An icon of film, pop culture, and a sprawling multimedia universe, Back to the Future is one of those franchises you’ll happily return to as a comfort film every so often, before it pops up again in another format – whether comic book, video game, or, relevant here, musical theatre. After premiering in 2020 and gracing the West End stage in 2021, audiences in Australia finally have the opportunity to see BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical live at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, with the production opening earlier this month. While no Australian tour has been confirmed at the time of writing, fans can either travel to Sydney – or wait to see whether the production receives the full-fledged tour many musicals eventually get.
In a coup for Australian audiences, actor Roger Bart has joined the cast, after originating the role of Doc Brown in the West End and later on Broadway. Alongside him, in the iconic role of Marty McFly, is Brisbane actor Axel Duffy – new to the role but boasting an impressive line-up of past credits, including work on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Tap Pack, Oklahoma!, Grease, and more.
As he took to the stage with BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical in its opening weeks, we had the opportunity to speak with Axel Duffy about his journey, his time and history with Back to the Future, his advice, and much more.
To start off with, can you share a bit about your history in the performing arts industry? What drew you into the world of musical theatre, and what have been some of the highlights of your career?
I saw ‘Singing In The Rain’ the movie as a kid and was pretty hooked from there. Also, as someone who used to get very nervous around conversation with people, having a script where I knew exactly what to say, and exactly what the other person was going to say back was an absolute dream. As for the highlights, ‘Cursed Child’ is a big one — it was a highlight to be dance partners in a commercial musical with my fiancee. I also loved performing a show called ‘The Beep Test: The Musical’ written by two very dear friends, that was special.
The first performances are now well and truly underway. How has the entire process up to this point been for you – from auditioning process to rehearsals, to your first performances? Have there been any particular highlight moments for you so far?
It’s been a genuine dream come true. Rehearsals are my favourite part of doing a show. There’s something about the feeling that you could be one great realisation away from having the character and their journey nailed and understood, but at the same time feeling like you might be so far off, and just embarrassing yourself every day. That danger zone of curiosity and self doubt is beautiful. And then getting to put the show in front of an audience was amazing too. It really came alive with an audience. Highlight moments would be that first preview we did of the show, where we found out just how much people love this story and are willing to interact and reconnect with it in a new format.
Stepping in as Australia’s inaugural Marty McFly, how do you see yourself embodying him in the details: voice and accent, physicality and movement, comic timing, and the musical moments? What do you uniquely bring that audiences may not (or may) have seen before?
Unfortunately as I’m the only one that can’t watch my own performance, I am the least qualified to answer this one, but of course I’m bringing my own interpretation to this beloved character and hope to do him justice at each show.
You are performing alongside Roger Bart, who is undoubtedly synonymous with the role of Doc Brown – having performed in the role on both West End and Broadway – and has worked with many other “Marty McFly’s”. What has your dynamic with him (and the other members of the Australian company) been like so far?
Roger has been so generous onstage and off. I’m getting front row seats to a masterclass every night, and then offstage he puts up with all of my questions about his frankly unbelievable career and the people he’s worked with. The only difficult part of acting opposite him is trying to keep up with his wit — the man is lightning fast. He’s also so passionate about the show being great and I get to see that in how detailed and precise his approach to the show and our scene work is. I think it’s why he is the legend that he is. That being said, it’s also just so much fun working with the whole company. The cast is stacked with insanely talented people and everyone is doing such incredible work, acting alongside all of them is possibly the easiest job I’ve ever had.
As the lead in a franchise that is iconic for a range of reasons, what were some of the more difficult skills to master during performances, and what, if anything, surprised you by coming naturally?
The first thing that comes to mind is the skateboarding. That always feels under pressure in front of 2000 people. Honestly, I was worried about being cool. Marty McFly has been the poster boy for ‘cool teenager’ for 40 years and that’s not something I inherently resonate with. Fortunately, it’s everyone else’s job to make me seem cool and I think audiences project a bit of that onto the red puffer vest too, so it all helps.
What, to you, makes Back to the Future an iconic film that has stood the test of time? Do you remember the first time you ever watched it?
I think Bob Gale and Bob Zemeckis managed to write a really timeless and unifying story about understanding your parents as humans and the empathy that comes with that, as well as being 17 and unsure about the future and your place in it. They then took that message and camouflaged it amongst one of the most unique story lines that I can recall, incredible music, really strong comedy, and a sci-fi flare, so it’s no wonder people keep coming back to it. I remember for a week after I watched the first movie as a kid, I would try and slide off the bonnet of the family car every morning on the way to school, much to my dad’s displeasure.
One of the limiting factors of this musical, of course, is that it only covers one part of the film trilogy. Are there any moments from the second or third films that you’d really like to try your hand at on-stage?
If someone could figure out how to let me do a hoverboard chase onstage, I think that would be the coolest thing ever. I also really love Doc’s love story in the third film, and I think that would be really beautiful onstage, their duet would be a showstopper.
What do you think is one scene reimagined for stage, condensed, re-ordered or just brought across from the film that actually works better onstage, and why?
I think the scene where Marty is trying to teach George how to be more confident works really well onstage, and due to the nature of musicals, we get to sit in the situation a little longer and we get music to help. I love the relationship between the two 17 year olds that are also father and son and I think the stage version gives us a really beautiful look at the friendship that underpins that relationship
What is your advice for young Australian performers who may wish to follow in your footsteps and pursue a career in the performing arts?
We all started careers performing because we loved doing it, so don’t lose that love. It’s a hard career to pursue and it gets even harder if you’re not having fun or if that creative itch in the back of your brain isn’t getting scratched, so protect it. And never be too good to learn from people around you. I guarantee you there is a lesson or an idea you could take away from any and all performances if you’re watching closely enough
Having been part of both classic and contemporary musicals and immersed in the industry as a young performer, how do you personally envision the landscape of musical theatre evolving over the coming decade or two, and what excites you about its future?
Another tricky one. I think I’ve been too concerned with me and my work and how it can fit into the current landscape of theatre to really think about the next few decades. I would love to see a shift away from the musicals that we’ve had multiple tours of in the last 10-20 years, and towards newer shows and Australian works. But I’m not the one trying to balance the books.
Rapid Fire Questions
Favourite song in BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical?
Teach Him a Lesson
Favourite moment in the show?
When George And Lorraine kiss at the dance.
Favourite costume in the show?
Javon King in the Marvin Berry Costume. Velvet blue suit, teeny tiny moustache.
Favourite piece of staging / set design / lighting?
The Delorean.
Favourite pre-show ritual or routine?
Eat too much food, then promise to myself I won’t do the same thing tomorrow.
I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to Axel Duffy for being so generous with their time, and sharing such interesting insights about themself and BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical. I wish them all the very best in the opening months of this production, and hopefully, a broader tour.
Special thanks must also go to the show’s producer Crossroads Live Australia and publicity team at Peach and Pineapple for facilitating this opportunity!
You have read this interview… now you want to book some seats to see BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical. Ticketing information for the season – and any new seats made available – can be found on the production’s official website.
