It’s all about a big nose for Durban actor Wicks
D URBAN singer and actor Graeme Wicks has played a wide variety of characters on stage since he first took to the professional spotlight in KickstArt’s first hit musical, The Wizard of Oz, at Durban’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre eight years ago.
He has gone on to appear in seven shows for the awardwinning Durban theatre company, fronted by Greg King and Steven Stead, and rattles off the many characters he has played.
“I have mostly had various ensemble roles – from Wizard of Oz Munchkins and Jitterbugs to an Italian Pirate, a Dancing Pepper Shaker, Will Scarlet from Robin Hood, Harold Ickes from Annie, and your common villager or townsfolk trying to sell something,” he says.
Wicks is now about to step out in his seventh KickstArt show, filling a quirky, animated role, where the nose is all-important, in the South African premiere of the hit Shrek The Musical, which opens on Saturday at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.
Directed by Stead, designed by King and starring Lyle Buxton as the green ogre, and Jessica Sole as his love interest, Princess Fiona, the production runs until June 28.
Wicks, who was last seen as a member of the cast of KickstArt’s Aladdin, Annie and Sweeney Todd, all also staged at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, is filling the role of Pinocchio, one of many fairy tale characters that contribute to the fun in Shrek The Musical.
And he is eager to get the show on the road.
“KickstArt shows are amazing to watch. I’m always blown away by them. I think they are vital to South African theatre and especially to Durban theatre,” he enthuses.
“They are a company that strive to put on the best shows possible, and to not settle for anything less than five stars – and it shows in any of their productions.”
Gun to head, he would rate Sweeney Todd as his favourite KickstArt musical: “It had incredible music and amazing performances from the cast, plus it was fun playing slightly darker characters. However, each KickstArt production presents new challenges.”
Last on stage as an Afrikaans policeman named Van Zyl, in the impressive ’Mashu the Musical, at the Playhouse in March, Wicks is looking forward to portraying the wooden puppet whose nose grows every time he lies.
“He is such a fun character to play, with interesting quirks that come with the limitations of being a puppet.
“There’s also a lot of creative freedom to play with the characterisation of the role. Pinocchio is witty and sincere, as well as funny, and I hope to depict all the aspects that make him the loveable character he is.”
How does he get around the growing nose situation? How is this to be depicted on stage?
Wicks smiles and replies: “With the magic of theatre of course... as well as the genius that is Greg King. The costume is mostly a full body suit, but my biggest hurdle will be operating the nose, which I am excited to use.”
Pinocchio is one of the show leads, he explains.
“He has a decent amount of stage time and I’ll be singing the songs Story of My Life and Freak Flag, as well as the finale number.
“It’s a great musical, with such catchy, well-written songs,” he adds, pointing out that Buxton is ideal for the title role.
“You couldn’t cast anyone better. Lyle pulls the character off seemingly effortlessly, from the accent to singing the songs,” he says.
He talks excitedly about Shrek The Musical, and encourages people to flock to see it “because it captures the magic of the movie in an interesting new way that is definitely worth a watch. I recommend people hurry to book before it is sold out.”
Wicks’s first time on a stage was in a high school musical revue called Ovation, and his first character role was playing Zeke in High School Musical, also at school.
Born in Port Elizabeth in 1989, he heard throughout his childhood that he should be on the stage.
“I hadn’t paid much attention to it, but after doing my first musical at school with a friend, as well as the drama teacher forcing me to drop a subject so I could pursue drama, the bug bit pretty hard.
“I am so grateful it did, because I couldn’t picture my life any other way,” he adds.
Wicks did some vocal training, as well as five years of Latin-American and Ballroom dance, at competition level.
“Other than that I am self-taught,” he says.
Having entered and won a singing competition arranged by The Barnyard Theatre in Umhlanga – “I got to sing one of my favourite Meatloaf songs, Bat Out of Hell” – Wicks was quick to pursue a career in showbiz.
“The competition win led to me taking up a contract with the Barnyard Theatre circuit for almost a year, and touring around the country, including a week in Zimbabwe.”
He also took part in an international singing competition, held in Bulgaria.
“We were asked to perform one cover song, and one original song, to be judged as best singer and best song. I co-wrote my song with a friend, Tom Watkeys.
“I was placed second in both categories. It was an incredible adventure that I spent with my dad, who lent support.”
After ShrekThe Musical, Wicks rehearses for KickstArt’s next musical, Snoopy!, in which he plays Linus. Also starring Carol Trench and Bryan Hiles, it will be at the Sneddon from August 7 to 23.
Acting isn’t Wicks’s only passion. “I love writing music and am currently working on some original stuff that I hope to release later this year or early next,”he says.