Human Nature Announced as Patrons of Bankstown Theatre Company

One of the world's greatest pop vocal groups and a true international success story,

Human Nature, have been announced as Patrons of Bankstown Theatre Company almost 30 years after beginning their performing careers in musicals with the community theatre group.

Friends from an early age, Toby Allen, Phil Burton, and brothers Andrew and Mike Tierney performed together in Bankstown Theatre Company's 1995 production of West Side Story.

Years earlier Mike Tierney performed the lead role in Oliver, a musical the company are presenting again from 21-30 July for the first time since Mike performed the lead role 25 years ago.

"Community theatre is a fantastic way young people can gain a great sense of teamwork, make new friendships, help build self confidence, learn new skills. It's a great introduction into the world of performing arts in a fun, welcoming environment. I learnt a lot from my time performing at Bankstown Theatre Company and really found my love for the stage," Mike Tierney said.

"Community theatre is such a wonderful place to promote confidence in young people, getting the opportunity to work along side others that share a love for the performing arts. It also shows them that when people from all walks of life come together in the community, they can work together to create wondrous pieces of entertainment," said Toby Allen.

Edward Rooke, President of Bankstown Theatre Company said; "We are delighted and honoured to have Human Nature bring their talent and influence to our company. Their talent, sense of community and humble approach to their career has been nothing short of inspiring. These are four men that have never forgotten their roots and who have always generously nurtured talent during their busy career."

Please see a full Q&A of all four members of Human Nature about their experiences performing with Bankstown Theatre Company and their love of community theatre.

Human Nature currently reside in Las Vegas where they perform their headlining hit "Jukebox" Show, 5 nights a week at The Venetian and recently toured Australia in February as part of their 'Ultimate Jukebox Tour' following the success of their #1 album 'Gimme Some Lovin' Jukebox Vol II.

For more information about Bankstown Theatre Company's upcoming production of Oliver 21-30 July, please visit: www.bankstowntheatrecompany.com.

MICHAEL TIERNEY

1. HOW DID YOU COME TO JOIN BTC?

I joined BTS with my brother & sister for a production of Fiddler On The Roof in 1989, I was 12 at the time and had really just started to have an interest in performing on stage. I remember this was such a great introduction into musical theatre and great fun being part of group of people that loved performing.

2. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST SHOW/ROLE WITH BTS?

I was part of the chorus for Fiddler On the Roof.

3. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THAT SHOW?

I remember the rehearsal time & having fun with the other kids and adults in the show, the excitement of finally getting on the stage & in front of an audience. Also the feeling of accomplishment when it had finished - it was a really great experience.

4. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW WITH BTS AND WHY?

I was lucky enough to play Oliver Twist in the musical Oliver and also West Side Story was a real highlight for me.

6. ANY FUNNY/INTERESTING MOMENTS FROM THAT TIME?

I remember lots of laughs in rehearsals for shows and really just looking forward to catching up with everyone from week to week. I loved watching it all come together from the music to costumes, the sets & production. As a kid it was amazing seeing everyone work together & having fun.

7. DO YOU STILL ENJOY MUSICAL THEATRE? WHATS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW?

I still love musical theatre and now have started introducing my daughter to it as well, recently I have loved seeing Matilda, and Phantom Of The Opera is still a favorite for me.

8. IS THERE A ROLE YOU'D LOVE TO DO IN MUSICAL THEATRE?

The role of Tony In West Side Story would be great, or one of the Prince's in Into The Woods always look like a fun roles to play.

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUNG PEOPLE GAIN FROM BEING IN COMMUNITY THEATRE?

I think Community theatre is a fantastic way young people can gain a great sense of teamwork, make new friendships, help build self confidence, learn new skills. It's a great introduction into the world of performing arts in a fun, welcoming environment. I learnt a lot from my time performing at BTC and really found my love for the stage.

