Meet some of the cast of Paris

Our major production of Paris is just a week away (have you got your tickets?) and GRTG.COM.AU caught up with some of the fabulous cast for a quick chat about the show.

Chatting with us are Courtney Guy, Heather Milley, Bradley Haw and Simon Oster.

Hi guys! Tell us about your characters

Courtney: Helen is the wife of the Spartan King and the most beautiful woman in the world. She is cast in the own image of the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite.

Heather: My main character is Talthybius, a simple minded, happy, drunk Greek guard.

Bradley: My Character Sinon, apart from being tall, well built, good looking and modest is a happy go lucky solider who is over this god forsaken war, wishing for the end so he can go home.

Heather: All the ‘dirty work’ seems to get left to Talthybius and Sinon. Suckers for punishment really!!!

Simon: My character Hector "the injector" is a hero, and if there could be a chance of a rematch with Achilles its quite obvious who would be the victor. Hector being the older brother needs to step up to the perils that his younger, hormone driven lovestruck brother Paris causes. On the other hand he sees the good and courage in him and respects that side of him. How could you get a better character!



What challenges have you had playing your roles?

Heather: Being drunk without being drunk!! (I've never been drunk anyway, but I’ve observed others!!)

Bradley: I'm not tall, well built, good looking or modest.

Courtney: Standing up in a dress! Seriously though, Helen constantly battles to maintain balance between her head and her heart, thus she is fairly intense in her emotions. It’s sometimes difficult to maintain that intensity right throughout the show...but I think we’ll get there!

Simon: Hector has some eye bulging notes to sing and its been a challenge.



What interested you in being involved in Paris?

Simon: The music, only the music it is awesome.

Courtney: It’s brilliant and details the legend of the Trojan War perfectly!

Heather: I saw Paris in Melbourne a few years ago and enjoyed it...plus I’m a sucker for a theatre performance! I just love the stage, & working with people.

Bradley: I saw the same production as Heather and to be perfectly honest all I can remember about the show was the dancers being waves, which was very impressive, and two very funny drunk soldiers. They only sang a few songs and got a huge applause. My logic went something like this... Oooo only two songs, not much to learn... not many practices, maximum applause. Anything with minimum work and maximum applause can't be all bad, I'll do that!



Any funny moments pop up during rehearsals?

Heather: Our drunk scenes are pretty funny.

Bradley: We did have had a singing coach come down from Melbourne. I lost all respect for her when after Heather and I sang "Inside Outside" she told me "I had a lovely romantic lead voice and Heather has a natural harsh husky voice" I'm sure her ears must have had flat batteries or something!

Heather: Oh and the chook impersonations backstage with our ‘helmets’ (they look like a chook or turkey and wobble accordingly!!). John & Neale do a good chook too!

Simon: Helen spitting on Paris when he was on the edge of death and telling her how much he loved her made me chuckle for a bit. (Editors Note: Paris wishes to assure you that as funny as it was, it was still gross!)

Courtney: If I can make a prediction, I think it will be when our leading male comes to rehearsal bright orange after having an unfortunate mishap with the fake tan!




What should our audiences expect when they see Paris?

Courtney: They will discover some hidden local talent bringing to life the story of the Trojan War. Whether people are familiar with the legend or merely know it by name, audiences will definitely learn a little more from it and will fall in love with some brilliant songs!

Simon: Audiences will witness some awesome spitting, Achilles topless, Paris breaking champagne glasses with his awesome note range, guys who really know how to fight with dangerous weapons, Trojan horse building in under 100 seconds...

Heather: I think audiences will be impressed with the amazingly awesome horse!

Simon: ...and grown men & women in togas.

Bradley: Audiences should really expect to see Paris the Musical. I'm sure that they would be disappointed and jaded if they turned up and had to sit through a pantomime or something. Oh, and this Paris is a Prince not the City. If they are expecting to see a travel documentary they may be a little taken back.

Simon: Above all Audiences will be blown away with our casts awesome singing abilities and love for the theatre. They'll definitatly get there moneys worth in a mythical journey back in time where the Gods and the throw of a dice decided their fate.



What a fun bunch! Make sure you come along and see Paris at the Fawkner Pavilion beginning next week. Visit the Paris page to find out all the details!