MARINA PRIOR ‘BERT TAUGHT ME SO MUCH’
THE STAGE LEGEND REMINISCES ABOUT HER LATE PAL AND CHATS UP HER NEWEST GIG
Marina Prior is undeniably Australia’s first lady of musical theatre. During her 38-year career, she’s worked with the best of the best, including her late friend, Bert Newton.
After a year’s delay due to COVID, Marina, 58, is returning to the stage to play Violet in the smash-hit Broadway show 9 to 5 The Musical. Speaking to New Idea during rehearsals, Marina says it was a “dream come true” to play the role made famous by Lily Tomlin in the original 1980 film, and reveals the very special lesson dear Bert taught her...
What attracted you to the role of Violet?
Oh gosh, she’s so strong, sassy and hilarious. She has a great journey through the show and it’s such a great script. It’s written for Lily Tomlin, who is one of my idols, so I’m just beside myself.
Have you met Dolly Parton, who wrote the music and lyrics for the show?
No, but I am hoping she will come out for the show, because – boy, oh boy! – I would love to. I saw her when she last came to Australia and I cried, I just love her. She is a genius songwriter and magnificent singer, but I think what resonates with people is that, as a person, she is so true to herself.
What is it like working with an incredibly talented cast?
Caroline [O’connor] and I worked in West Side Story in Australia in 1995, and we have been great friends ever since. I adore her as an artist and a human being. Casey [Donovan] is divine and a supremely talented Australian, and Erin [Clare] is an up-and-coming dynamo. I have a show crush on all my co-stars!
What’s one musical theatre role you’d still love the chance to play?
Oh, there’s still so many ... but Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd would be fantastic. The one that changed my life was Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, but as I’m getting older I love getting these more gutsy roles.
You recently lost your friend, Bert Newton. What’s a lesson he taught you that you still hold dear?
He never took himself too seriously, and he was the same to the cleaner or the stage doorman as he was to dignitaries. Bert made you feel like you were the only person in the room. Everyone had a Bert story and that’s a great legacy he left – there’s so much love for him in the industry. He also taught me about longevity in this industry – he evolved, he took on challenges and embraced every world he found himself in.