Kirsty MacLaren reflects on her blossoming career

Barrhead’s own Kirsty MacLaren is making a splash across stages on both sides of the Atlantic. Speaking to Mill Magazine, she reflects on her blossoming career, imposter syndrome and much more

At the time of our interview with Kirsty MacLaren, she was killing time in a Travelodge in Inverness prior to a performance of Restless Natives: The Musical that evening. The waiting is every bit as drudgerous as it sounds. But for Kirsty, the minor sacrifices that come with life on the road pale into insignificance when she gets the chance to take to the stage. 

Stepping into this adaptation of the cult classic Scottish film during its first ever production, this mixture of pressure and possibility that comes with taking a role for its maiden voyage is one that Kirsty isn’t just accustomed to by now, but actively relishes. 

“We’re right into the swing of it now, which is good,” Kirsty beamed. “There’s so many fans of the film coming, as well as people who’ve never seen it. There’s a good few Big Country in there, as well as original music from Tim Sutton which taps into the themes of those songs.” 

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Now accustomed to undertaking roles like this, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Kirsty always felt she was destined to act for a living. However, that wasn’t always as clear as you’d expect. 

“I always enjoyed performing as a kid, but I didn’t think it was something I was going to do as a job. I used to want to be a lawyer when I was like seven, but I always kind of just fell into it.

“After my time at PACE, I went to Knightswood. Then, when I was applying to drama schools, I got accepted to study French and English at Glasgow as a backup. But, I wound up getting into the Conservatoire and the rest is history. I’ve always felt really lucky to do my hobby for a job, it’s really nice. 

Kirsty MacLaren on the cover of Mill Magazine

“I think any actor will tell you that’s part of the job,” she said of the imposter syndrome that comes with being able to perform as their livelihood. “That ability to deal with it is just what comes with it, but people keep hiring me so that will keep me going till I get found out (laughs). It will happen one day! 

“The amount of people who meet on jobs now who went to Pace is amazing,” Kirsty reflected in regards to her career origins with Paisley’s famed Youth Theatre. “Even when there are times when you don’t realise, it suddenly all clicks into place and you’re like, of course you did! They have such an amazing reach, so they’re clearly doing things the right way as everyone comes out knowing what they’re doing.” 

Following her time at drama school, Kirsty found one of her first big roles when she portrayed the brash character of Manda in Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, the acclaimed Lee Hall stage show based on Alan Warner’s novel The Sopranos which has since been made into a major motion picture. 

For Kirsty MacLaren, the role became “one of those jobs that just kept giving”. 

“One of my goals coming out of studying was to work with National Theatre of Scotland. The initial spec was that they were looking for six girls who could sing, act and look 16 and that was perfect as I always play children (laughs).

“I didn’t even realise that it was Lee Hall, who’d written Billy Elliott, The Pitmen Painters and all this other amazing work. I just thought I was doing this wee Scottish show. 

“We got to travel the world with it and I love originating roles as you really get a chance to explore it. It’s so lovely to see your interpretation really be taken on and become the one that is really represented on the stage. So many funny things happened on that tour and it’s just one of those jobs that don’t come around all that often.”

Photo by Graeme Hewitson, ©Mill Magazine

Following this tenure on Our Ladies which led to her West End debut, Kirsty would continue to be entrusted as the one to set the standard for a role in shows like Protest and Life Line. 

In the case of the latter, being cast in the show about Alexander Fleming’s famed discovery of penicillin not only taught her more than she ever wanted to know about the vital issue of antimicrobial resistance, but gave her the chance to perform off-Broadway in New York for five weeks. 

“That was one of the times where I was like, I can’t believe this is my life,” she considers. “It’s one of those bucket list things that not everyone gets the chance to tick off.

“Living in Manhattan and coming to work here every day was a dream come true. I never quite felt like it was real. There’s a real appreciation for the arts there, so it’s a joy to work out there.” 

Photo by Graeme Hewitson, ©Mill Magazine

Although much of her work has been in stage shows, Kirsty has made the occasional segue onto the small screen too. However, she’ll be hard pushed to get a better scene partner than when she appeared alongside Helena Bonham Carter in The Crown. 

“She was absolutely amazing,” Kirsty remarked. “To learn from her was an incredible experience. I was so scared to say it was my first telly role, but I told her after the shoot and she said that she wished I’d told her. Helena is so creative and there’s no hierarchy with her, you’re both there to do your job. 

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with some big actors and everyone is always happy to share their expertise. At the end of the day, acting is an apprenticeship and you’re constantly learning. So, particularly older actors want to do that as helping young people explore their craft is part of the gig. 

When she’s not on the screen or stage, Kirsty works at the University of West London as a lecturer in musical theatre and even moonlights as a fitness instructor from time to time after hosting online classes during lockdown.

Photo by Graeme Hewitson, ©Mill Magazine

Yet when it comes to her first love, she is always focused on getting a project that inspires her and she loves the process of discovering it. 

“It’s all about finding the next good bit of work that I want to do, but part of the fun of that is never knowing exactly what that is. There’s a couple of irons in the fire though, so it’s exciting. 

“You need to keep grafting,” Kirsty said of the mentality needed to succeed. “You will get the rewards and if you’re up for that constant evolution, then it can be the best career in the world. But above all, remember that you get to play every day for your job. Don’t forget that.”

Clearly, Kirsty is leading by example in this sense. As in every syllable, both her enthusiasm for her artform and the feeling of satisfaction that it’s a permanent fixture of her life is present in abundance.

So, with an attitude like that, it’s fair to say that we’ll be seeing much more of Kirsty in theatres, on TV and perhaps even in films in the years to come. Because when you love something the way she does, it’s nothing short of infectious. 

Q&A with Kirsty MacLaren

Dream Musical Theatre Role? Being in Romeo & Juliet and Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Favourite Workout Song? Eye To Eye from The Goofy Movie soundtrack, it’s an absolute banger! 

Musical Theatre Karaoke Song? Astonishing from Little Women. 

Follow Kirsty MacLaren on Instagram.