MEET Ian Stenlake
1. You’re currently starring in The 39 Steps, what excites you most about performing in such a fast-paced, comedic show?
Working with The Umbilical Brothers and Lisa McCune is the high-octane excitement of working in The 39 Steps. Being a flat-out piece of comic art, the show demands razor-sharp focus, and it's super exciting to share these moments with three of Australia's best! Oh, and don't forget, it's all in the... timing!
2. The production requires so much versatility, with actors playing dozens of characters. What’s been the most challenging (or hilarious) transformation for you?
I'm playing Richard Hannay, which is the only single role, and he features in all but two of the 33 scenes! Trying to maintain composure while all hell is breaking loose around me is the ultimate challenge. And by hell, I mean hilarious misadventure!!
3. You’ve performed across film, TV, theatre and cabaret. Is there one medium that feels like “home” for you as an actor?
It's the diversity of the industry that I've always found attractive, and so I feel at home now across all the mediums. Having said that, I'm still learning all the time and right now, I’d love to get back on a film or TV set, as it's starting to feel like it's been too long!
4. As part of The Leading Men, you’ve sung alongside some of the greats. What was your favourite song to perform, and why?
A standout performance for me was singing Queen's We Are the Champions, accompanied by the Victorian State Orchestra. Being enveloped by the sound of around 70 brilliant musicians felt like living some sort of cinematic dream.
The Leading Men also got to sing at some incredible fundraisers a memorable one was for Shane Warne's charity, MC'd by Michael Parkinson.
5. If you could swap places for a night with any of your 39 Steps castmates, which role would you secretly love to play?
I would secretly just love to have the talent and experience of either one of the Umbilical Brothers. Working opposite Shane and David each night is a masterclass of dexterity and fearsome comic chops. As for Lisa and her three extraordinary characters including the outrageous femme fatale Annabella Schmidt no one could go close to emulating that... so yeah, I'd secretly love to play her role too!!
6. Fans often remember you best for Sea Patrol. Do you still get stopped and called “Commander Flynn” in public?
During the COVID total lockdowns, I managed to get out of the house by delivering packages for Amazon Flex. I was surprised by the number of customers who loved receiving their orders from Commander Flynn.
Just a couple of weeks ago, when The 39 Steps opened in Newcastle, Lisa and I were asked to send a photo and message of support to our TV interviewer’s sister, who is currently serving in the Navy and joined because of Sea Patrol.