5 minute read
Something Wicked this way comes
Seaford resident Eli Cooper speaks to Sarah Halfpenny about his actionpacked journey from local theatre to the grand stage of Melbourne's Regent Theatre in the iconic musical Wicked.
Tell us about your role as a ‘swing’ and what it entails.
A swing in a musical is a human insurance policy for the show. We come in on day one of rehearsals with everybody, but while they’re learning the role they’ll be performing each night, we are learning what every single person on the stage will be doing. We’re then called upon day by day to step in and perform any of their roles if they’re sick or injured or just taking a day off. I am an onstage swing in Wicked, so I have my own role I perform each night, plus I understudy the principal role of Dr Dillamond and ‘swing’ – know and step in as – the nine male presenting ensemble members. So I have 11 people’s jobs in my head to be ready to ‘swing’ in for at a moment’s notice, which is a lot.
How does it feel to be part of such an iconic musical?
It has sincerely been one of my biggest career goals my whole life to be in Wicked. I’ve auditioned for it over the years more times than I could count; sometimes I’ve made it all the way through the process, sometimes I’ve been cut super early. To finally be a part of a show that has been so important to me since I first heard the soundtrack has been so rewarding.
What has your journey been like from the local community to performing on a renowned stage like the Regent Theatre?
I adore the stage and the backstage energy at the Frankston Art Centre. It holds so many incredible memories for me of all the time I spent there performing with local theatre companies like PLOS and Panorama Theatre Company. I got to perform there as a professional for the first and only time a few years back for the Festival of Lights live stream, which was very special to me. The Regent feels very different; it’s got the quirks you expect of an old building. Most of the backstage time we spend is actually under the stage, and if you take a wrong turn down a corridor you’ll need Google Maps to find your way back. But this being my fourth time performing here, it has begun to feel a little like my ‘home ground’ in a sense.
What inspired you to pursue a career in musical theatre?
I trained at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, thinking when I began I would pursue a career as a ballet dancer because I loved dance so much. During my training my focus shifted away from ballet towards more modern styles of dance. I fell head over heels in love with musical theatre as an art form. I began performing for the local theatre companies and I was hooked. I knew it was all I wanted to do and I was going to work with all of my being to be up on stages like the Regent.
Could you share any memorable moments or experiences you've had while performing in Wicked?
I have already made so many fantastic memories being on this show. But nothing is funnier than an onstage mishap in my opinion. So far on this tour of Wicked I have managed to ride a bike into a set piece onstage, been wiped out by a flying monkey exiting the stage, caught my own wings on a curtain and clothes-lined myself, and missed a scene because I was already one song ahead in my mind. I’m very excited to keep making people giggle at my misfortune.
How does it feel to work alongside such esteemed theatre figures as Simon Burke, Robyn Nevin and Courtney Monsma?
It’s actually so easy to forget just how incredible our company is. Our principal cast are outstanding leaders, and our ensemble is comprised of some of the most talented, respected musical theatre artists, either established or up and coming. But they’re just colleagues and mates now. I’ll find myself, for example, having general chit chat with Robyn Nevin about her love of finding the best cakes in town, which she always brings in and gifts to the ensemble, and I think ‘Gosh, she’s thoughtful’. Then it hits you that you’re being given a treat by an Order of Australia recipient who is one of our country’s most awarded and impressive actors. It’s pretty wild.
