Photographer Lachlan Woods has swapped his camera for a wand, joining the Hogwarts magic in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
How does one prepare to play Draco Malfoy?
It’s a pretty big mantle to carry because it’s such an iconic role. Also, Tom Felton was incredible in the films, which sticks in everyone’s memory and it’s a performance that resonates in pop culture. But I think there’s a liberty with the role, through the passing of time. In this show we’re playing the adult versions, so there’s a bit more permission around how Draco is, and how he comes into being. A really significant part of this show is the incredible design of costumes and make-up. My imagination is kind of kickstarted by having the amazing wig that I wear. The incredible costume is a big part of it.
Is being a part of the Harry Potter cast a pinch yourself moment?
Yes! For actors in Australia, to be in a non-musical production or straight play of this scale with such a long run, is absolutely a pinch me moment. Especially in that it also has such rich material. I work with an amazing cast that has such a diverse experience and background which is also pretty rare. The scale of the production is just phenomenal, and I actually have pinch myself moments standing in the wings each night, while I watch all sorts of magic and illusions take place.
What’s the best part about being in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
Being part of an enormous backstage family. For actors, there’s a transience in our careers and the amazing thing about this show, because of its longevity, is to have the opportunity to create an incredible workplace culture. There’s a freedom of expression, a comradery, and a phenomenal work ethic in getting the show up every night. Being part of this team and the Hogwarts family, every day is a unique and powerful experience.
You played Freddie Mercury in the Molly miniseries, and quite well. One would say the perfect screen test for Bohemian Rapsody! Did you audition?
I would like to have thought that’s the case, but I’m not sure Molly had the global reach I would have liked. I don’t think that was a role for auditions. If I remember correctly Sacha Baron Cohen was originally tied to it, and I think there was a fair bit of jostling on who would get it. I would have very much liked to have done it. I mean I grow a fantastic moustache! What more do I need! (Laughs). For a film of that scale and significance, I didn’t quite have the celebrity cache!
“I remember sitting there with teachers and other students watching an international drag act which was amazing at the time.”
You’re also a photographer. What’s your speciality?
Portraiture. I take photos of actors and people. I’m interested in that for that same reason that I’m interested in acting. I like people and collaboration. I like hearing other’s life stories. One of the great opportunities I get, is to photograph productions backstage. It’s a pretty secret world and so interesting to come in with a camera and witness people in that creative process. It can also be a pressure cooker situation, such as with tech rehearsals. It’s always a special experience.
Apart from Freddie, have you played any other gay roles?
I played the famously genderbending Duke Orsino in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Twelfth Night which was a man in love with a guy who’s actually a girl dressed up as a guy. It was a bit of a Liberace meets Adam Ant character and a lot of fun. Then there was Leonard in North by Northwest, who was famously played by Martin Landau in the Hitchcock film. It’s not explicit within the play, but he is gay with illusions toward it. It was something that couldn’t be in the mainstream American film, so it was very nuance. I also played the gay character of Francois in Polygraph and Chris on TV’s Winners & Losers.
Did you ever witness homophobia, such as in school?
I was very fortunate in that I went to St Michael’s Grammar, a very open Anglian co-ed school. It had a lot of opportunities in the performing arts and a culturally informed a safety and openness. I was doing school plays with known gay guys, and it was never a thing. During the Nineties and 2000’s the school really made a push to be the champion of creative and performing arts. It was a very non-judgemental culture around things like sexuality and I think the parents drawn to that school were more progressive. That all informed the place in a great deal, but having said that, I also don’t know who didn’t come out. So, I’d be hesitant to misrepresent those people as there could have been some who were closeted. I think it’s by virtue of being in the performing arts for so long, that all that has never been much of a deal in my world.
That really is a progressive and cool high school!
Yes, during Year Ten when I was around fifteen, we went on a great school excursion to the Adelaide International Arts Festival, and they booked a heap of shows. They booked us into a drag show, and this was 1999. I remember sitting there with teachers and other students watching an international drag act which was amazing at the time. I had previously had no insight into that sort of thing.
Who’s your celebrity man crush?
I have a crush on Keven McCloud, the host from Grand Designs. Sometimes his outfits are incredibly questionable, but he’s command of architecture and monologues at the end of each episode, is brilliant. He’s just a confident together dude with a great brain. The other one is Monty Don, the horticulturalist from Gardeners’ World. I like gardening and architecture and they’re both thoughtful and also a bit poetic.
“I would have very much liked to have played Freddie in the film. I mean I grow a fantastic moustache!”
Who’s your music diva?
It’s a whole girl band called HAIM! They are an American rock band with three sisters and they’re awesome. I listen to their music all the time. They have a song called The Wire, which is great!
Do you have a grooming tip?
I always keep a little bit of a beard, but sadly these days in playing Draco Malfoy, I have to be clean shaven every day. But I use an amazing shaving cream called Dirty by Lush cosmetics. It works great with an old school safety razor. I also have a fantastic hairdresser in Melbourne named Simon Setter, who was previously Bryan Adam’s hairstylist. He cuts my hair at my house, so my tip is to get your hair cut at home!
What’s your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?
I have to wear a harness in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and, needless to say, how you position that harness is critical! Any error slip mid-scene would be as terrible a wardrobe malfunction as you can get!
Are we talking like slipping on a bicycle seat?
Yeah, something akin to that! (Laughs)
Is there a quote you live by?
Lately I’ve been really interested in the writings of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who was also a stoic philosopher. There isn’t any one particular quote that I live by, but his book Meditations is full of thoughts, and I read it all the time. I find them grounding and insightful. For instance, one is “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength.” And another standout is that “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts”. That’s a cracker of a quote! But I guess achieving that is really a lifetime of practice!
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the acting profession?
Ewen Leslie for sure. I was lucky enough to share the stage with him in my first professional gig, which was in Richard III for the MTC. It was after I graduated at the Victorian Collage of the Arts, and I got to see his work ethic and talent up close. He was extraordinarily inspiring, and he still is today.
Are you boardies or Speedos?
I was a competitive swimmer until twenty-one, so I’m squarely a Speedos man. But I also own many pairs of funky trunks. I wear both, but recently I’ve been wearing Speedos at the beach.
Lastly Briefs, fitted boxers or commando?
Fitted boxers. They’re the most comfortable and they don’t strangle you as such! (Laughs)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is currently playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne
For more: au.harrypottertheplay.com
Follow Lachlan on Instagram @lachwoods
