READ OUR Q&A WITH STAR OF JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

You’re currently playing Pilate in the Jesus Christ Superstar Australian tour—what has been the most rewarding part of bringing this character to life?

I've really enjoyed looking into the person behind the score; seeing how hard he tries not to give into the mob but ultimately runs out of objections and has to make the hard decision to crucify an innocent man. Finding the humanity in the role has been really rewarding.

2. Having previously played Jesus in the Scandinavian tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, how does it feel stepping into a completely different role within the same show?

Playing Jesus in Scandinavia is one of the top experiences in my musical theatre career and I will always cherish it. But this production is incredible! I’ve loved seeing the show performed by such incredible vocalists and I am so lucky to have moved into this supporting role for such a unique production.

3. You’ve had an incredible career spanning over 20 years, with roles in Les Misérables, Thriller Live and more. Is there a particular role that has had the biggest impact on you as a performer?

To be honest, every role has been really formative and I have found it invaluable to draw from the amazing performers with whom I’ve worked. I wouldn’t be the performer I am today had I not seen David Campbell tear the stage apart in Shout! or legends like Thelma Houston, Tricia Noble, Maria Mercedes, Kelley Abbey, John Paul Young, Glenn Shorrock and so many others who all have such incredible skill and even more interesting stories.

4. You’ve performed all over the world— how do Australian audiences compare to those in other countries?

Aussie audiences are honest. they don’t give you unearned cheers like an American crowd and they don’t hold back like UK audiences. I love that you absolutely know every night how well you’re going (or not), and they will jump to their feet if you get them! Oh, and everyone should get to experience the unique emotion of a Japanese audience…it’s something else.

5. Thriller Live is such a high-energy, iconic production. What was it like performing in a show dedicated to Michael Jackson’s music?

I did four tours of TL (plus covering 6 weeks for the Oz tour when a cast member had to return to the UK). I was lucky to be there to witness the development process, and to perform with so many incredible vocalists, dancers and musicians.

 Over the years I performed three different roles and sang nearly every song in the show, and who could ask for more? The MD John Maher, who arranged the show, was also the MD of the original Aus tour of RENT, and got me onboard for this and for JCS in Scandinavia.

6. When preparing for a role, do you have any specific rituals or techniques that help you connect with your character?

I generally come into rehearsals with a lot of knowledge of the character I would like to create. But most creative teams try to find something unique in their productions, so I try to remain flexible to accommodate their vision. 

Mostly though, I take cues off the other performers I’m working with. I genuinely find those artists and the text much more beneficial to my performance than anyone’s pre-conceived creative ideas, and ultimately the result is far more truthful onstage.

7. What’s the most memorable or unexpected moment you’ve experienced on stage?

I had the honour of singing Bohemian Rhapsody on a few occasions with Brian May and Roger Taylor in WWRY on the West End, which has to be my highlight. Some of my favourite memories of the show are also Brian’s many visits to my dressing room after the show with his impressive list of royal and notable friends. I have never met a smarter nor more genuine human. Never meet your hero - unless it's Brian May.

8. Over the years, theatre has evolved in many ways. How do you think musical theatre has changed since you first started performing?

I think open casting has made musical theatre much more enjoyable to watch and to listen to. A lot of the more traditional vocal and acting techniques have fallen away, largely due to the diversity of the performers now being hired for leading and starring roles. In my opinion this has made the entire experience of musical theatre far more enjoyable. I love being able to watch a scene rather than an actor, and to listen to someone’s natural, beautiful voice, rather than either the faux opera or endless “twang” of days gone by. Who could listen to Billy Porter sing Teen Angel and ever want to go back?

9. Do you have a dream role that you haven’t had the chance to play yet?

I would love to play Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. The vocal score is incredible and the role has arguably the greatest emotional range of any I've seen. I also feel like I would have something unique to offer in my approach and my style.

10. What advice would you give to aspiring performers who hope to have a long-lasting career in musical theatre?

Three things:

1. Be easy to work with... I got more than half of my roles without auditioning, purely because my peers and creatives recommended me. Nowadays, there are plenty of great performers, so no one has to put up with you if you're pain in the ass.

2. Work hard… It gets noticed by everyone around you, and it lifts the entire cast.

2. Be more pro-active than I was… I had no agent for the majority of my career and I wouldn’t audition for anything I didn’t feel right for but who knows what the Creative Team is looking for?