Meet the Cast of Rent: Grace Mouat

"She is a junkie and HIV positive"

Grace in rehearsal with Freddie Cox and the company (Photo courtesy of Front of House Photography )

Name: Grace Mouat

Character Name: Mimi Marquez

Tell us about your character: Mimi is a 19 year old erotic dancer at the cat scratch club. She is a junkie and HIV positive. She falls in love with Roger but life ends up being on the line by the end of the show.

Is there anything in your own life that helps you connect with your character? Firstly, we’re the same age! I also think our traits are similar in optimism and making the most of every day as she earnestly expresses in the song ‘No Day But Today’.

What’s your favourite song in the show and why? My favourite song is 'Seasons of Love'. Before I started rehearsals for this production I just saw the same as one of those good old iconic musical theatre songs that you always do in choirs, etc, etc. But then I realised there is so much more than that and it is actually asking what the proper way is to quantify the value of a year in human life and the most effective way is to ‘measure in love’. It’s ridiculously heart-breaking and beautifully written.

What other shows have you done? Over the summer I played Susan in Terry Pratchetts ‘Soul Music’ at the Rose Kingston Theatre in Kingston which was the best experience of my life. The show was such good fun and the creative team were super inspiring. Then I also did Pantomime over Christmas with my wonderful bezzie Mrs Francessca Mckean who is playing Maureen so we are back together for more backstage antics... watch out.

Can you recall a particularly memorable on-stage moment? I love curtain calls, they are always the part I remember the most.

Can you remember the first time you thought “I want to be in theatre”? I’ve always been interested in singing, etc. but I don’t think I was completely certain until I was about 13/14 and started seeing shows in London. I think the first was Wicked and I don’t understand how that can make any audience member not want to be painted green belting F’s at the Apollo!

What are you enjoying most about being part of Simply Theatre? I love everyone at Simply Theatre. It’s my first show with them and I just feel so welcome and humbled to be in with a group of such a wonderful, warm cast and creative team.

Is there room in your life for anything else apart from singing, dancing & acting? I am very into fitness, occasional meditation and down time and I have a job in a restaurant as a waitress and in the kitchen. All of which, I believe, keep me grounded when I need a break from the ‘stagey world’.

Rent runs from Thursday 17th September until Saturday 19th at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking - You can book here.

No Day But Today