A Wicked Homecoming

Image: Courtney Monsma, Sheridan Adams and Ensemble in WICKED. Photographer: Jeff Busby.

Coral Drouyn talks to Courtney and Emily Monsma on the eve of Wicked returning to Brisbane at QPAC this weekend.

There’s an Emerald City lurking in the distance in Wicked, which must surely be on everyone’s Favourite Musicals Of All Time list. However, there’s a Golden City just down the road from Brisbane’s cultural centre. It’s called - wait for it - The Gold Coast.

Why is this significant, I hear you ask?

Well, it’s the home of The Monsma girls, Courtney and older sister Emily. Courtney, of course, stars as Glinda the Good Witch in the current production of Wicked, and her sister has been her understudy and is currently part of the fabulous ensemble. The two, despite being born in Adelaide, consider themselves Gold Coast girls through and through.

“We grew up near Tallebudgera Creek,” they tell me. “It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the Goldie and we were always hitting the beach whenever we had the time,” Emily explains. “Except when we were taking classes,” Courtney chips in, “or auditioning for community theatre.”

Spotlight Theatre Company played a big part in the girls’ performing development. “We both auditioned for Gypsy,” Courtney tells me. “It was a really big deal for us because Spotlight had a really good reputation, and they were pretty fussy at the auditions. I really hoped we would get in, but it wasn’t a done deal.”

“It was for you,” Emily (pictured right) quips, and goes on to tell me, “Courtney nailed it and got to play Baby June in that production. But I actually got to play Glinda first, in Matt Ward’s production of Wicked at HOTA.”

“That’s true,” Courtney concedes, and the sisters giggle. I wonder if they are highly competitive.

“We are if we are going for the same role,” Courtney explains.

“But we are also each other’s number one fans,” Emily chips in, “and we are there for each other against all competition.”

“We’re so closeknit that people often think we are twins,” Courtney adds.

When they are home, they both catch whatever musicals they can at Spotlight and other community theatres.

“Now that we know what goes on in big professional productions, we’re even more grateful that we cut our teeth in Community theatre - it is so much more difficult when there is no money to solve production problems,” Courtney explains.

When the time came to study seriously for their careers, both girls chose to go to Queensland Conservatorium of Music, rather than the more lauded WAAPA. Partly it was because they didn’t want to leave home and travel across to Perth, but also from a strong sense of loyalty to their home state.

“The Con was the perfect place for us. It meant we could be home, and in familiar surroundings while we studied,” Emily says.

“And we used to go up to QPAC and see musicals when our parents would take us,” Courtney adds, “so we knew exactly where it was.”

“The Con was really finding its feet, even though it’s just a few years ago. It didn’t have heaps in terms of facilities, but it had fantastic teachers,” Emily adds.

Both girls studied under the renowned Paul Sabey.

“He was…like…. considered the best teacher of Musical Theatre in England,” Courtney says.

“Or maybe even the world,” Emily adds.

“Well, he was just amazing and we were so lucky,” Courtney concludes and Emily murmurs agreement.

The two girls have gone on to dominate Musical Theatre in Australia in the past five years, with Courtney playing Princess Anna in Frozen as well as Katherine Howard in the smash hit SIX, and Emily originating the role of Leah in Nickleodeon’s Shimmer and Shine. LIVE

On Saturday 14^th September, both will take the stage for the OFFICIAL opening night of Wicked. And Sunday morning?

“Probably sleep in,” Emily suggests. “And then maybe hit the creek (Tallebudgera) for a swim,” Courtney adds.

For these Golden Girls…. There’s no place like home.

BRISBANE SEASON DETAILS

Venue: Lyric Theatre, QPAC

Season: 12 September – 17 November

Performance Times: Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6:30pm

Prices: From $75.00 (transaction fees apply)

Bookings:  qpac.com.au or phone 136 246

Groups 8+ call (07) 3840 7466