Interview Time
Meet The Cast Of The Vegemite Tales
As a tribute to the Aussie contingent in the St Christopher's crowd I decided to dedicate this month's Interview Time to the cast of the Vegemite Tales. I was lucky enough to get into the opening night of the show's new run at a bigger and better theatre in Leicester Square and later on, the crew were kind enough to oblige me with a interview. Here's what Andrew Robb, Blair McDonough, Jonathon Dutton and Jessica Gerger had to say for themselves.
Andrew
You mentioned that word of mouth helps to keep The Vegemite Tales packed to the rafters. What do you think it is about the play that keeps people talking about it, year after year?
The Vegemite Tales is essentially a sitcom on stage about a flatshare – and as one critic said: “it's a bit like watching an Aussie version of Friends”. Most people have shared a flat at some point, either in London or back home and that is what makes the show so popular – as well as being very fast and funny, it is very easy to relate to. That also makes it popular with people that don't normally go to the theatre. We are very lucky to have such a supportive audience – they come to the show and then go home and tell their mates about it.
You produce and star in The Vegemite Tales. What are the toughest aspects of juggling these two positions and what do you want to get involved with after the success of this play?
I love acting in The Vegemite Tales, it's just bloody good fun. We have as much fun doing it as the audiences do watching it, so it is very addictive. When Melanie Tait, the playwright went back home, it seemed like a natural progression to take over the production side as well. I still feel very lucky to have had the opportunity, so it's not that tough doing both really. I guess the hardest thing is having to get up a bit early to work on the production side when the rest of the cast are enjoying a good sleep after a big night out after the show. I'd love to get involved in developing a television version – it is made for it, so that might be next.
Blair
We recently covered the Toast New Zealand and Australia weekend where you embarked on a rather daring cook off against Melbourne's finest - Kath and Kim. What was it like to work with the ladies and what was it about them that cracked you up the most?
What an absolute joy to be involved in any capacity with the funniest of Australia's Leading Ladies. There cooking capabilities echoed their mottos in life, interesting texture with a tasty filling. Just to meet them before going on stage and seeing them be so giggly and enjoying what they do so much made it an awesome experience as the transformation when they got on stage was mind blowing. And because of that there was no chance in keeping a straight face.
What are the major points of difference between your career on neighbours and your career on the London stage?
Neighbours was such an amazing learning ground for every other job that I have done since and even during my time at Neighbours. I guess, because of that training, when approaching new jobs in different genres, such as stage, the experience is totally different as each time you are prepared with great tools and have a little bit more of an understanding on how to use them. Neighbours not only gave me a great appreciation for acting and the discipline it takes, but also for the hundreds of people who work so hard to get the show to the screen. That appreciation makes me look at the crews who work backstage in a theatre with such respect. The Vegemite Tales is in itself a fairly simply set-up, but the pace at which it runs and natural franticness makes it a challenge for everyone involved, myself included! Hope you enjoy it!
Jonathon
You're stuck on a dessert island filled with the most annoying, D-List celebrities ever to come out of the global Big Brother machine. In front of you there's a cattle prod and an emergency escape hatch. Which option do you go for and why?
Well that depends really... if I go for the cattle prod can I still have access to the emergency escape hatch? If so, cattle prod for sure. I've always been a fan of prodding people in a mental sense so I can't see why that wouldn't translate physically... particularly precious celebrities - they need to be prodded. Or smacked. Or escaped from. If the door to the emergency escape hatch was sealed after I picked up my prod I would still probably go for that option though. I don't think D-list celebrities would fuck with me if I had a cattle prod.
In the play you joke about Aussies losing their looks after the Heathrow Injection (bad weather, less sport and cheap junk food). What's your remedy against this and what do you think it is about London that makes this trade off so appealing for so many Australians?
What can I say? The English way is addictive. Booze, laziness, curries,
the weather, limited daylight, outrageously long winters and cheap take away . . . you pretty much summed it up. The trade off? Europe, history and the depth of culture. We're quite isolated being Aussies so the lure of buildings older than our first settlers has appeal. It's also easier for Aussies to get visas here compared to the other big, big city lure that is New York. The septics are quite strict about who they let march through their doors.
Jessica
This is your third run with The Vegemite Tales. What have been your most enjoyable and mortifyingly embarrassing, play related encounters so far?
Well I love it when things go wrong on stage. It can make you want to crawl out of your skin and hide but it's also extremely funny and I'll giggle for days afterwards. Last year on the first preview, I was all ready to come bounding in for my first entrance, but the front door on the set was locked so I was standing out there like a nincompoop pathetically tapping on the door, saying: “Um – guys will you let me in”. Luckily Andrew (Sam) thought quickly and hollered: “have you forgotten your keys again Gemma?” and let me in...I think we got away with it. In the previous season I got tangled up in the beads hanging in front of the kitchen door on set and flailed about for a minute or so with the tray of wine, whilst the rest of the cast looked on in horrified amusement. Tom Sangster (who played Eddie then) came to my rescue giggling all the way. Little things are always going wrong, but it keeps the adrenalin going and gives you something to laugh about in the dressing room. Also, it's so great to work with and meet all these Aussies. They are so much fun, they're laid back and are a joy to work with and perform for.
In the production you play a character who is an integral part of the overall comedy - but you also manage to sensitively deal with the issue of abortion. How did you prepare for this and what was the toughest part of getting the balance right?
Yeah, that was a difficult one. It is a sensitive issue and I sense that a lot of the audience have dealt with or know someone who has dealt with abortion. It is a distinctively separate thread to the story, and in the beginning I found it hard to combine it with the rest of the play in my mind. After doing the play so many times now, I can see how we need those serious moments. The audience need a chance to breath and also it's good to show all aspects of life over here, not just the fun bits. Our director Bill always says – that whether it is comedy or drama – if we commit to it, it will work. So that's what I try and do.
