BOY FROM COAST IN STAR SPOTLIGHT

THE coming production of Boy From Oz, which opens at The Star on October 14, has a very personal connection for former local and now worldrenowned director/choreographer Drew Anthony.

“This came about because The Star approached Spotlight Theatre Company y about staging a show ,” said Drew from his s home in n Perth.

“Many of my closest friends are from my early days performing with Spotlight so when I was approached about doing the show I jumped at the chance. It is such a wonderful opportunity for everyone – performers, technicians and behind the scenes to step onto a big stage.

“I caught up with theatre stalwart Clem Halpin last week over here and we talked about Spotlight’s long history on the Coast.”

The other deep connection for Drew is his friendship with Peter Allen. “I worked with Peter a lot. He was such a generous performer and we would talk about show structure and how to open and close a set. We worked on his tap dancing before he went to America to open Legs Diamond.

“Peter was a brilliant songwriter and I saw him so many times before I met him at either Twin Towns or Seagulls when he would tour here. I did a production of Boy From Oz in Perth two years ago … This will be more like the 1997 Todd Mckenney version and something I’m really looking forward to doing.”

Drew also laughed about sneaking into The Playroom as a young teenager to watch the amazing acts that played at the iconic venue.

“Ignatius Jones and I worked on Pardon Me Boys but I saw him at The Playroom when he was in Jimmy and The Boys as the wild child rock ’n’ roller. An amazing transformation.” There was one other surprising confession: “I’ve worked with some of the biggest names in showbiz and never get starstruck. However, put me around the top NRL players and I turn into a real fanboy,” he laughed.

Don’t miss the show when it hits the stage at The Star in October.