Stepping onto Sunset Boulevard, Tim Draxl takes on one of the most coveted roles in Australian theatre. I had an in-depth chat with the talented star.
Congratulations on securing one of the most sought-after roles in theatre. Are you still pinching yourself?
Yeah, in the canon of musical theatre, Joe Gillis is one of the ultimate roles for a male performer and he’s such an interesting character. A lot of the time in musicals it’s all very light and fluffy and the characters are sometimes two-dimensional. But Joe and the other characters are so complex and multi-layered that, for me, it’s exciting every day. It’s been an incredible opportunity.
What kind of research did you undertake?
I listened to the Broadway cast album to get the songs in my head. I hadn’t really heard the whole score before and thought, “Oh my god, what have I done!” I didn’t realise how much Joe sings and realised I had a lot of work ahead! But that excited me, as I love work that’s intense and uses energy. I love getting home at the end of the day and feeling like I’ve earned a good sleep. It’s exhausting but I love it.
Tim Draxl as Joe Gillis and Sarah Brightman as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard: The Musical. Photo: Paul Hanlon
And you’re a big fan of the film?
Yes, and I watched a lot of documentaries about the director Billy Wilder. I wanted to return to the original character of Joe as it was written by Wilder. Sunset Boulevard has always been one of my favourite films and next to Hitchcock, Wilder is my favourite director. I’ve watched Sunset Boulevard so many times and even when I’m painting in the studio, I’ll put it on in the background. Wilder is a genius in the way he weaves his plotlines together. He does that in The Apartment and Some Like It Hot as well. His twist to the story always brings an ‘aha!’ moment. I looked at documentaries about Wilder’s writing of Sunset Boulevard to see what he was trying to achieve and the response he got from Hollywood. It was one of the first times a film explored a ‘film within a film’ and that spawned others to follow such as Singing In The Rain. It gave the public an insight into the studio system and what it was like inside the industry.
“I always felt like I was on the outside of the industry because of my sexuality and sexual orientation.”
Which went against the grain for Hollywood!
Yes, there was a lot of kickback from the studios. Louis B Mayer famously said that Wilder was a traitor. I also watched documentaries on the making of the original Australian production from the Nineties and it was fascinating to see their perspectives and tweaks on the characters. In fact, Robert Grubb who is in our cast was also in the original.
Your character has been played in the past by John Barrowman, Michael Xavier, Ron Bohmer and Hugh Jackman. How does it feel following on from them?
I think it’s important to make a distinction between each performer’s interpretation of the role. Our production is brand new. We’ve started completely from scratch which is both exhilarating and terrifying because we don’t have a ‘show bible’ or formula to base it on. The set and design are also new, and Morgan Large has created the most incredible design. Just wait until you see the staircase and house!
Tim Draxl as Joe Gillis, Sarah Brightman as Norma Desmond and Robert Grubb as Max Von Mayerling in Sunset Boulevard: The Musical. Photo: Paul Hanlon
You’re also working with Sarah Brightman in her first theatrical role in over three decades!
I know! I get to stand on stage every night and have Sarah Brightman sing With One Look, and that’s a bit of a wow moment. There was a little bit of anxiety the night before we began rehearsal, but Sarah and I had a whole week together with our director, which was just lovely. I’ve done musicals and plays before, and acting is where I’m usually most comfortable. Because I sing so much of the show and Sarah hasn’t acted for a long time, we’ve been leaning on each other a bit for support, and it’s worked well. Sarah’s such as sweet and gentle soul and a lot of fun. She’s quite naughty with a wicked sense of humour and I love that!
“When I first started out, I was told I couldn’t be gay.”
And you have Kylie Minogue’s choreographer?
Ashley Wallen is amazing. He’s done a lot of work with Kylie on her music videos and was also the choreographer on the film The Greatest Showman. I think he’s brought a unique interpretation to Sunset Boulevard. I didn’t think I would be dancing, and they’ve thrown that on me as well! Andrew Lloyd Webber has written such an intricate piece and it almost has a Lawrence of Arabia feel. I recently holidayed in Egypt with my mum, and we sailed down the Nile on a beautiful traditional sailboat. As we did, I listened to the score and the scenery matched so perfectly in a grand and epic way.
