Before landing your role on Neighbours, what sort of acting work had you done?
I'd spent 20 years working in theatre: in dance and musical theatre. I started with The Australian Ballet, then Modern Dans Toplulguu (Ankara, Turkey), Nomad Dance Theatre, then Sydney Dance Company. A lot of those performances were narrative roles, and though they're different from acting there are also many similarities involved with finding and developing a character.
After that I spent four and a half years doing, Dirty Dancing - the classic story in stage (1500 shows!).
Since 2009 - other than some brief musical theatre stints - I worked in TV (Dance Academy - ABC TV), Spartacus - Gods of the Arena (Starz network), a small, guest stint on Home & Away and short films.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I wanted to act before I started dancing. I can't say why exactly except that I liked being part of a theatre community where difference was celebrated instead of derided or ridiculed. I fell in love with the people and the process.
What did your audition process involve?
The audition process for Neighbours involved doing a couple of scenes from the show, though they were extended versions. One with Paul Robinson and another with Lauren Turner. I auditioned three times before being offered the role.
I'd spent 20 years working in theatre: in dance and musical theatre. I started with The Australian Ballet, then Modern Dans Toplulguu (Ankara, Turkey), Nomad Dance Theatre, then Sydney Dance Company. A lot of those performances were narrative roles, and though they're different from acting there are also many similarities involved with finding and developing a character.
After that I spent four and a half years doing, Dirty Dancing - the classic story in stage (1500 shows!).
Since 2009 - other than some brief musical theatre stints - I worked in TV (Dance Academy - ABC TV), Spartacus - Gods of the Arena (Starz network), a small, guest stint on Home & Away and short films.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I wanted to act before I started dancing. I can't say why exactly except that I liked being part of a theatre community where difference was celebrated instead of derided or ridiculed. I fell in love with the people and the process.
What did your audition process involve?
The audition process for Neighbours involved doing a couple of scenes from the show, though they were extended versions. One with Paul Robinson and another with Lauren Turner. I auditioned three times before being offered the role.
You arrived on Ramsay Street in 2013 as Matt Turner, what was it like joining the show?
I was thrilled to join the cast of such an iconic and much-loved show. The speed at which the show films was and can still be daunting at times, but it's always an exciting challenge.
What has it been like working with Neighbours legends Tom Oliver, Stefan Dennis, Alan Fletcher, Jackie Woodbourne and Ryan Moloney?
All the cast are wonderful in different ways. The more established cast members are supremely dedicated, hard-working professionals, but also know how to relax and enjoy the process, even when under enormous pressure. I've learnt a lot from them.
How did it feel coming into the show as the new family?
It's been exciting coming in as a family, especially one that already has a strong connection to the neighbourhood via Lou and Lauren. Coming in as a family has strengths and vulnerabilities. On the one hand you come in with readymade stories and relationships, part of something solid and defined, but on the other hand those relationships have to be immediately believable even though you've just met.
Are there any similarities between you and Matt?
While I'm a left-handed, colour blind, vegetarian, politically left of centre, ex-ballet dancing turned actor there are some similarities.
The love for our families is at the core of our being and defines us. We both have a strong sense of wanting to serve and protect and it's these qualities that I connect to with Matt's character.
He doesn't always immediately know or feel what the right thing to do is, but he always fights against his more primal instincts of fear and ego to rise above and do 'the right thing' and I like to think I try to do this also, though I'm not always successful.
What has been your favourite storyline so far?
I really don't have 'favourite' story lines or scenes. I enjoy the diversity and challenge of always mixing it up.
What has been the most challenging storyline so far, not only for Matt as a character but you as an actor?
I think the most challenging story line for Matt is the stuff we've recently shot that I can't discuss. It's really made him question everything about himself and that's been wonderful to play.
As an actor I often find the most challenging story lines are the ones where you don't have a lot to play. Where you're peripheral and you have to struggle to make up a world that doesn't exist on the page because your character isn't the focus of the scene.
Have you enjoyed playing a police officer?
Yes. It's made me even more aware of the difficulties police officers must face in the border world between the professional and the personal. It must be a difficult line to manage sometimes. And its filled me with a deeper respect for the work they do in serving and protecting the community.
I was thrilled to join the cast of such an iconic and much-loved show. The speed at which the show films was and can still be daunting at times, but it's always an exciting challenge.
What has it been like working with Neighbours legends Tom Oliver, Stefan Dennis, Alan Fletcher, Jackie Woodbourne and Ryan Moloney?
All the cast are wonderful in different ways. The more established cast members are supremely dedicated, hard-working professionals, but also know how to relax and enjoy the process, even when under enormous pressure. I've learnt a lot from them.
How did it feel coming into the show as the new family?
It's been exciting coming in as a family, especially one that already has a strong connection to the neighbourhood via Lou and Lauren. Coming in as a family has strengths and vulnerabilities. On the one hand you come in with readymade stories and relationships, part of something solid and defined, but on the other hand those relationships have to be immediately believable even though you've just met.
Are there any similarities between you and Matt?
While I'm a left-handed, colour blind, vegetarian, politically left of centre, ex-ballet dancing turned actor there are some similarities.
The love for our families is at the core of our being and defines us. We both have a strong sense of wanting to serve and protect and it's these qualities that I connect to with Matt's character.
He doesn't always immediately know or feel what the right thing to do is, but he always fights against his more primal instincts of fear and ego to rise above and do 'the right thing' and I like to think I try to do this also, though I'm not always successful.
