Having already played in The Mousetrap, Jack Bannister is back in Agatha Christie’s greatest Whodunnit of all – And Then There Were None. Jack spoke to me about his intriguing role.
Tell us about your character Anthony Marston.
He’s a very wealthy, entitled young man. It’s quite hilarious the way he arrives on the island and walks in with the swagger of privilege. But you’ll see what happens! He’s the youngest of the guests, and what I find interesting is the way he interacts with the older people. You’d think in that era, there’d be more societal class respect, but not the way he communicates. He’s a bit of a disruptor and drinks a lot, too.
How do you develop the character?
I like to think any character I play is essentially myself. I’m at the core and cast because the director wants the character to look and sound like me, which is a good starting place. Then, you take those extra layers of their life and add to that. It all comes down to being in the moment. That’s the most truthful thing you can do. I’m not a massive fan of building a whole other world for myself to step into. It’s about playing the moments as a human being does and then layer in the other elements.
Jack as Anthony Marston, with fellow cast members Anthony Phelan as Sir Lawrence Wargrave and Eden Falk as Dr. Armstrong
It must be unique to be in a play where everyone keeps getting murdered.
Yes, it’s not something you get to do much in theatre. Funnily, it’s not that easy to kill people off in theatre, but Agatha Christie is the all-time best. I also did The Mousetrap last year, which had mysterious deaths, and it’s quite exciting because audiences love to see that in theatre.
“When people ask me who my celebrity crush is, it’s usually a man.”
Why do you think Agatha Christie’s stories stand the test of time?
She’s such a specific genre. The thing about Christie is that she was the cliche before it became a cliche. It’s exciting to do one of her productions because you can lean into all those British post-war murder mystery cliches. It’s not like doing a reinvented version that audiences have seen before, but more like having complete permission to go right in and push it to the end. We get away with it because she’s the original.
Photo credit: Chris Parker Jack! Check your fly!
Tell us about your short film Birdeater.
It’s about a bucks party that goes horribly wrong, and I play one of the groomsmen. It explores the reality of often unhealthy and abusive relationships, unravelling into a frankly nightmarish 24 hours. It went to the South by Southwest festival in Texas, which was exciting, and we then had a great cinema release for a few months last June. It was awesome that so many people saw it at the cinemas across Australia. I’m quite proud of it.
Have you been out clubbing with your gay mates?
Absolutely! When I first moved to Sydney, one of the first things I did was to see the Mardi Gras. I went with a bunch of friends, and it was a glorious introduction to Sydney. I come from the outer suburbs of Southeast Brisbane, and I wouldn’t say by any means that I grew up conservatively or religiously, but it’s certainly a different world on Oxford Street. It was incredible to ingratiate myself through my first Mardi Gras. I went shirtless and wore a shiny gold pair of pants. It was all an amazing release of emotion. I now try to go every year.
The Australian cast of And Then There Were None
What’s your irresistible burn-the-floor song?
Life Is A Highway, by Tom Cochrane. I know it’s not a clubbing song, but it gets me going. It’s such a classic. I mean you recognise it from the moment it starts. But also, right now it would be Apple by Charli xcx. If I hear that in a club, I’ll go nuts!
What about a favourite music diva?
Definitely Charli xcx, but I’ll also say, Addison Rae. She’s a new TikTok influencer/dancer and recently transitioned into music. I was sceptical at first, but she has a fantastic song called Diet Pepsi.
“It was incredible to ingratiate myself into Sydney through my first Mardi Gras.”
Gay for a day – who would be your celebrity bromance?
So, so many! When people ask me who my celebrity crush is, it’s usually a man. I’ve always had a huge crush, especially a talent crush, on Ben Platt the original Evan Hansen on Broadway. I met him when I was in New York and I’ve never been able to shake my love for him. The other is Morgan Wallen, the country singer. I usually go for musicians. I recently saw Monsters on Netflix, and Cooper Koch who plays Erik Menendez is the most incredible actor and is so stupidly good-looking. So, I have three!
Who has inspired you the most in this industry?
Our director Robyn Nevin, who also directed The Mousetrap. I’ve spent a lot of time in a rehearsal room with her, and she’s one of the most insightful, specific and otherworldly intelligent directors I’ve worked with. She’s so clear, detailed and fastidious in her search for excellence. It’s not just about making theatre but making it an amazing experience for the audience. There’s a whole bunch of other reasons, given her career, but I’m so inspired by her unnerving determination towards excellence.
Photo credit: Chris Parker Jack Bannister
What’s been your biggest pinch-yourself moment?
Recently I got to perform at the Theatre Royal in Hobart, Tasmania, which has been on my bucket list. It’s lauded as the most beautiful theatre in Australia, and I got to work there during The Mousetrap. Considering the number of Australian actors who have trodden those boards, it was a huge pinch myself moment.
Do you have a favourite quote?
It’s a Shakespeare quote – “Ambition should be made of sterner stuff”. I read it as a teenager, and it’s always stayed with me. Ambition isn’t a reality, it’s a goal, so do something about it.
Do you have a grooming tip?
Moisturising is key. Lather it on at night! This a weird little thing I do, but I put deodoriser on right before going to bed. It helps me with sweating at night and all through the next day – and you’ll smell great constantly.
What’s been your most memorable on-set wardrobe malfunction?
I’m notorious for forgetting to zip my fly up. I’m just so bad at it and I have no idea why. As an adult, I still haven’t figured it out. I also happen to pee a lot, so some days I spend around ninety per cent of the day with my fly down.
Ben Jackson, Jack Bannister, Matt Myers and Elisa Colla at the premiere of And Then There Were None
At the beach are you boardies or Speedos?
Boardies, but I trying to transition to Speedos. I’ve spent the last two years hanging out with my Mousetrap castmate Alex Rathgeber, and he looks so good in Speedos. He wears them a lot and it’s my inspiration to change. I think it’s an unbelievably great look. Big shout-out to Alex!
What about underwear? Briefs, fitted boxers or free balling?
Fitted boxers but quite loose. Back in the school change-room kids would say, “Are they your dad’s undies?” They were so loose. I don’t know why but I just love them loose. Easier to sleep in too!
And Then There Were None is playing at the Comedy Theatre Melbourne before moving to the Theatre Royal Sydney. For more: andthentherewerenone.com.au
Follow Jack on Instagram @jackbannisteer
