post.  She's certainly been a good, hard-working girl this season, and I think she well deserves a few treats, along with a rest, and some time with her family. After Boxing Day she continues performing until the 30th.  I can't wait to see her!

TAILS FROM THE CITY plays at Evergreen Brickworks from December 10-30 at 7:30 PM and matinees at 4:30 PM on the 19/21/23  THERE ARE NO PERFORMANCES ON DECEMBER 13/20/24/25/26  http://www.wintertheatre.brownpapertickets.com