What has been your favourite storyline so far?
I really don't have 'favourite' story lines or scenes. I enjoy the diversity and challenge of always mixing it up.
What has been the most challenging storyline so far, not only for Matt as a character but you as an actor?
I think the most challenging story line for Matt is the stuff we've recently shot that I can't discuss. It's really made him question everything about himself and that's been wonderful to play.
As an actor I often find the most challenging story lines are the ones where you don't have a lot to play. Where you're peripheral and you have to struggle to make up a world that doesn't exist on the page because your character isn't the focus of the scene.
Have you enjoyed playing a police officer?
Yes. It's made me even more aware of the difficulties police officers must face in the border world between the professional and the personal. It must be a difficult line to manage sometimes. And its filled me with a deeper respect for the work they do in serving and protecting the community.
If you weren’t playing Matt, which character would you enjoy playing?
I would love to tackle being Sonya. She has such an interesting backstory and strikes a wonderful balance between the eccentric, intelligent and compassionate.
The web series Neighbours Vs. Zombies came out at Halloween. What was it like filming the series and becoming a zombie?
I wasn't that involved in the series, but I loved the opportunity to get made-up as a Zombie and be a small part of the process. I hope Neighbours are able to do many more such webisodes in future.
Matt has also been involved in nude art with Lauren. What was it like filming those scenes?
Fun. Kate laughed at me a lot!
What can we expect to see in the future for Matt and the Turner’s?
That's always in the hands of the writing gods!
What does an average day on the set of Neighbours involve for you? How long are you usually on set for?
Every day varies widely. Sometimes you can work from 6.15am through to 6pm and be on the go all day, while other days you might only do one scene and finish at 8am or come in for 6 scenes starting at noon. The variation every day and every week, as story lines change is what keeps it really interesting.
I would love to tackle being Sonya. She has such an interesting backstory and strikes a wonderful balance between the eccentric, intelligent and compassionate.
The web series Neighbours Vs. Zombies came out at Halloween. What was it like filming the series and becoming a zombie?
I wasn't that involved in the series, but I loved the opportunity to get made-up as a Zombie and be a small part of the process. I hope Neighbours are able to do many more such webisodes in future.
Matt has also been involved in nude art with Lauren. What was it like filming those scenes?
Fun. Kate laughed at me a lot!
What can we expect to see in the future for Matt and the Turner’s?
That's always in the hands of the writing gods!
What does an average day on the set of Neighbours involve for you? How long are you usually on set for?
Every day varies widely. Sometimes you can work from 6.15am through to 6pm and be on the go all day, while other days you might only do one scene and finish at 8am or come in for 6 scenes starting at noon. The variation every day and every week, as story lines change is what keeps it really interesting.
How does theatre compare to television? Which do you prefer?
I have no preference. I need and want them both for different reasons. They require slightly different skill sets and that challenges me. Ultimately it's wonderful when you have the chance to switch between both over the course of a couple of years.
What inspired you to pursue dancing?
I saw a production of Giselle on TV and was amazed watching dancers tell a story through dance and music. Then I became obsessed with the young people doing ballet: with their vision and passion. I wanted to feel what they felt, to know that level of commitment and discipline.
Were you a fan before joining the show? Do you watch it now you’re on it?
I watched Neighbours when I was a teenager, but hadn't watched it for many years. When I got offered the role I started watching again and now it's part of our family night-time routine.
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach the 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
I think there are very few narrative shows on TV that can be shared by all the family. There are cartoon series like The Simpsons, there are comedies, reality programs and game shows, but I can't think of another show in Australia that can be watched by all the family together.
While it often brings up difficult topics, it does it in such a way that they can still be viewed by younger audiences and then perhaps discussed. I think that's unique and why it's very important that we have TV drama that does that. Most dramas are specifically for one demographic or another: drama's for teenagers, or twenty-something's or older adults. But every family member can watch and enjoy Neighbours and I think that's part of the key to its enduring success.
That and Ramsay Street and its inhabitants have become iconic of Australian life and that resonates strongly, particularly to overseas audiences.
I have no preference. I need and want them both for different reasons. They require slightly different skill sets and that challenges me. Ultimately it's wonderful when you have the chance to switch between both over the course of a couple of years.
What inspired you to pursue dancing?
I saw a production of Giselle on TV and was amazed watching dancers tell a story through dance and music. Then I became obsessed with the young people doing ballet: with their vision and passion. I wanted to feel what they felt, to know that level of commitment and discipline.
Were you a fan before joining the show? Do you watch it now you’re on it?
I watched Neighbours when I was a teenager, but hadn't watched it for many years. When I got offered the role I started watching again and now it's part of our family night-time routine.
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach the 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
I think there are very few narrative shows on TV that can be shared by all the family. There are cartoon series like The Simpsons, there are comedies, reality programs and game shows, but I can't think of another show in Australia that can be watched by all the family together.
While it often brings up difficult topics, it does it in such a way that they can still be viewed by younger audiences and then perhaps discussed. I think that's unique and why it's very important that we have TV drama that does that. Most dramas are specifically for one demographic or another: drama's for teenagers, or twenty-something's or older adults. But every family member can watch and enjoy Neighbours and I think that's part of the key to its enduring success.
That and Ramsay Street and its inhabitants have become iconic of Australian life and that resonates strongly, particularly to overseas audiences.
Interviewed December 2014