Each month we like to spotlight one of the members of the Limelight Theatre community. This month, meet the director of ‘Pygmalion’, Jacob Turner!
Jacob has been interested in theatre since he was very young. As he got older that interest evolved and he started studying theatre at school, followed by university, where he recently completed a Bachelor of Education majoring in Drama Teaching. Over the past six years, Jacob has been involved in eight full scale theatre productions including an entirely original ensemble creation, which possibly the biggest project he has been a part of to date.
Jacob first became involved at the Wanneroo Rep. in 2012, when he was asked to join the cast of Sunset Boulevard. ‘It was an enormously positive experience for me,’ says Jacob, ‘and I’ve been involved here ever since’. This is very true. Since Sunset Boulevard, Jacob has also been involved in at least one show a year at Limelight, including Hairspray (2013), Pride and Prejudice (2014), The Darling Buds of May (2015) and Skylight (2016). His favourite role so far has been playing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. ‘Not only did I have the chance to work with a fantastic group of people, but it was a dream role in a classic and very well realized play,’ says Jacob. ‘I committed more to that production than I think I’ve ever given to another production which resulted in a set of performances I was (and still am) very proud of’.
This year, Jacob will have his directorial debut with George Bernard Shaw’s classic play, Pygmalion. ‘I’ve spent a lot of time being directed during my time in theatre and I wanted the opportunity to try it for myself,’ Jacob explains. ‘I always want some new experience that will challenge me and directing seemed like the next big step I could have taken’.
So why did Jacob decide to take on directing such a famous play as his debut? ‘When I first read the play a few years ago I absolutely fell in love with the combination of sharp wit and a genuine understanding of the human condition that George Bernard Shaw incorporated into a captivating story,’ says Jacob.
So far, the experience has been positive. ‘Directing has been a fantastic experience! I have been very lucky to work with a team of very talented people both on stage and behind the scenes who have dedicated enormous amounts of time and energy to working on this production,’ says Jacob.
And after it’s all over? ‘Well at this point I will be working on the production of The Wedding Singer directly after Pygmalion finishes. After that I would like to go back to acting until I make up my mind about what to direct next!’.
0 Comments