Theatre
Q&A
Trevor Ashley prepares to go full diva for The Bodybag
Trevor Ashley brings his latest panto, The Bodybag, to Aussie theatres this May and June.
Wickedly funny, romance-thriller-musical, The Bodybag, is the newest pantomime from Phil Scott and Trevor Ashley, following their success with Fat Swan (2012) and Little Orphan TrAshley (2013).
The Bodybag tells the tale of Australian Idol runner up, Rachel Marinade (Trevor Ashley), who desperately needs protection following a series of creep fan mail messages and the loss of her driver’s license. Ex-ASIO officer and current Uber driver Tank Charmer (Gus Murray) comes to the rescue, protecting Rachel and getting her to her destination with 5 stars.
Expect to hear all the songs you know and love like you’ve never heard – or wanted to hear – before, this time with one of our favourite, and most hilarious, Aussie stars at the helm.
We caught up with Trevor Ashley to get the inside scoop on The Bodybag: The Musical – heading to the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne in May, following the Sydney season at The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House.
Scroll down for our chat with Trevor Ashley:
What can audiences expect from The Bodybag: The Panto?
“Outrageousness. Laughs. Songs. Sexy boys. Hilarity. Audience participation. Political incorrectness. Basically it’s the best night out you’ll ever have.”
How do you prepare for a role like Rachel Marinade?
“I drink too much, sleep in ’till noon and verbally abuse waiters. I try and get into character as much as I can for this diva. Oh, and I sing a bit too.”
You’re not afraid of pushing the boundaries in your shows but are you ever tempted to ‘play it safe’?
“Playing it safe is for sissies! [laughs] No, it’s not really in my nature to do that. I like taking risks, and I love audiences knowing I’m pushing as many boundaries as I can.”
Do you have any particular role models or icons who inspire you to be brave and take bolder chances with comedy?
“Ricky Gervais is a huge inspiration. He pushes the line quite a lot… and then jumps over it. He’s brilliant. I love early Bette Midler too… she was always doing outrageous and dirty comedy before any other woman did.”
Do you get time to see many other theatre or live music shows while on tour?
“I see lots all the time… it’s always great to immerse yourself in other people’s work to get inspired. I often come out of shows and think; why didn’t I think of that?
What would be your dream role in any musical, past or present?
“I really want to play Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd. One day I will buy the rights and put it on. She’s my favourite.”
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone starting out in musical theatre?
“Don’t do what I do! No, that’s not true. I would say work hard, immerse yourself in the industry and never give up. Sometimes it just takes a little longer…”
See Trevor Ashley star in The Bodybag: The Panto at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre on 31 May, 1 and 2 June 2018. Book now at Ticketmaster.com.au.
