Each month we like to spotlight one of the members of the Limelight Theatre community. This month, meet Jane Anderson, the Wanneroo Rep’s acting Secretary!

Jane has been involved in the Perth performing arts scene since childhood. Her first memory of dancing is being back stage at His Majesty’s Theatre with the ‘big girl’ dancers stretching with their legs up against the wall. Her mum enrolled her in ballet when she was five; Jane then tried Callisthenics for a while before starting theatrical dance with Shirley Halliday where she felt right at home!

As well as dancing, Jane is a talented singer who performs as part of the folk trio, ‘The Folkin’ Bogans’, ‘I don’t remember when I started singing,’ says Jane, ’but I used to sit and listen to Dad’s records of Peter, Paul and Mary and the Mamas and the Papas, picking out and singing the different harmonies from a very young age. In Grade 3, I sang ‘If I had a Hammer’ to the class for show and tell!’

Jane started performing in musicals at high school, where her school principal was a director for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Jane was involved in two G&S productions during this time – ‘Pirates of Penzance’ and ‘The Mikado’ – playing the lead in both.

Performing in musicals didn’t stop when Jane left high school. Her first show with Wanneroo Rep was in 1984 with ‘Company B Blues’. ‘I was one of the Andrews Sisters, along with my sister Gillian. We sang Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. We also did a tap dance number and the stage was so slippery, I fell on my backside in the middle of the routine! I did get up and finish the dance.’ A true professional!

In the mid-1980s, Jane married Mal Anderson, after which they left Perth for some time due to his work commitments. Jane and Mal, along with children Jacob and Peter, travelled all over WA for fifteen years before settling back in Perth when Jacob started high school. During these years, Jane worked with the Northam Theatre Group, Wickham Amateur Theatre Society, participated in the North West Drama Festival, and the Albany Light Opera & Theatre Co.

In 2009 Jane returned to the Limelight Theatre, playing the maid in ‘Out of Order’ and she hasn’t stopped since! You may have seen her on the stage as Sister Mary Hubert in ‘Nunsense’ and ‘Nunsense II’, Florence in ‘Chess’, Chelsea in ‘On Golden Pond’ and Helene in ‘Sweet Charity’ amongst others. Of these roles, Jane found Sister Mary Hubert was a lot of fun. ‘It is quite freeing to wear a habit!’ she says. Helene in ‘Sweet Charity’ was also wonderful opportunity for Jane to sing and dance. ‘I wish I was 10 years younger or 20 kilos lighter playing that role,’ reflects Jane, ‘but I relished the chance to actually dance properly. I think I am coming to the end of my dancing career.’

Jane also loved playing Florence in ‘Chess’. ‘It is an extremely challenging musical and I took on the role with 6 weeks to opening night,’ Jane explains. ‘I was learning the complicated harmonies of the chorus, when I was asked to replace the original Florence. The musical is very dramatic and I loved that I could act through singing. I was very pleased with the outcome despite ‘Chess’ not being to everyone’s taste. It is a dream role for a singer.’

As well as being on stage, Jane is one of the Wanneroo Rep’s behind the scenes stars, working as the acting committee secretary, behind the bar during performance seasons and organising events at the theatre including this year’s awards night. What else would she like to do at the theatre?

‘I would like to do a musical with an age appropriate role for me, that requires a big sing. Perhaps a small 6-hander with intricate harmonies. I love a challenge. I would also like to direct, just building up the courage to start.’ Sounds like a great goal to work towards!