Laura Pradelska was born and raised in Frankfurt, Germany. After spending several years in Los Angeles, she relocated to London in 2005 and trained at the Drama Centre London.
Laura’s stage credits include: Faith in Still Life At The Sushi Bar at The Leicester Square Theatre, a role for which she was awarded Best Actor at the 2010 Fringe Report Awards, and Eva Braun in Summit Conference for which she was nominated by OffWestEnd.com for Best Female Performance 2011. Laura also recently starred in Knuckleball at the Rosemary Branch Theatre. In 2012 she was cast as Quaithe in the HBO series Game of Thrones and she returns to filming for the show later this year.
Laura is currently starring in Dogstar at the Tabard Theatre. Written by Greg Freeman and directed by Ken McClymont, Dogstar delves into mankind’s obsession with ownership.
Recently I spoke to Laura about accepting her role in Dogstar before she had even read the script, how Games Of Thrones has changed her life and why she enjoys performing in such intimate theatres such as the Tabard…
How is Dogstar going so far?
Very well I think! There have been no major dramas! It’s a very exciting play and we have had lovely audiences.
What was it that attracted you to the production?
To be honest it was a no-brainer for me! I have worked with both the director, Ken McClymont, and the writer, Greg Freeman, before. I’ve seen lots of Greg’s work as well and am a big fan! I was offered the role and didn’t even ask what it was – I just said yes! Which is something I wouldn’t do normally, usually I would read the script first. I just knew that whatever it was it was going to be great, fun, outlandish, weird and a challenge – and it turned out to be just that!
So when you eventually sat down and read the script what were your initial reactions?
I had to read Greg’s script a few times and then put it away. Initially I thought “oh it’s a comedy, it’s light.” But then I thought about it, went back to the script and read it again and realised “wait a minute, I didn’t even get half of this!” There is a whole intricate storyline woven into the play. Every line Greg writes means more than what it says. Even up until opening night I was still figuring things out!
Dogstar is a new piece of writing. Do you enjoy starting from scratch and creating a role?
I love it! I am a huge supporter of new writing. When I go to the theatre I try and see as much new writing as possible. I’m not opposed to doing anything, but new writing is something which I think is very important and I think eventually Greg’s plays will be produced over and over again because they are just so fantastic.
You are part of a very small cast. What are they like to work with?
Oh they’re brilliant! I’ve known most of them for a while so already knew how fantastic they were before we started rehearsing. I’m the only woman in a production full of guys which I love [laughs]! I get all the perks when you’re the only female which sounds awful, but we’ve had so much fun and have laughed so much!
The Tabard is a very small theatre. Do you enjoy that kind of intimacy?
It really is very intimate and since I’ve graduated I’ve done lots of off-West End so I am very, very used to it, it doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I like it. You can’t get away with anything and you can’t ever switch off because you’re so close to the audience. It’s a challenge! I also love being in the audience in a small theatre because you can watch the actors closely. I just try not to eat any garlic before the show [laughs]!
You are best known for starring in Game Of Thrones. When you accepted the role did you have any idea how the programme was going to change your life?
No, not at all. I had no idea! Obviously I knew it was a big deal and that it was the biggest thing I had been offered but I didn’t know the ramifications that would come along with it. You can’t imagine something like that until it happens.
"You can’t get away with anything and you can’t ever switch off because you’re so close to the audience. I just try not to eat any garlic before the show!"
What is it like working on the show? You must have really grown with it?
It has been an amazing ride! I want it to go on forever! I’m such good friends with the cast and of course professionally. It’s given me a fan base and done such wonderful things for my career and to be a part of something that people can identify with and feel so passionately about is more than I ever thought possible.
Do you purposely try and do a mixture of television and stage work?
As an actor it’s not like I have a million projects to choose from. If I’m lucky enough to be cast in something, I tend to do it – unless it’s something I really don’t like and something which is completely unpaid for [laughs]. I’m really grateful to be in a position to do both television and theatre work, in an ideal world I would continue to do this for the rest of my life.
You mentioned your fan base earlier, what is it like having so much support behind you?
I love it! I don’t have an issue with it, I know some people stay away from Twitter but I like to keep in touch with fans. I think it’s a good thing; I attend all the conventions and have only had positive experiences. It’s a big part of my life and I hope it stays that way, I really enjoy it! That’s the reason we do the show – because it entertains peoples! They often come and support my theatre work, and therefore support new writing and fringe theatre, so it is a win win situation!
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Dogstar runs at the Tabard Theatre until 30th November 2013.
Please visit www.tabardweb.co.uk for further information and tickets.
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