Mary Rachel Brown: From Child Mime to Playwright
Episode Overview
Mary's early start in mime after moving to Canberra. Unique training methods, including falling out of trees. Perseverance through challenging performances, including miming in a storm. A pivotal encounter with Marcel Marceau. The end of her mime career after a traumatic incident.
When the move hit me and the pink milk was curdling with my tears and my white makeup as I ran to the toilet, I thought, this is it. It's over.
Ever wondered what it's like to be a professional child mime? In this episode of 'Days Like These — True Stories', Mary Rachel Brown takes you on a nostalgic journey through her unique career. From falling out of trees as a trust exercise to miming through electrical storms, Mary shares the highs and lows of her mime days in the late 70s and early 80s.
Starting with her family's move to Canberra, Mary's tale is filled with quirky anecdotes, like her time on a replica pirate ship and her encounter with the legendary Marcel Marceau. Her passion for mime saw her performing in all sorts of conditions, even making headlines for miming in the rain. Despite facing challenges, including a memorable incident involving a carton of strawberry milk, Mary’s story is one of resilience and reinvention.
Now a playwright, she looks back on her mime days with fondness, appreciating how it shaped her imaginative world. This episode is a delightful blend of humour and heart, perfect for anyone who loves a good story about overcoming odds and finding one's path. Ready to hear about the mime who captivated Canberra? Dive into Mary's story and be prepared to laugh, gasp, and maybe even shed a tear.