Pearl Mackie
ELLA GAUCI speaks to the star of Ballet Shoes about queer representation, chosen family and childhood dreams
Dinosaur bones, fossils and scientific sketches overflow on the National Theatre’s stage. As the lights dim there is a delighted buzz in the air, aided partially by the ballerinas which have popped up throughout the theatre. Around me there are women of all generations sitting in wait for the story to begin. Regardless of your age, there is something spellbinding that takes place – a kind of magic that fills the air – when Pearl Mackie comes on stage as 12-year-old orphan Sylvia.
Taking on the role of the hardworking guardian Sylvia in Kendall Feaver’s adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s classic book Ballet Shoes, Pearl is returning once again to the National Theatre for yet another knockout performance. She previously appeared at the iconic London venue to perform the powerful verbatim play Grenfell: In The Words Of Survivors. You may have also seen her in Netflix’s hit show The Diplomat last year, or remember her trailblazing role as Bill Potts in Doctor Who – the first lesbian companion of any Doctor.