It seems that the Sydney Opera House is holding a seance with three, no wait, … four Acts!
Already well-established within the LGBTIQ+ community, Courtney Act has now become a household name, thanks to appearances on Australian Idol, RuPaul’s Drag Race and winning Celebrity Big Brother UK. In fact, Shane Jenek’s alter ego has become so successful internationally, that she’s to be immortalized in wax at London’s famed Madame Tussauds.
Having recently hosted the ABC coverage of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade and competed in Australia’s Dancing with the Stars: All Stars, Act is also making her debut in the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit.
Written in 1941, the comic farce has been hailed by some critics as Coward’s masterpiece, particularly with its take on mortality. Having also been produced in film, television, radio and as a musical, the play’s story surrounds novelist and socialite Charles Condomine, who conducts a séance for writing inspiration. While amongst those present is his current wife Ruth, it is the ghostly apparition of his troublesome first wife Elvira that spices things up – enter Act.
Courtney Act as Elvira, with Megan Wilding (Edith), Brigid Zengeni (Madame Arcati) and Matt Day (Charles)
“I am the ‘blithe spirit’ of Charles’ first wife, which is really anything but blithe,” says Act.
“While reading the script I had visions of Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, and by that I don’t mean Samantha or Jeannie, but rather their evil brunette cousins. They had a naughty side to them, and Elvira has fun causing mischief in everyone’s lives. In the story, Charles describes Elvira to his second wife as having a wonderful ‘gay charm’ which is very apt, but when she doesn’t get her way, she’ll turn!”
“While reading the script I had visions of Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie!”
Written as a spirited, wild, and carefree character, whom only Charles can see, the role of Elvira is one much sort after in the theatre world, having been played in the past by the likes of Blythe Danner, Twiggy, Lauren Bacall and Leslie Mann.
“I call it the Patti LuPone moment,” says Act.
“It’s like in Company where she comes on at the end of act one, sings a song and everyone loves her, then comes back for act two and does it again. She has it easy and steals the show twice, not that I steal the show, but I do make my entrance at the end of act one.”
For Act, performing at the Sydney Opera House with the STC is one of those pinch yourself moments, especially given her early years invested in theatre.
Courtney Act as Elvira Condomine in the Sydney Theatre Company’s Blithe Spirit
“It’s so exciting to be in a Noel Coward play with the Sydney Theatre Company,” says Act.
“It’s just epic! It’s like a level jump for me. I didn’t think it would be what I had dreamed of, but it is. I grew up doing a lot of pantomime and theatre in Brisbane and my saving grace was attending the Strathpine Community Centre after school. Every holiday was consumed with shows like Cinderella, Snow White and Jack and the Beanstalk. Then I came to Sydney intent on attending the National Institute of Dramatic Art open day as well as the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts open day in Perth, and I didn’t make it to either! Instead, I’ve done theatre in pieces, like with RENT in WA where I played Angel in an all-star cast including, wait for it … Tim Campbell, Anthony Callea and Nicki Webster! I also more recently did the drag play Death Drop on London’s West End.”
Courtney Act and Matt Day during rehearsals for Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit
The cast of Blithe Spirit includes Matt Day (Muriel’s Wedding), Bessie Holland (Cosi), Tracy Mann (Home, I’m Darling), Megan Wilding (Blackie Blackie Brown) and Brigid Zengeni (Death of a Salesman) and making her STC debut, Nancy Denis.
Director Paige Rattray (Death of a Salesman) has described the production as the “Met Gala crossed with Keeping Up with The Kardashians, a healthy dose of Will & Grace and big sprinkle of RuPaul’s Drag Race”.
“For those who love those things, it’s an accurate description,” says Act.
“But it’s a Noel Coward play with such wonderful writing and a whole other layer of text to the page. It also has magic from Adam Mada, who did the special effects on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Even I’ve had to learn magic! The show is filled with amazing actors and skilled technicians. I’m the only one who’s not so skilled in this genre, but I’ve learned quickly by seeing how all these people work. The real challenge has been learning my lines!”
County Act and Matt Day in a scene from Blithe Spirit
Sir Noel Coward, who apart from his writing, directing, acting, and composing, was well-known for his chic flamboyance, style and wit – not to mention being a trail-blazing gay man. In his own words, he believed Blithe Spirit was witty, well-constructed and would be a success.
“It’s a 1940’s play but our director has set it in the present,” says Act.
“This world is very opulent, and we talk with that pronounced Noel Coward old-world charm. I’m hoping it all comes across like our own Roaring Twenties, where we came out of the great depression that was Covid. It’s a decadent production with luxurious and expensive costumes, which is kind of a rarity. People will get to the end of it and laugh, thinking “I have no idea what that was all about, but gosh I had a great night!”
“This is perfect for DNA readers. There’s so much campness and queer plot twists!
Having marked its eighty-year anniversary in 2021, Blithe Spirit is known for its escapist and well-paced comic farce. As a welcomed distraction in war-torn Britain, the ‘ghostly love triangle’ plot was written in six days in a Welsh seaside resort, while Coward took shelter from the London blitz. At the time, critics compared it to his past work Hay Fever and even Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. One reviewer suggested it was “not untouched by genius of a sort”.
“The thing about Blithe Spirit is that for people who don’t go to the theatre much, this is a guarantee,” says Act.
Getting into the ‘spirit’ at Blithe Spirit rehearsals
“It’s just great fun. Our director was crying with laughter during rehearsals and Nancy Denis who plays Mrs Bradman is just hysterical. The whole cast are so lovely. If you’re a skeptic of theatre, then this is perfect, especially for DNA readers. There’s so much campness and queer plot twists! Elvira is not a drag or gender bending role but traditionally played by a cis woman. It’s interesting though, with all the references to gay charm and how ‘gay’ the character is! It really seems quite appropriate!”
“Elvira has it easy and steals the show twice, not that I steal the show!”
Act has certainly gained much experience in theatrics, having worked with theatre companies, Oxford Street drag shows and costume sewing bees with Ashley Swift and Vanity Faire. And of course, there’s always Mardi Gras. But given this recent venture, what does the future hold for Courtney slash Shane?
“I love musicals and I love acting, so I definitely would love more of that,” she says.
“I hosted the Courtney Act Show as a one-off Christmas special on the UK’s Channel 4 and I love that style of variety television. But I’d also love to do something like the Graham Norton Show or the Dame Edna Experience. Something with a bit of Sonny and Cher mixed in. Now, that would be my dream!”
Blithe Spirit plays at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House until 14 May.
For more visit: sydneytheatre.com.au
