Name: Liam Waide
Year: 12
House: School
Which character do you play?
Warner Huntington the Third.
In a sentence or two, sum up who your character is in the context of the story:
Warner is Elle’s (main character) first boyfriend from UCLA, who has dreams of becoming a top notch lawyer. He cares only for himself and his ambitions...and only wants the best for himself.
What do you like most about playing this character?
Warner has got himself into some funny situations which I will enjoy performing.
Have there been any challenges taking on this role?
Acting like a stuck-up rich private school boy heading off to Harvard is a challenge in itself, however the big challenge is nailing an American accent and trying to lose the kiwi twang to make the production as amazing as it will be! Or even better!
Without giving away too much, what are you most excited for the audience to see?
I’m excited for the audience to see the whole thing. From the dance routines to the catchy songs and the amazing set changes! It is quite different from last year’s production and your typical musical. It is a lot more modern, fun and humorous, and a lot is happening!
Is this your first stage show/musical or have you performed before?
I’ve done a few shows previous to this one. When I was living overseas in Japan I performed in the 80s musical Disco Inferno and also a production written by the Deputy Head of the school I was at. And I was part of Jekyll and Hyde last year here at St Paul’s.
If you could star in any other musical, what would it be?
Definitely Grease. I love the music and everyone knows the show well, so it would be heaps of fun.
Who do you look up to (as an actor/singer/performer)?
Ever since I was little, I loved Michael Jackson. I wanted to move and sound like him – obviously very impossible. But I very much looked up to him as a singer and definitely as a performer. I was named after Liam Neeson, which is why I’m probably such a performer as my family would say.
Do you have plans to continue with performing once you leave school?
It’s definitely something I have considered. There’s plenty of schools I can go to that will help me.
Is there anything additional you would like to share about your experience so far being involved in this year’s school production?
Behind the scenes is hard work but also a lot of laughs and smiles. I love this time of the year when we are in full swing with rehearsals because you become a big group of friends. This year we have a lot of behind the scenes being documented to show to the students next year who don’t usually go out on a limb and get involved in activities like this. It will show them that it is a place where we are all trying to do our best and to improve, but can also have fun and laugh in between. I can’t wait to show the school the behind the scenes from this year’s show!
Legally Blonde The Musical hits the stage at Southwell School Performing Arts Centre July 1-5.
Snap up your tickets here.
