Everyone’s favourite splash hit musical is now in Sydney, singin’ and dancin’ on its way through its Australian tour. We caught up pre-show with Jack Chambers, who plays the blindingly bright ray of sunshine Cosmo Brown, to chat about the production, musical theatre, and jamming to 90s hits in your dressing room.
You’ve been in the role of Cosmo for quite some time now. How do you keep such a fresh upbeat character, so fresh and upbeat?
My first ever musical was Singin’ in the Rain as a kid, where I played young Cosmo Brown and had ten minutes worth of stage time. So now I’ve gone full circle and play him as an adult! But the whole trying to keep it fresh and energetic- we do eight shows a week for a very very long time and you can get a little too settled in and comfortable. Sometimes naturally acting choices or physical choices can get a little bit relaxed so its always important to try and energise yourself and keep it fresh. For me mentally I just love doing this show, so its quite easy to keep the enthusiasm. But reminding yourself that it’s a new audience every single time and they’ve paid good money to see something that’s entertaining and to escape back to the 1920s, so I feel a responsibility to be able to deliver and take them to a joyful place. That’s my mentality with each show to keep it fresh and exciting.
How different is it to be performing in musical theatre as opposed to performing only dance?
I try to be across all facets of industry for the idea of longevity and experience and learning and growing. Musical theatre is always the most challenging I find, in terms of maintenance as a performer theres a lot more to worry about. Not just the physical side of things looking after your body but there’s also vocally looking after your voice and eating the right foods, or drinking the right drinks so you don’t damage your vocal chords, and staying out of the wind so you don’t get the flu… So you end up becoming sort of antisocial in a way! But in terms of how fulfilling it is to be in musical theatre as opposed to just a dance show- its extremely fulfilling. Even though its escapism for the audience its also escapism for us as performers to be able to walk out there and be someone you’re not. I find that quite exciting and thrilling! Not many people get to do that in their life.
How do you make sure you don’t catch a cold being drenched in 12,000 litres of water that many times a week?
The water has got a lot of cleaning products and they make sure its healthy and not carrying anything. So the water hasn’t been a problem thankfully but physically for me- I fall down a lot. The way that I fall down I try to make sure that it looks like it hurts so it actually has an impact for an audience member to go “ooh ow he just hit the floor really hard there”. I try to brace myself and make sure I don’t hurt myself too much but every now and then I’ll get a bruise and have to fall a little bit differently and change my technique.
Do you have a favourite part of the show?
“Moses Supposes”, the scene into that number I really enjoy. A close second would be the scene just before and “Good Morning”. They both come straight after each other- so it’s a section of the show that is quite exhausting but something that I always have a great time performing.
You’re also the creative director of RAW Dance Company. Do you have any words of advice for aspiring young dancers out there that hope to follow in your similar footprints?
I think my advice that I always say to performers is to constantly keep learning and growing, and trying to be a part of many different facets of the industry. Don’t be very narrow minded and just go through a tunnel that’s just focused on ballet dancing or something that’s just focused on singing. Try to open up all those doors for yourself because that’s what’s going to create your longevity. But at the same time stay passionate. It’s a really tough industry and it’s really hard to get consistent work, so sometimes that can really be draining for performers and they lose their desire and drive to want to continue in the industry. It’s very important that before you even work your butt off to be a part of this industry, you need to make sure that you’re in it for the right reasons and that you’re passionate and its something that you actually love and have fun doing. Otherwise I just don’t think it’s worth it.
While you were in London you helped out with Newsies auditions. Is that a show you could see yourself in if it ever came to Australia *fingers crossed*?
Oh I have no idea, we’ll have to wait and see! It would be great!
And finally, on your Instagram it seems you like to have a bit of a jam in the dressing room pre-show. Any current faves?
Oh god that’s so tough… Yeah I love a lot of music! Like Saturdays would be my 90s jams! I do love disco music. Earth, Wind and Fire! I love playing their music so if anyone is walking past my dressing room I’m sure they’ll hear “September” or “Boogie Wonderland” playing. I’ve got a whole cocktail of music on my laptop that is just on shuffle.
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Jack is performing as Cosmo Brown in the current Australian Tour of Singin’ in the Rain, in Sydney till the 10th September before heading to Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. For more information and to book visit singin.com.au
Photo credit (c) Jeff Busby
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