The last time I interviewed Eddie Perfect, he was preparing to play Shane Warne. Amongst his many accomplishments since, he’s not only written the music and lyrics to Beetlejuice the musical, but now he’s the star!
Beetlejuice is a global hit. Having created the words and music, how do you feel about this?
I feel great about it! It’s gratifying to see people enjoying it. I created Beetlejuice in collaboration with some of the best people working on Broadway, and it was one of the most thrilling processes of my creative and professional life. But it all happened overseas, and unless they travelled to New York, none of my fellow countrymen and countrywomen were aware of what was going on. Because of the fickle nature of show business, and musical theatre in particular, shows more often fail than succeed. I didn’t know Beetlejuice would have a life beyond its initial New York season, so for it to become a Broadway success, travel the world and come to my hometown of Melbourne is mind-blowing. And I get to play the lead role! It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s also quite a gift. It was a risk, but it seems to have paid off.
Eddie Perfect as Beetlejuice Photo: Benny Capp
Do you have a favourite moment in the show?
The show is so densely packed with business that I can’t hold the whole story in my head at once. When I walk out on stage, I think about what I’m going to do first, and from there on, muscle memory kicks in. The whole show feels like I’m riding a wild horse. It’s always surprising, varied and crazy, and I love riding the giant sand worm at the end! It’s the last thing I get to do as Beetlejuice, and it’s great because I’m sitting down after running around so much. I believe I’m riding an actual sandworm each night! It bucks me into the air while I hold onto a tiny handle. It’s terrifying, but also super-fun!
The Mary Poppins finale, when she flies with her umbrella, kind of fails in comparison.
Yeah, fuck Mary Poppins!
Oh! Looks like Beetlejuice has emerged!
(Laughing) Beetlejuice basically IS Mary Poppins. He turns up in someone else’s house, terrorises them, they all learn the lessons they needed to, and then he flies away.
Beetlejuice (Eddie Perfect) rides the giant sandworm Photo: Michelle Grace Hunder
What do you think it is about Beetlejuice that resonates with audiences?
On a show business craft level, it’s extraordinary. It combines costumes, incredible lighting, video-mapping designs, puppetry, special effects and an amazing revolving set. It all creates a believable world where magic and ghosts can exist, and people can travel from this world into the Netherworld. It uses every trick in the book, integrated into a very funny story, and I think that’s what people respond to. There aren’t many people on this planet who haven’t been affected by grief in some way, and that’s the emotional heart of the story. How do we carry on living when someone who means the world to us passes away? This musical is an acknowledgment of the fact that you cannot ignore grief. Beetlejuice tells us that everything good that we want is on the inside of discomfort. We need to go through discomfort to get to the good stuff, and that’s the message people respond to.
He’s definitely got a little bit of gay in him, too.
Yeah, I think he’s got a bit of everything. Some have put a label on Beetlejuice, like maybe he’s pansexual, because he doesn’t discriminate with who he harasses! But he’s sort of label-less and boundaryless. I imagine he exists at a point where most humans want to be – a bundle of pure love. He wants to be seen, accepted and acknowledged. He has no human biases or prejudices and just spreads the love around.
Eddie Perfect as Shane Warne in Shane Warne: The Musical
If you were gay, who would be your celebrity bromance?
Adam Liaw from MasterChef Australia. He’s supersmart and passionate about what he does. I love cooking, and he’s the one person who has influenced the way I think about food. So, just to say thanks, I would have sex with him. We’re both married, so it might be complicated! But in this fantasy world of mine, that’s what’s happening.
“Some put a label on Beetlejuice, like maybe he’s pansexual, because he doesn’t discriminate with who he harasses!”
Have you visited many gay clubs with your mates?
I’m as surprised as anyone that I came out of a three-year musical theatre degree to still be straight. It’s a depressing reality, but it’s who I am. But back in my twenties, I spent a lot of time in Commercial Road, Melbourne, with my many gay friends and colleagues. I did a few gigs at gay bars like The Market, and I’d also go to the Peel in Collingwood. Then there’s been great fun at the Sydney Mardi Gras, and I have fond memories of The Colombian Hotel. My favourite night out in Sydney was in Taylor Square in a basement bar called Manacle. It had a chainmail spider’s web on the dancefloor!
Eddie Perfect (Beetlejuice) and Karis Oka as (Lydia Deetz) Photo: Benny Capp
What’s your irresistible dancefloor song?
It’s a track called Do It Right, by Martin Solveig with vocals by Tkay Maidza, who is Australian. It’s my favourite for the dancefloor, as well as Boys by Lizzo.
Who’s your music diva?
Beyonce! I grew up loving blues, jazz, gospel and hip-hop. I love black American music from the 1950s onwards. I’ve always been a big fan of a singer’s singer, and I love artists like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Prince, Little Richard and Mahalia Jackson. Soul and rhythm and blues have been a big genre for me, and I feel that Beyoncé is the modern inheritor of that. She’s so wonderfully inventive, and every time I hear her, I feel a closer recognition of her culture. I also have teenage daughters and listen to a lot of contemporary music. At the moment, Doja Cat, Doechii and Sabrina Carpenter are getting a big run in the car!
Eddie Perfect with the cast of Beetlejuice: The Muscial Photo: Michelle Grace Hunder
When I last interviewed you in 2008, you weren’t sure what Shane Warne would think of your production, Shane Warne: The Musical. But it opened to success, and he loved it. What are your memories of the late great man?
My memory of Shane is that he was incredibly polite, well-mannered and supportive. He came to see a preview, liked it and agreed to come back on opening night. He came onstage and took a bow with me, and we walked off hand-in-hand. He came to the afterparty and chatted with people, including my dad, who was thrilled! Shane was so sweet, funny and generous with his time. The reason people always say he was so charismatic is that he actually was. I had a huge amount of respect for Shane Warne.
Eddie Perfect as Beetlejuice Photo: Michelle Grace Hunder
Do you have a favourite quote?
Yes, from Dory in the film Finding Nemo, where she says, “Just keep swimming”.
“I’m as surprised as anyone that I came out of a three-year musical theatre degree to still be straight.”
Do you have a grooming tip?
Never put product in your hair when it’s totally dry. It just doesn’t work in wet hair. Especially for straight men, stop fucking around, get a hair dryer and blow it completely before you put in the product.
What’s been your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?
It happened when I was cast in Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical. On the first day of rehearsals, I made a rookie mistake. Instead of wearing tracksuit pants, I wore Chinos because, for some reason, I thought Day One would be sitting around doing a script read or sing-through, but no, the first day was a dance call! I ended up ripping my Chinos open and was completely exposed. I had to dance around in my underwear!
Briefs, boxer briefs or freeballing?
Boxer briefs give me a sense of security. I’m always thinking, “What if there’s like an explosion, I lose all my clothes, and I’m still in my undies?” Standing around in a pair of Y-fronts doesn’t feel very utilitarian. I wouldn’t feel comfortable running into the street to redirect traffic around a flaming car. Boxer briefs give the impression of being shorts while also being underpants!
For more: beetlejuicethemusical.com.au
Follow Eddie on Instagram @edmundperfect
Eddie Perfect as Beetlejuice and Karis Oka as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice: The Muscial Photo: Michelle Grace HunderPhoto: Michelle Grace Hunder
