Enjoy this fabulous conversation!
Mairi Barclay is a musical theatre performer who spreads joy and sunshine everywhere she goes. Some people in life are your radiators and she is HOT!! I ADORE this gal! Known as the queen of self-care, this girl knows exactly how to reframe her world into the balance that we’re all looking for. Mairi shares with us the reasons as to why resilience is key and how she has managed to navigate the choppy waters of acting so well, generously sharing her anxieties and learnings on the way.
Mairi’s journey into being a performer began at a very young age and by 10 years old Mairi knew this was her path. Growing up in Fife in a loving and supportive family, Mairi was just 13 when she moved to Glasgow to train in musical theatre alongside her classic education.
The resilience she learned in these formative years would ground her and empower her for the tough years ahead. At just 16 years old she auditioned for a place at a prestigious drama school. Having been told she was too young for her dream school of Arts Ed, she embarked on her journey at Italia Conti. Knowing only a few months in that this was not the school for her Mairi bravely left Italia Conti and re-auditioned the year after for Arts Ed where she eventually got a place. Despite there being little funding available Mairi worked a part time job and somehow, with the grit and determination she had been nurturing since the age of 10, managed to pay for her training.
Mairi shares with us the ups and downs of the industry, the incredible jobs she done and the times when she had month/years out of work. She talks about the toll this had on her mental health and the importance of her weekly therapy sessions with the industry minds councillor and ex-podcast guest, our beloved Mary Burch.
Mairi generously shares her thoughts and experiences with body positivity in the industry and how her incredible role in Lizzie at our most favourite theatre, the Hope Mill Theatre was “the job never knew she needed”. We both make a huge shout out to Will and Joe at the HMT who are leading the way in creating kind, non-judgemental, inclusive rehearsal rooms in order for actors to feel safe and thrive.
Mairi Barclay we absolutely love you. I feel happy and joyful when I’m with you. You are the light in the room.
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@mairibarclay