Geraldine Turner Interview - Turner's Turn

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Mon 15 Feb 2021

Australian musical theatre legend Geraldine Turner will be taking the stage once again this February in a one night only performance of her extremely memorable cabaret show Turner's Turn. This time the colourful theatre thespian will be taking her show to the Glen Street Theatre as she brings audiences songs and stories from her eclectic theatre career. The intimate affair conveniently timed just after Valentine's Day on February 15th, will allow audiences to experience one of Australia's true theatre icons in a rare and personal solo performance.

Geraldine Turner's sensational career spanning over 40 years has seen her star in the original Australian production of Chicago, Anything Goes, Sweeny Todd, Oliver and Into The Woods just to name a few. Her screen credits have also included iconic Australian shows including Home and Away, All Saints and more recently House Husbands. Not to mention a memorable character performance in The Wog Boy, which at the time was one of the highest-grossing Australian films of all time taking in over $11 million at the box office.


We had the privilege of interviewing the Australian theatre icon on the eve of her next performance:

Really appreciate your time Geraldine. It is a pleasure to be able to talk to you as your amazing stage career continues. What has compelled you revisit your popular show "Turner's Turn" again after this many years? What surprises can audiences look forward to this time around?

This is a show I can pull out of the trunk when I am offered some dates. As it contains a lot of my favourite songs and some, hopefully, funny stories from my long career, it is always a pleasure. The surprises will be whatever happens in the moment as I believe an audience and the performers make a performance.
 
What was the first-ever musical theatre production you saw on stage?

Bye Bye Birdie in Brisbane when I was a child.
 
What was the stage show that inspired you most to become an actress and musical theatre performer?

Seeing June Bronhill in The Merry Widow when I was very young. I remember it being a star performance.
 
You have been a part of so many wonderful musicals over the years, including the likes of Chicago, Anything Goes and Sweeney Todd. What has been your favourite production to be a part of?

This is impossible to answer. I think Sweeney Todd and Oliver were probably my best roles and I believe I brought something unique to each. But of course, I loved doing Chicago and Anything Goes … all singing and dancing, what can be better?
 
You have also had the opportunity to sing so many marvellous songs over your career. I have particularly enjoyed your rendition of "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Boulevard. What is your favourite song to perform?

Again, impossible. It depends on my mood. Sometimes, I love singing a simple little song. Sometimes the big dramatic ballad is hard to beat. I do love telling stories through song.
 
Speaking with many performers over the years I am still constantly fascinated by the creative process. How do you go about embodying the essence of each character you play? And how do you emotionally and mentally prepare for a role?

Trust the material. All the clues to your character are in the script. Trust your instincts and run with your choices and always be in the moment.
 
The manic energy of performing on stage night after night can be very challenging for actors, actresses and performers. Over your career have you practiced any wellbeing rituals before and after a show to maintain your creative energy?

Not really. I do like getting to the theatre very early for a performance. I like walking out onto an empty stage and just being there, soaking in the atmosphere. It is a sacred place.
 
You have always been a wonderful advocate for original Australian musical theatre, however, are there any Broadway musical productions that you wish you could have been a part of?

Simple answer to that is Gypsy. I wish I had had the opportunity after six cancelled productions during my career.
 
Finally, is there any show that you would love to perform in now if the opportunity became available to you in Australia?

Oh, there are many roles I would love to play. I hope some of them come my way. There are many surprises in life. I hope for some "out of the blue" offers in my future.


With the resurgence of musical theatre productions in Australia over the last few months, including the sensational Pippin , Disney's Frozen and the impending Hamilton in Sydney and Moulin Rouge in Melbourne, Turner's Turn could not be more perfectly timed.

Geraldine Tuner's intimate stage show will also feature musical director Brad Miller on piano, who brings his showbiz experience from musicals including Hair, A Chorus Line and In The Heights.

Grab your tickets now, in what is sure to be a once in a lifetime experience as Geraldine brings her unique brand of humour and charisma to audiences eagerly awaiting much more musical theatre.

Tickets to Turner's Turn start at $30 and are available at the Glen Street Theatre website here .

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!date 15/02/2021 -- 15/02/2021
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