Acting for Real

Coral Drouyn talks to Jonathan Peck, about to open in his first starring role at The Owl and the Cat in Melbourne.

An illustrious former Prime Minister – Malcolm Fraser – once said “Life wasn’t meant to be easy.” It’s especially true if you’re an actor. Ninety per cent of our actors are out of work at any given time and, whilst a writer can still write; a musician can still play; a designer can still design; an actor needs an audience to act.

“They do prepare us at Drama School. They make sure we have no illusions; that we know how hard it’s going to – but you’re never really prepared for it.” The speaker is Jonathan Peck, a much talked about young actor about town (Melbourne) who opens tonight (previews – official opening June 3^rd) in a world premiere new play Riot by Thomas Ian Doyle. It’s on at one of Melbourne’s favourite indie theatre spaces “The Owl and the Cat” and Jonathan is taking a lunch break from rehearsals to talk to me. He’s having a sandwich in Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens and he’s easily distracted – “Wow….there’s a lorikeet… it’s just come right down beside me…it’s just beautiful. I hope it’s a good luck omen.” Some would say he has had more than his share of luck already, but in truth he burst upon the scene at the beginning of last year through sheer hard work and talent.

Originally from Cairns, Jonathan had dabbled with acting at school – “I was a bit gawky looking so I never got to be the hero” and thought he would probably end up as a media/drama teacher. “It seemed logical, given how hard it was even five years ago to earn a living as an actor.” But when Jon was accepted into the three year National Theatre acting course, all other thoughts went out the window. “It’s an amazing course, and I think it’s the only three year course left that concentrates solely on acting.”

And then he got “lucky”. Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, Melbourne’s foremost and most highly regarded independent company singled Jon out from all the graduating actors in Victoria for their acting internship. Each year, Red Stitch takes the best of the best into the company for a an entire season. “I can’t express how wonderful the experience was,” he enthuses. “I’m there alongside people like Kate Cole and Dion Mills and all these marvellous actors and I am 25 years old and fresh out of drama school….lots of technique but not a lot else at that stage.”

Over the next year Jon was asked his opinions about text, about interpretation, and direction, and got to play on stage alongside actors he admired – he was treated as an equal, which is the beauty of any actors ensemble. He gained great reviews, particularly as Orpheus in the play Euridyce, Jumpers For Goalposts and Glory Dayzed, where he had major roles.

Does working with a company like that when you’re just a graduate spoil you? “Yes….and YES! I hadn’t ever imagined starting at the top like that.” And when the year was up? “Nothing…not a single show,” he says. “I knew I had done some good work with an exemplary company and that should stand me in good stead and open doors, but it didn’t. I’m told I have a lean and hungry look – well I was getting leaner and hungrier by the minute.”

And then he heard of a new play. “I’d been a fan of the Owl and the Pussycat when it was home to Jason Cavanagh’s company, and I knew it was under new management and that Gabrielle (Gabrielle Savrone – new owner and director of “Riot”) was planning some really edgy new works and I was lucky enough to score this amazing new play, which is changing and growing before our eyes as we rehearse. This is another first for me. I’ve never done an original production and gone through this process before. Right now I’m exploring the arc of the character, getting into his skin, discovering all the things that brought him to that moment when the play starts.”

Jon doesn’t want to give too much away but tells me Riot is a play about pain and the cruelty we can inflict as our way of dealing with it. “My character is a man who is running away, refusing to deal with his demons. The play has so much to say about the human condition.

Sandwiches finished, Jon had to get back to rehearsals but I asked him what would be his dream role in a perfect world. “Oh, Richard III,” he answers without hesitation. “That’s a role to make an actor salivate just thinking about it. But I’m aware that part of the reason I want it is because Richard is a misfit…no-one’s idea of the handsome prince.” Is that how he sees himself? “I think my looks are not those of a traditional leading man. And the great character roles aren’t for 27 year olds. I must be the only actor who wants to be 10 years older so that I look right for the roles I can get my teeth into.”

Whatever his age, Peck is a very gifted actor and you’d be crazy to miss him in “Riot”

Chookas for tonight Jon.

Riot

By Thomas Ian Doyle

At The Owl & The Cat, 34 Swanston St, Richmond

June 1 - 14, 2015

www.owlandcat.com.au