Interview: 'Burke on Burke,' Simon Burke Talks Joining Toronto's The Sound of Music

Mirvish Production's The Sound of Music has been enjoying a critically acclaimed and award-winning run at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre for over a year, and for its final few weeks, one of Australia's most versatile and accomplished performers is joining the cast. Simon Burke will be replacing Burke Moses in the role of Captain Von Trapp, as Mr. Moses is leaving early in order to have surgery.

Simon Burke played the role of Captain Von Trapp in London's West End production of The Sound of Music opposite the "Marias" of Connie Fisher and Summer Strallen, and now will join How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? winner Elicia MacKenzie in the Canadian Production.

Mr. Burke began his career at the young age of 13 when he starred in Fred Schepisi's feature film The Devil's Playground for which he won the AFI Award for Best Actor. He did not get involved in musical theatre until late in his career, but has performed in many of musical theatre's biggest roles including Marius in the original Australian cast of Les Miserables, Raoul in the West End production of the Phantom of the Opera, Billy Flynn in Chicago and (most recently) Georges in Terry Johnson's award-winning production of La Cages Aux Folles (where he plays opposite acclaimed actor John Barrowman).

Making his Canadian debut, the actor sat down with BWW to discuss some of the challenges associated with joining a long-running production late in the game, as well as what he is looking forward to in Toronto.

First off, congratulations on the success of La Cage Aux Folles! We are really excited to have you crossing the pond to come here and perform in The Sound of Music. Is this your first time performing in Canada?

It is! My first time performing in Canada and also being in Canada so that is very exciting. It has come completely out of the blue but I am really looking forward to it. While I have been in England performing in La Cage, I am originally from Australia so I am used to hot Christmas's, this will likely be the coldest Christmas I have ever experienced. You have no idea how excited I am for snow at Christmas!

You performed in the Sound of Music in England last year, did you get to work directly with Andrew Lloyd Webber at all?

I took over in the second year of the Western Season, and got to do six months with Connie (Fisher) who like Elicia (MacKenzie), was chosen by the public (on the TV Show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?) Andrew talked to us but I did not do the rehearsal process with him. I rehearsed with Jeremy Sams who is the originating director and one of the reasons I was so keen to take the part. I was actually off in Australia at the time, but I am such a fan of his that I really wanted to do it.

What are you most looking forward to with regards to joining the Canadian Cast?

Well, it is actually coming a bit out of left field, but the twelve months I spent doing The Sound of Music were twelve of the happiest months I have ever had. It really is a timeless and beautiful piece, just a perfect piece of musical theatre and very classic. I feel that Jeremy's production and Rob Jones's design takes it a step further even and it is a real honour to get to do it again. Especially coming into a production that has been so acclaimed and successful as I know the Toronto production has been. It is almost a bit like coming home, but coming home to a new country!

You are currently performing in La Cage Aux Folles in London, certainly a very different type of production then the family friendly Sound of Music. How do you plan on getting prepared to jump back into the shoes of Captain Von Trapp?

They are definitely very different shows, but then when you scratch the surface they are very similar. La Cage is ultimately about family and doing the right thing and love and so is Sound of Music. Both shows have an incredible heart and touch your soul in a way that not many shows do. It is quite odd that La Cage and Sound of Music are probably the two favourite shows I have ever done. I get to finish one and then get another bite at the cherry which is more than anyone could ask for. The characters are very different but the message of the show is similar and the emotional journey is similar. I have even thought about taking my Von Trapp whistle to the drag queens at La Cage to get prepared! *laughs*

You are going to be joining a cast that for the most part, have been working together since the show's opening over a year and a half ago. Do you forsee any specific challenges in regards to coming in right near the end?

Well it is certainly something I have never done before and a very new experience. But all indications are that I will have a great time. I have been hearing what a strong and lovely company it is and that all the backstage people are very welcoming as well. By the same token, these guys are coming to the end of a run and when you come to the end of a contract it is an emotional time and a very special time, so I hope to just quietly slip in and blow my whistle a lot! *laughs*

It actually is a great role, I have even had castmates in La Cage joking about wanting to be Von Trapp children. I found when I was playing the Captain in the West End, it was important to remember that he isn't just this authoritative character, there really is a lot more to him.

What kind of rehearsal time are you getting with this cast before you have your first show?

Not much at all! A couple of days, tops. But, I did over 400 performances of it in London so I am hoping a lot of it will be muscle memory, and with such a great cast, I should be able to just slip right in.

Joining The Sound of Music means you will be in Toronto over the Christmas holidays, do you have any plans or any things you are hoping to experience?

Right now it has been such a whirlwind, my goal is just to get to the theatre and meet my cast and get involved with The Sound of Music and get it rolling. Then I will start worrying about what to do on Christmas. It is actually the last thing on my mind at the moment because I have to get to Canada and get back in the role!

We have been collecting tidbits of advice for aspiring musical theatre actors, mostly from a Canadian perspective, could you give us your take on things? As someone who has had a very esteemed and lengthy career on the world stage, if you could only give one piece of advIce To someone who wants to become involved in musical theatre, what would it be?

Well, I got involved with theatre relatively late in my career, I was in TV and film first. But one thing I have learned is that there isn't too much of a difference between the mediums. The most important thing is that you have to approach your roles from the truth, that is the way to really get your anchor. Always go for the truth and that will help. If you are truthful you can be funny, if you are truthful you can break hearts, if you are truthful you can sing that top note effortlessly. The more I do, the more I realize how important being truthful really is.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Actually, I released my first solo album about three months ago, entitled Something About Always, and on it, I sing Edelweiss (from The Sound of Music). I am very proud of it, and it is actually going to be sold in the lobby at The Princess of Wales Theatre for the end of the run, so I hope people will check it out!

Mr. Burke will begin performances in Toronto on December 8th, 2009 and will play the role for the final four weeks of the production. The Sound of Music ends its record-breaking run at The Princess of Wales Theatre on January 3rd, 2010.

 

 

When and Where?

The Sound of Music - FINAL EXTENSION (Tickets on Sale Until January 3rd, 2010)
The Princess of Wales Theatre - 300 King St West, Toronto, ON

Performances: Tue at 7:00PM, Wed-Sat at 7:30PM, Wed, Sat and Sun at 1:30PM

Tickets range from $26 to $110 with a special number of student rush tickets available two hours prior to the show which can be purchased in person at the box office. To purchase, please call 416.872.1212 or 1.800.461.3333, go online at www.mirvish.com or in person at the box office.

For additional information visit http://www.soundofmusictoronto.ca/

 

 

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