interview by DEMET KAMBUROGLU

Actress Alisha Weir is best known for her starring role in ‘Matilda: The Musical’. She can be currently seen playing Dracula’s merciless daughter in Universal’s horror thriller ‘Abigail’, which reimagines the 1936 Universal Classic Monsters film ‘Dracula’s Daughter’.

Alisha, you were eleven when you were cast as the titular Matilda Wormwood in the film adaptation of ‘Matilda: The Musical’ for Netflix, and ever since, you’ve been successfully continuing your acting journey. Has starting your career very early on influenced your life in any way?
Yes, I have been doing it since I was young, and I find the more I do, the more I learn and the more confident I become on set.  After having done ‘Matilda’ and ‘Abigail’, it makes me so excited to do more, and I get a real buzz reading scripts. I feel that I am enjoying it, so I will continue to keep on my acting journey.

jacket, shirt, shorts and hair bow VERSACE
socks CALZEDONIA
shoes LARROUDÉ
rings LØF
earrings LØF and FOX & BOND

Your story is truly inspiring for many aspiring actors. What is one piece of advice that you can share with other young actors?
My advice for other young actors is to never give up. Stay strong as there are a lot of NOs in this industry, but keep going. It will make you stronger and believe in yourself.

What are the challenges or gifts of being a part of musical productions?
The gift for me is that you get to do all three genres that I love in the same project, acting, singing and dancing.  At times, it can be challenging as there are a lot of rehearsals and long days, but it is so much fun and you make lots of friends.

Transitioning from theatre to film can be quite different. How did your experiences in theatre influence your approach to acting in movies?
Being on stage and screen is very different. On stage, it’s very expressive and a live audience, so no mistakes can be made. On screen, it is portraying other characters like in real life. Also, the cameraman can take many takes of the same scene, so the director can pick the best one.

dress CECILIE BAHNSEN
necklace and earrings SUSAN ALEXANDRA
rings NEVERNOT

You are starring in ‘Abigail’, the project that puts its unique twist on the 1936 Universal Classic Monsters film ‘Dracula’s Daughter’. What attracted you to this project?
Many things attracted me to this project. When I first read the script, I thought it would be so much fun. I fell in love with Abigail’s character and it is not every day you get to play a ballerina vampire. I was so excited to portray every aspect of Abigail.

jacket and skirt ACNE STUDIOS
headband & OTHER STORIES
tights CALZEDONIA
rings KATE SPADE, LØF and MELINDA MARIA
earrings LØF

‘Abigail’ presents a dual nature as both a victim and a predator in the storyline. How did you prepare to portray the complexity of this character?
To prepare for this complex character, I had a great acting coach, Nancy Banks, who really helped me understand Abigail’s character and her dynamic. I called the innocent side Abby and the vampire side Abigail, so I knew what side I was playing that day.

Delving into the horror thriller genre with your recent project, what was the most challenging aspect of filming such intense scenes?
The most challenging aspect of filming a horror film for me was getting used to being covered in blood every day. Also, I had to get used to wearing eye contacts, fangs and talking in an American accent while wearing the fangs. Abigail also had to do many stunts, which was so exciting, and I learned so much with the stunt team, but it was challenging at times.

left:
dress HUISHAN ZHANG
hair scrunchie PATOU
earrings COMPLETED WORKS and MELINDA MARIA
rings KATE SPADE and & OTHER STORIES

right:
dress SELF-PORTRAIT
shoes IZIE
hair scrunchie PATOU
tights WOLFORD

Your portfolio showcases many significant moments in acting from playing Ivanka in ‘Once’ to starring in ‘Abigail’. What lessons have you learned along the way? In which genre or production did you feel most at home? 
I have been very lucky to have worked in so many incredible productions that I have been honoured and grateful to be part of. I have loved all genres that I have been lucky to work on and I look forward to continuing to explore all types of films and productions.

What do you hope audiences take away from ‘Abigail’, especially considering its themes of power, family and the supernatural context?
I hope audiences, even those who don’t particularly like horror films, will go and see the film and enjoy the ride as it has a lot of humour in it. The cast is amazing and it brings you on a rollercoaster of emotions. We hope everyone has a great time while watching ‘Abigail’.

TEAM CREDITS:
photography BRET LEMKE
styling LAURA SOPHIE COX REPRESENTED by A-FRAME AGENCY
hair MARC MENA
make up JO STRETTELL
styling assistant RUBY SMITH-MEROVITZ
interview DEMET KAMBUROGLU
editorial director JANA LETONJA
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA