A Conversation With Phoebe Panaretos

An interview with a Stage Actor

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Phoebe Panaretos standing amongst the crowd of sparkly seats in the Lyric Theatre (QPAC) | Image taken by Myself

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Lyric Theatre is currently home to the (as of writing) Australian exclusive stage musical Strictly Ballroom the Musical, presented by Global Creatures and created by several members of the original 1992 film’s creative team (Including Baz Luhrmann, John “Cha Cha” O’Connell, Catherine Martin and Craig Pearce). The show will be held at the Lyric Theatre from now until October 17 2015, meaning there are still approximately five weeks remaining to enjoy the show during its Queensland (and potentially final) leg.

Prior to its Opening Night on Thursday evening, I had the fortune of attending a media call for Strictly Ballroom the Musical. In addition to watching a few snippets from the show, I got to spent a little bit of time speaking with actress Phoebe Panaretos – who is taking on the lead role of Fran. You can read a transcript of the Q&A interview below:

First of all, can you share a bit about your history in musical theatre?

I graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts and got a degree in Music Theatre. I’d just been auditioning for shows for about a year, and then I met Baz, and this was my launching pad into the industry, it was my big break. But I did my first musical when I was eleven, I was in Oliver!, and that sort of just sparked the dream to be in musicals, and I have just been going for it ever since then. Yeah, it all happened for me when I was 22 and I met Baz Luhrmann.

Its pretty impressive that your first major role after graduating was a lead role.

Its amazing, and I think Baz Luhrmann being who he is, he could choose whoever he wanted. It didn’t need to be a celebrity or whatever, so I was really lucky he took a chance on somebody new.

Having performed both Sydney and Melbourne already, what has your experience performing in Strictly Ballroom been like so far?

It’s been amazing! The people that I work with on stage are just all incredible as performers and as people. I’m so grateful to be a part of this show. Can’t believe its nearly over after so long, but yeah, I love every second of it. To say that “you’ve never worked a day in your life, you consider yourself lucky“, so far I consider myself extremely lucky.

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Image taken by myself

In your opinion, what makes Strictly Ballroom the Musical a show worth watching?

I think its a show definitely worth watching because so many musicals we see are from Broadway or the West End. Strictly Ballroom is 100% Australian. I think that is really special, its very rare as well, and I think support Australian theatre, support Australian work, see a classic Aussie story on stage. I think everyone that comes really enjoys the humour, really enjoys being taken back to the 80’s. Its also a classic love story, Romeo and Juliet – the Ugly Ducking turning into the swan – defying the odds. Its a really joyous and uplifting show. There isn’t one person that comes whether you are a rugby, beer-drinking guy or you’re a ballerina and you’re right into the arts. Everybody loves it, and people are surprised how much they love it. Especially people that aren’t necessarily the theatre going type.

Especially considering the show has some degree of audience participation, have there been any particularly memorable experiences from your time with Strictly Ballroom the Musical?

Probably when my parents got up, that would probably have been the most memorable. My parents got pulled up, and my dad was loving it and my mum was whispering in all of the ensemble member’s ears “I’m gonna kill Phoebe, I’m gonna kill her“. I was watching in the wings and that was really funny, I loved that.

and was that on purpose?

Yeah, they knew to get my parents.

So do you have a particular favourite moment in the show?

Yes definitely. My favourite moment is when Fran first asks Scott to dance with her. And she’s a bit awkward and a bit shy, but full of courage and determination, and she has absolutely no idea of what’s to come. I love daggy Fran.

A Life Lived in Fear | Image Taken by Myself
Image Taken by Myself

Finally, Are you excited about the next six weeks in Queensland?

I can’t wait. I feel like I’m on a holiday at the same time as being at the show. Its so beautiful here and sunny and lovely, and being in Melbourne and always fighting a cold, this is a beautiful way to finish this incredible journey. I’m really excited.

Thank you very much for your time!


Special Thanks

I would just like to pass on my thanks to Phoebe Panaretos for taking the time out of her busy schedule on opening day to speak with me about Strictly Ballroom the Musical.

I would also like to thank the publicity team at QPAC for helping organise this Q&A interview.


Other Articles on Strictly Ballroom the Musical

Sam
Sam
Founder of The Otaku's Study. I have been exploring this labyrinth of fandom these last fifteen years, and still nowhere close to the exit yet. Probably searching for a long time to come.

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