Eight years off-stage has come to an end as Anson Kearney returned to the stage last week, but this isn’t a debut.
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When most were learning multiplication, Anson was learning lines, beginning his theatre journey at seven years old.
“I joined Initial Stages Theatre Company, which sadly no longer exists,” he said.
“That's when I first met Helen (Helen Janke, STAG director), so I've known her for quite a few years now, and we've worked together on a lot of shows.”
The first time he stepped onto the stage was during Peter Pan in 2008 in the juniors at Initial Stages.
“I was in Ensemble, and then it just went from there,” Anson said.
“My love for the stage really started there.”
For the next eight years, Anson immersed himself in Shepparton's theatre scene, nurturing his craft and passion for the stage.
“I continued in initial stages up until 2016 which is when I left GVGS, but there I didn't start doing school productions until Year 7 in 2014,” Anson said.
It wasn’t the spotlight or applause that kept his passion alive, Anson said.
“Being able to work with such talented people was what I loved, and I was lucky enough to work with very talented people as I went through school,” he said.
“I was very grateful for that because that certainly makes a show better.”
He is now starring as the leading man in Shepparton Theatre Arts Group’s 2024 production of Little Shop of Horrors, and he was roped in through a shop of his own.
His family’s business is Purdey’s Jewellers on Wyndham St, Shepparton which hosted a chance meeting.
“I was in the shop window doing the front display and then Helen was walking past to go to the EcoCafe, and she saw me, she knocked on the window and said, ‘come speak to me’,” Anson said.
“She was like, ‘I'm doing a Little Shop of Horrors, please audition. I think you would be great for the role of Seymour’.”
Anson hasn’t performed in Shepparton for eight years and described the realisation that he was making his return as a lead character as “surreal”.
“It was a bit strange as stepping back into theatre and going through that whole process,” Anson said.
Although he wasn’t a fan of the show itself pre-audition, he said it was easy to enjoy and love.
“I started listening to the soundtrack before the audition and started falling in love with the songs and the characters,” he said.
The process has been great for connection and friendships, Anson said, and the intergenerational connection has been valuable as well.
“It's been great getting to know everyone really because everyone has a different story to tell, everyone has a different experience to you when it comes to theatre,” he said.
“It gives you a wide array of knowledge to draw from, especially with Dale and Bernie being in the game for a long time, it’s great to work alongside them and see how their experience is.”
Getting to know Seymour was easier than expected, as the actor doesn’t fall far from the lead.
“I've found that he's very similar to me in a lot of aspects,” he said.
“What really strikes me about his character is his self-doubt really and that spoke to me on a personal level because when it comes to decision-making and having second thoughts, that's what Seymour's really all about.
“He's so unsure about what to do with this plant that he's literally sacrificing himself for it, quite literally his own flesh and bones.
“It's been a really great experience getting to know his character and being able to put my own personal spin on it.”
A leading man is nothing without his leading lady, and Anson said he struck gold with Stevie Renee, who is portraying Audrey.
“It's been phenomenal working with Stevie, she's a great personality and just so much charisma and energy as well,” Anson said.
“She's just great to work with, and her singing just blows you away.
“You really connect with the lyrics whenever she sings, she really draws you in and makes you listen to the true meaning behind each song.”
Unlike other musicals, Anson spends a lot of stage time acting as a puppet of a massive, murderous plant, which brings unique challenges, he said.
“In your mind you just have to give it that personification really, I mean plants are living things after all,” he said.
"It's a unique show in that way, and that it's not just people.
“Puppeteering is certainly is a new skill to learn ‒ really being able to bring another character to life but at the same time, concentrate on your own acting.
Anson recommends the show to anyone and everyone because of the music, story, messaging and humour.
“It really brings together and puts on display people's craftsmanship and love and passion for theatre.” he said.
“We don't get too many opportunities to do shows like this, and it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some people.
“A lot of themes throughout the show are very relevant today about being careful what you wish for.”
Little Shop of Horrors will hit the Westside stage for the final two shows this Friday and Saturday with both shows starting at 7.30pm.
Tickets can be bought through Riverlinks over the phone on 5832 9511 or online by heading to riverlinksvenues.online.red61.com.au/event/829:2154
Cadet Journalist