Q&A With Samantha Peo

It generally depends on what routine I’m in. If I’m rehearsing for a show, then it’s early to bed, to be ready for a day of rehearsing – with musicals we normally rehearse from 10am until 6pm every day. But once the show is up and running then we get to bed later and sleep in. But I’m definitely more of a night owl – early mornings are painful for me! I do a lot of corporate functions too, and that’s fun for me because every day is different and I love the variety. I like going to the gym, meditating – and I really need to reconnect with the yoga practice I started.

Q And your typical weekend?

If I’ve been travelling a lot, then there’s no better place to be than at home. But I love to hang out with my family, who I adore, and my very special friends. We’ll go to our favourite restaurants, see movies, go to the park for a picnic or just chill at each other’s houses.

Q What do you most enjoy about living in Jo’burg?

I’ve lived in Jo’burg since I was two-and-a-half, so I don’t really know anything else. All of my friends and family are here. One thing I do know is that this is the only place to be for the particular industry I’m in – this is where everything happens.

Q What are your favourite out-of-town escapes?

I love going to the Drakensberg to get away from everything. It’s just so beautiful and humbling. The Magaliesberg is an easy and convenient getaway because it’s so close to Jo’burg and yet you feel as if you’re far out in the country. I love leaving the city and getting out into nature and being still and not having to rush around or plan anything. Cape Town is also one of the most beautiful places to me, although it’s such a global tourist destination now, but there’s almost nothing that can compare to the sheer beauty and majesty of the place!

Q Where do you enjoy shopping?

I must say that I hate spending hours in a shopping mall! I like to buy what I need and then leave. But I do love shopping for cosmetics, clothes and, of course, shoes! I’m a definite shoe-girl! And Sandton is definitely the place to go if you want to find everything.

Q How did you become involved in theatre?

I went to the Performing Arts Workshop every day after school when I was in high school and we learned dance, drama, and music. I was involved in the productions there and then got involved in drama at school. But my love of musical theatre started at a really early age, watching old movie musicals with my mom and singing along with her. I wanted to be Debbie Reynolds! After school I just started auditioning for shows.

Q What do you enjoy most about your work?

I think it’s both a difficult and an uplifting industry to be in. A real roller-coaster ride! It can bring out all of your insecurities in a very public way, and you are always being judged for your performances. And, of course, you can never please everyone all of the time. So it’s definitely an industry you need a real passion for and the guts and determination to see it through. Of course, a core belief in yourself. But the uplifting part is winning a role and then facing the challenge and succeeding. There’s nothing better than that.

Q What prompted you to audition for Aspects of Love?

I’ve always done the modern musicals and felt ready to face the challenge of a more classical piece. I also love the dramatic content of the show, and felt the role was something I could really sink my teeth into.

Q What can people expect from the production?

A beautiful, complex tale of love won and lost and the complexities of life. It’s a really beautiful, sensitive and passionate staging of the original piece.

Q What’s been your worst-ever career disaster?

To be honest, I’ve felt really lucky and blessed at every turn of my career because I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and at the right time. But possibly the biggest disappointment at the time was getting down to the last three for the role of Eponine in Les Misérables for the London tour – and not having a work permit!

Q What do you to relax?

I love reading, and lying on my sofa watching movies. Bliss!

Q What’s your message to Sandton?