Scott Middleton in his female garb. 80245 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By VANESSA CHIRCOP
FOR actor Scott Middleton, playing a man who plays a woman, has been one of the biggest challenges of his acting career.
The 24-year-old is starring in this month’s Williamstown Little Theatre (WLT) production of ‘Compleat Female Stage Beauty’.
The play takes audiences back to 1661 where King Charles II has decreed that, for the first time, women can perform roles on the stage and has banned men from playing female parts.
This is a dire time for Scott’s character, Edward Kynaston, who not only specialises in female roles but has become famous playing Shakespeare’s character Desdemona from Othello.
The actor is beside himself when the role is stripped from him to be played by female actress Margaret Hughes, who not only absorbs the role, but imitates his every gesture.
Scott describes the play as a comedy but with depth.
“It’s a challenging role – I barely leave the stage,” he said.
“I have to do lots of gender bending.”
It’s the first WLT production for the Point Cook resident who said he was surprised and excited to land the lead.
“It’s a great theatre company.”
Director Chris Baldock said the play was very different to what is usually done in community theatre.
“I think the audience will be taken on an exciting, hilarious, moving journey, and will be thoroughly entertained in the process,” he said.
“I think we have a production to be proud of and I hope it’s one audiences will take away and cherish as I know everyone involved will do.”
The play opened last Thursday and runs until 5 May.
For more information visit www.wlt.org.au or call 9885 9678.
WLT is a community theatre, run entirely by volunteers.