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Phil Burton

1. HOW DID YOU COME TO JOIN BTC?

I joined BTS through the Tierney family actually! Andrew and Mike and the rest of the Tierneys were in a production of Fiddler On The Roof in 1989 and I went to watch.

2. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST SHOW/ROLE WITH BTS?

The first show I was in was "Bye Bye Birdie". I remember my role was super important - "boy number 3" or something similar...

3. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THAT SHOW?

I really remember that everything to do with the show was a lot of fun - it's a show with a lot of teenage roles, so the weekly rehearsals were always a great chance to catch up with friends and annoy the adults.

4. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW WITH BTS AND WHY?

We did a performance of West Side Story that I loved being a part of. Once again it has a lot of roles for young people so there was such an element of fun to go with the seriousness of the show itself.

5. ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR PEOPLE FROM BTS THAT YOU REMEMBER FROM THAT TIME?

I remember that there was such a mix at the BTS - there were families with kids around my age like the Tierneys and the Dermodys, others like the Cairncross and Crease families who played such a large role in getting shows prepared, and also teachers and quite a lot of semi-professional performers who swapped between amateur and professional productions, so their experience really helped the younger people learn the ropes.

6. ANY FUNNY/INTERESTING MOMENTS FROM THAT TIME?

Our school music teacher (Ian Jefferson) was involved in BTS, and we always thought he was very clever and talented, but when we all were told that BTS was performing a musical he had written, I think that blew our minds a little bit. He wrote a whole musical???

I also remember successfully throwing my dance partner in the air once at a West Side Story rehearsal. The catching part? Not so good I'm afraid. Put her out of action for a couple of weeks. I still feel bad about that one...

7. DO YOU STILL ENJOY MUSICAL THEATRE? WHATS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW?

I really do love musical theatre - and it was definitely BTS who gave me that love in the first place. My favourite show has always been "Into The Woods". I'm a big Stephen Sondheim fan and everything about that show is so clever - the music, the lyrics, the way the different stories all interconnect - it's an incredible show.

8. IS THERE A ROLE YOU'D LOVE TO DO IN MUSICAL THEATRE?

I've always had a fantasy of playing Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar - being a rock music fan myself I'd love to get to sing some of those amazing rock songs written for his character.

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUNG PEOPLE GAIN FROM BEING IN COMMUNITY THEATRE?

I think young people can learn so much from community theatre - the sense of camaraderie in building something together as a team, the discipline of rehearsals and performance, the friendships, and also the joy in stepping on the stage and showing off something you have created with everyone around you and hearing the appreciation from the audience - they are all great experiences and with such a professional organisation like BTS they were all so enjoyable to learn.

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Toby Allen

1. HOW DID YOU COME TO JOIN BTC?

I became aware of BTC through Andrew, Mike and their family having been a part of their productions.

It was after seeing a couple of their shows that got me interested in trying to become part of it myself.

2. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST SHOW/ROLE WITH BTS?

I believe I actually did some operating for a production of Bye, Bye Birdie. It was after this that I auditioned for their production of West Side Story and played the role of Arab.

3. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THAT SHOW?

One of my clearest memories about West Side Story was the night a whole bunch of my family came to see it.

The director had asked if anyone was comfortable smoking on stage - I said I would (not really thinking ahead!). As it turned out, I was the first person on stage, sauntering on, pulling a packet of cigarettes from my shirt sleeve and lighting up.

Well there was an audible gasp from the row of my family in the audience! And after the show my mum made a bee line for me and said "You don't smoke do you?!". "Of course not mum, it was for the role." ;-)

4. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW WITH BTS AND WHY?

West Side Story was the only production I appeared in with them. It was a bit difficult as a boarder at school to get to rehearsals etc. But I did spend a lot of time with the company and definitely went and saw a lot of their productions.

5. ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR PEOPLE FROM BTW THAT YOU REMEMBER FROM THAT TIME?

