Feature Friday – Davina Carrete

Davina Carrete is an incredible, multi talented woman, you may have seen her in a variety of shows or performances in Hong Kong including our very own ‘Murder on the Dance Floor’ Murder Mystery party last Halloween. She is an amazing actress with fantastic comedy timing and a super engaging performer, she’s a singer, songwriter, guitar player, English teacher…oh and a holistic therapist too – is there nothing this woman can’t do?

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi there, My name is Davina. I am originally from London, England. I found home in Hong Kong after lots of travelling. It is the perfect city for me at this point in my life. I love food and don’t love noisy eaters!

2. How long have you been in Hong Kong and what do you do?

Arrived in Hong Kong one year and four months ago. I teach drama, guitar and English. I perform and entertain at kids parties, I am also a qualified massage and reflexology therapist. I love taking part in different theatre projects in my spare time.

3. How did you discover your talent/when did you discover your passion?

The first memory of making people laugh was when I was 10 years old. I got a part in a play. My character was called Susie Sneak the Secret Saboteur, she had an unfortunate lisp.

4. What do you love most about what you do?

It has to be the laughter during lessons, rehearsals and performance!

5. What/who inspires you to do what you do?

When I watch/experience comedy or theatre that doesn’t make me go wow, I think about why and how I would have done it and that motivates me to do something better.

6. What’s been your favourite piece/project that you’ve worked on?

Oo thats a toss up between an improv group I have just joined, Karate Tuesday or The Crucible with Aurora Theatre. Both challenging and fulfilling for different reasons. Improv makes me so happy and The Crucible left me in a strange place when dealing with my poor old stoic character, Elizabeth Proctor.

7. What’s been the most challenging piece/project so far?

The most challenging project is also both mentioned in the previous question! Comedy is continual process of fine tuning and working well with the other performers. The Crucible was a long play rehearsed over a long period of time which deals with tragedy. As comedy feels natural, sadness and being strong was a hard place to obtain and then to perform on stage.

8. Can you take us on a brief journey of how you bring a project together?

I am hoping to put on a well known musical outside on the island that I live on (Lamma) and also my first play that I am still writing! They have both gone through different stages which mostly consist of excited sleepless nights and battling doubt! Hopefully this well then go through fruition, sleepless worrying nights to sheer satisfaction and joy!

9. Are there any photos that you would like to share with us?

‘Murder on the Dance Floor’, Halloween 2016.                                              Karate Tuesdays @ Manila Improv Festival,

March 2017.