Nadia's curry is reason to be cheerful

Reasons to be Cheerful, the latest production from Graeae Theatre Company, is a coming of age tale of Ian Dury fans desperate to see him at the Hammersmith Odeon. Nadia Albina who plays Janine takes on our ten questions with the zeal of a new convert to punk.

What are your reasons to be cheerful?
Walnut whips, autumn, singing, birthdays, birthday cake and the very funny book Reasons to Be Cheerful by Mark Steel. 

What excites you about this play?
It is a celebration of Ian Dury, his music and legacy. To be honest I only really knew Hit Me! but the music has been amazing. It’s so infectious. There’s been lots of moshing and jumping around. It’s a wonderful celebration of disability. 

Do you have anything in common with the character of Janine?
We have growing up in common. She discovers what she’s about. She reminds me of who I used to be. She has no confidence but has bags of attitude. That can come across as stroppy but she‘s gentle and sweet and vulnerable. 

What do you like most about acting?
I love the creativity of finding a character. It‘s about people and understanding them, getting to know them. It is about human nature and learning to get to the heart of someone. 

What do you like least about it?
Not working!

How do casting directors react to your disability?
I’ve had some very positive reactions. It took a long time for me to get an agent, and I worried about how the industry would react to my arm. I’d never been to the theatre or cinema and seen an actor whose disability was incidental. I hadn’t seen any disabled actors. However, I met a few producers and casting directors who were keen to initiate change, and they all happened to be from the BBC. I’d go to meetings and talk to them about how they could improve things and I was so happy that some listened. I’ve really seen change in the last year and I’m encouraged for the future.

What makes you angry?
Lack of awareness and ignorance – my own especially! 

If you were Prime Minister, what would you do to improve things for disabled people?
Disability is still on the fringes of society’s consciousness and still sidelined. I’d bring more awareness to society and more integration.

Who’s your favourite disabled person ever?
Harriet Tubman, Beethoven or Christy Brown: I can’t pick!

Do you have any special or hidden talents?
I love to sing and I make a great Thai curry!