I most clearly remember Sharryn Babcock (nee Dermody), particularly because she also lives in Las Vegas. We formed a great friendship while at BTC and have remained in contact ever since then. We are close friends and it is crazy that now both our children are growing up together and spending so much time together. Sharryn's husband Greg is also our drummer in our show in Vegas, so there is a tight connection between all of us.

6. ANY FUNNY/INTERESTING MOMENTS FROM THAT TIME?

I remember that Sharryn and I used to go out for garlic pizza and coffee a lot during that time. I was actually living with Andrew & Mike and their family (so that we could keep singing together as a group). Well, the mornings after those pizza nights were met with much disgust from the Tierneys as I would open my door and a wave of garlic stench would escape into the house. I was blissfully unaware most of the time ;-)

7. DO YOU STILL ENJOY MUSICAL THEATRE? WHATS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW?

I very much still enjoy musical theatre. I might be a little biased, but I do love Cabaret. I guess having been in a production I have a sweet spot for it. It is gritty, raw and full of so many themes, that for me makes it such a well rounded and thought provoking piece.

8. IS THERE A ROLE YOU'D LOVE TO DO IN MUSICAL THEATRE?

There is a role in what is probably the polar opposite to Cabaret that I would love to play. And that is Miss Trunchbull in Matilda. It looks like such a fun and challenging role to play.

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUNG PEOPLE GAIN FROM BEING IN COMMUNITY THEATRE?

Community theatre is such a wonderful place to promote confidence in young people, getting the opportunity to work along side others that share a love for the performing arts. It also shows them that when people from all walks of life come together in the community, they can work together to create wondrous pieces of entertainment.

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ANDREW TIERNEY

1. HOW DID YOU COME TO JOIN BTC?

I always loved music and performing and was keen to try opportunities outside my high school. Mum and Dad had seen some great productions by BTC (BTS at the time) and thought it would be fun for us to join them for some shows

2. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST SHOW/ROLE WITH BTS?

I seem to recall my first show was Fiddler On The Roof .. I got to play one of the Russian Cossack dancers .. clearly accessing my years of Cossack dance training!!!

3. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THAT SHOW?

I remember how amazing the lead cast was and the incredible bond between the whole cast from rehearsal through to the performances .. it was addictive just being part of a great bunch of people all interested in the same thing

4. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW WITH BTS AND WHY?

My favorite show with BTS was West Side Story. It's such an a amazing musical and the roles were really appropriate for my age .. I was a 'nameless' Jet but loved every minute of the show

6. ANY FUNNY/INTERESTING MOMENTS FROM THAT TIME?

I remember it was the first time I had to wear stage makeup and the older members would coach us in product and application. I don't think anyone in the history of theater has ever won more foundation or thicker eyeliner than Russian Cossack Dancer #3 (namely me) did in that first production of "A Fiddler On The Roof" - incredibly butch though still!!

7. DO YOU STILL ENJOY MUSICAL THEATRE?

I still really enjoy musical theatre. I was blown away by the original Broadway production of 'Jersey Boys' and i think 'Phantom Of The Opera' is probably one of the greatest musical pieces written in any era ... it will live forever that show

8. WHATS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW?

I'd say my favorite musical is Phantom Of The Opera ... it's just so captivating from the opening to the end ... incredible characters, songs and production

9. IS THERE A ROLE YOU'D LOVE TO DO IN MUSICAL THEATRE?

I had always imagined singing the role of Chris in Miss Saigon

10. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUNG PEOPLE GAIN FROM BEING IN COMMUNITY THEATRE?

There are so many great attributes you can gain from local theatre ... a sense of community is one of the great ones and finding like minded people to share a passion with. You also get performance experience and engage in the discipline of rehearsal and preparation for a show. It's honestly rare that people get to make a full-time career of performing so it's an awesome way to elevate your hobby to the stage and get to entertain an audience through being part of a great local theatre company like BTC