Beware the chandelier! The Phantom is back, and it’s Josh Piterman behind the mask!
The Phantom of the Opera! Is that a bucket list tick?
Josh Piterman: I try not to live my life by bucket list ticks because you’re not actually appreciating doing the things, and it would feel like life has become a series of checklist achievements, rather than embodying something and appreciating the journey. All the in between moments are even more important than the actual goal itself. So that’s a longwinded way of saying it’s totally something I’ve wanted to do my whole career, but it feels like a moving organism with a life.
How does this production differ from the others?
The London production was the original but in this one we move away from the spiritual omnipresence of the Phantom. Rather than being magical and sorcerer-like, he’s more human in the way he tries to win over Christine. That sort of naturalism and humanity seeps into the whole production. It has a real vibe of danger, and we actually see him be violent.
Josh Piterman as the Phantom of the Opera
Does putting on the Phantom mask itself, transfer you into that character and world?
It does because I choose to make it. I have a ritual every night before going on stage. After the makeup and costume are done, the last thing I do is to look in the mirror, and in a slow and delicate way, put the mask on. It’s a moment of transformation, but it’s also a moment of really respecting the show and those before me in this role. In Australia, Rob Guest and Anthony Warlow (previous Phantoms) are icons and men I revere, but across the world there are probably hundreds of people who have played the phantom and given themselves to this role, and it’s about paying respect to them and the show.
You played the role in London to Prince Charles. Did he give your performance praise?
Oh yeah, he was really blown away. I was seated right next to him immediately after I sang, and we had such a great chat about life and the arts. We talked about journeys through struggles, fun times, and all sorts of things. He said my voice was so extraordinary and was so complimentary. I found him to be such a kind man.
Josh Piterman
The production closed in the UK with the pandemic, then started up again in Australia, but another lockdown happened. Finally, you’re back but what a rollercoaster!
It was, but I was acutely aware of not being alone on that rollercoaster, because everyone went through some sort of anxiety and trauma and feeling like their life was in limbo. The show’s cancellation was devastating both times, but probably more so the second time because the Sydney season cancellation was very sudden. I had moved my whole life over here and it was a lot to take, but I guess what kept me on stable ground was being able to swim at Bronte Beach every day. I could train and look after myself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There was also the knowledge that everyone was in this together and there was a connected feeling in the mutual suffering.
“I would frequent the Exchange Bar and Heavens Door at least once a month with my gay mates.”
When it comes to physical fitness, what’s your best advice. After all, you were a personal trainer and owned a gym!
Consistency and frequency over smashing yourself or doing like eight-week challenges. There’s a lot of ways to get in shape, but it’s better to choose something you enjoy and something you can do consistently and frequently.
Josh Piterman as the Phantom of the Opera and Amy Manford as Christine
This is our Sexiest Man Alive edition. Who do you think is the sexiest man alive?
There’s a lot of very sexy men out there. I’d say Richard Madden is up there being super looking and super talented, which is a huge part of making a man sexy. But it’s hard to pick one person. There’s a lot of guys in that realm like Harry Styles, Hugh Jackman, Chris Pine … then there’s Ryan Reynolds and Bradley Cooper. They always seem to be actors (laughing).
Have you ever played a gay role?
Hmm … well I did the musical An Officer and a Gentleman, which flopped, and I played someone trying to work out their sexuality who copped a lot of gay banter in the marines. You never found out if he was or wasn’t, but that’s the closest I’ve come to playing gay. But never say never. I generally play some pretty complex and interesting male characters in musical theatre, so I’d welcome it one hundred percent.
Amy Manford (Christine) Josh Piterman (The Phantom) and Blake Bowden (Raoul)
When was the last time, you partied with your gay mates?
Back in the Noughties, I would frequent the Exchange Bar and Heavens Door on Commercial Road Melbourne, at least once a month with my gay mates, and I’d have the time of my life. I probably had a lot more bum squeezes than I thought I would get! (laughing).