Tim Draxl as David Westford in In Our Blood
With Sunset Boulevard set in the 1950’s you’re travelling back to the era from A Place to Call Home – your breakout role.
The funny thing is, I had several pairs of trousers made by the costume department on A Place to Call Home which I’ve been wearing to rehearsals. I wanted to get into that Fifties posture. Everyone commented, “Oh my god, your pants are so beautiful. They suit you so well!”. What they’ve made for the show is almost the same cut as what I wore on A Place to Call Home. Those wide-leg trousers are just gorgeous. I love that era for men’s fashion and it’s lovely to dip back into it. I seem to always attract those period roles!
“It gave the understanding that people with any kind of disability are still sexual beings with needs and desires.”
As such, you’ve had some great gay roles over the past few years including The Newsreader, Summer Love, In Our Blood and Erotic Stories. Do gay men still reach out thanking you for the standards you’ve set?
I got lovely responses from people when I was nominated for the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards, for In Our Blood and Erotic Stories. I think what resonated with people was being nominated as an openly gay actor playing gay roles. I think that was quite reaffirming for people and a positive step forward to see a gay man being acknowledged in the mainstream industry. It didn’t sink in for me until the day after the awards. I always felt like I was on the outside of the industry because of my sexuality and sexual orientation. I felt like an outsider, but being nominated for the awards was the first time I felt I was part of the industry. It was very special to have so many people congratulate and commend me for my work.
Tim Draxl as Jet and Joel Lago as CJ in Erotic Stories
You’ve helped raise two standards – for the gay actor and the gay character stories.
Well, In Our Blood was such an important story and part of our Australian history and queer history which not a lot knew about. Equally with Erotic Stories what attracted me to the role was the sex-positive angle. It gave the understanding that people with any kind of disability are still sexual beings with needs and desires. I thought that was such a poignant and beautiful theme to explore. I was thrilled to be a part of that and to try to change people’s perspectives. It was also wonderful jumping into that character and understanding his fetish for bondage and leather.
Tim Draxl as Luke and Harry McNaughton as Olly in Summer Love
Would you agree that as an openly out actor, getting roles in 2024 is a major improvement from twenty, even ten years ago?
One hundred per cent. When I first started out, I was told I couldn’t be gay. I went from having to hide who I was to now being recognised and celebrated with award nominations by my peers. It’s something I hoped would happen, but I always felt it was out of reach. So, those messages I received thanking me for living my authentic life signified a step forward. But I do think there’s more work to be done in changing public perception. One of the things that’s still a sensitive area is having gay or queer roles played by queer people – where we get to tell our own stories. That was important to me with In Our Blood, and I commend the production team for wanting to produce a queer story told by queer people. The queer characters were played by queer actors and a lot of the crew were as well. While filming we had a wonderful sense of ownership about that story and the power of that can’t be underestimated.
“Those messages I received thanking me for living my authentic life signified a step forward.”
Tim Draxl and partner Adrian (Adi) at the Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day
Are you still painting? – with your shirt off?
(Laughing) I haven’t been in the studio for quite some time. I’ve been so busy! I’ve also been overseas. But the wonderful thing about painting is that I can do it in my downtime. I have been sculpting though. I’ve been experimenting with plaster and a bronzing medium that coats the plaster. I love making things with my hands and I’m always finding new ways to express myself.
How is life with your partner Adi?
We’re wonderful! He’s very excited about seeing me in Sunset Boulevard. I think he’s more nervous than I am! He’s privy to the stress that goes on behind the scenes (laughing). It’s all been a massive preparation and Adi’s been very good in keeping me grounded and focused. When I got the Sunset role he was over the moon. We had planned to go to Europe for the summer and of course, had to cancel, but I promised him we’d go somewhere to compensate. So, we went to New York a couple of weeks ago. He’d never been to America and seeing the city through his eyes was so exciting. We had the most wonderful time!
For more visit: sunsetmusical.com.au
Follow Tim on Instagram @timdraxl
Matt with Tim Draxl