What’s your ‘can’t resist’ burn the dancefloor song?
Anything by Earth, Wind & Fire or Fleetwood Mac with a remix on it. But I’ll say Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks. Throw that at me and I’m on the dancefloor!
“I probably had a lot more bum squeezes than I thought I would get!”
Who is your music diva?
I absolutely love Celine Dion. I’m also on the Kate Bush resurrection bandwagon and I’ve been going through all her B-sides, but Celine live is just extraordinary. I went to her concert in Brisbane when I was doing Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and it was brilliant. My favourite song of hers is a French song, ‘Pour que tu m’aimes encore’.
Josh Piterman as the Phantom of the Opera
Do you have a grooming tip? After all, you have that fabulous quiff of hair!
That’s just luck! I haven’t really done anything to deserve that, other than to be born with it. But what I do know, is that you must keep the fade high and have texture on the top to play with. The only time I put product in it is on a photoshoot, and when I do it’s a sea salt spray and coconut oil from time to time. I really don’t like to put products in my hair, and I also don’t wash my hair.
Dr Chris Brown also said he doesn’t wash his hair, and it’s beautiful too.
He does, and a delicious jawline! He is literally the Chesty Bonds man!
How about shaving?
I try not to shave because I like to have a bit of stubble, so once a week I’ll go over it with a body groomer. But for Phantom I have to be cleanly shaven every night, so I use a manual razor and shaving cream. That’s the worst thing about doing the role, but if that’s the worst thing, then it’s pretty damn good!
Josh Piterman, Amy Manford and Blake Bowden
What has been your biggest onstage wardrobe malfunction?
One time in Phantom during a penultimate scene, where the Phantom proposes to Christine, my pants split! Luckily, I was wearing a robe at the time, so it couldn’t really be seen. After the scene, I ran off stage, told my dresser and came back on for a quick scene, giving her time to fix it. She used pins but was so nervous she didn’t get them all in. I had a hole in the crutch halfway to my ankle for the last ten minutes of the performance – with showgirl legs! I don’t know if I was giving a Rhonda Burchmore or Magic Mike!
You have a new EP out called Loving You. What was the inspiration behind that?
That was a lockdown project, where I worked with Steve Anderson, who the gay community would know well, as he’s produced Kylie. He has a huge love for cinematic music, as do I, and I wanted to go into a classical crossover world with a cinematic lens. The songs we chose were Fix You by Coldplay, Caruso which is classic Italian pop song, I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You, from Mask of Zorro and Cinema Paradiso. They lend themselves to a cinematic sound and all have different stories but with the notion of love. It was lovely to have a project during lockdown that kept my creative energy.
What quote do you live by?
In my Year Twelve end-of-yearbook, I had a quote “Do not follow the path, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. I’ve always tried to live my life by that, staying in my own lane, not conforming and being my authentic and unique self. Often now, it’s like “Embrace your weird” and “Own your story”. In fact, the mindset coach Ben Crowe has helped me with some mindset stuff, and I like his approach.
Josh’s new EP Loving You
Who has been the biggest influence on your professional life?
There is no one person. I get really inspired by anyone who is working in a performative way, whether that’s an artist or athlete, and finds a way to reinvent themselves to stay at the top of their game, because I understand how challenging that is. I could be inspired by Archie Roach, God rest his soul, or Roger Federer and I think Ash Barty is amazing. But it’s also people who can do that with kindness, grace, humility, and love.
Are you a briefs, fitted boxers or commando guy?
Fitted boxers. I don’t like the ‘undies’ style, but I have about twelve pairs of fitted boxers that I cycle through. As long as everything is intact and comfy there, I’m happy!
You certainly wouldn’t want commando when a Phantom mishap happens!
I’m definitely not going commando on the Phantom stage! (laughing)
The Phantom of the Opera is currently playing at the Melbourne State Theatre
For more: opera.org.au
Follow Josh on Instagram @joshpiterman or visit: joshpiterman.com.au
Myself and Josh Piterman
