What would you do if you had all eternity? Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence, but when she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family, she gets more than she could have imagined. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tuck’s unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life. As her adventure unfolds, Winnie faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life, or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey. Rosie speaks with actor Aidan Kane about his role in this popular children's story, why we should be buying tickets, and how the magic of Tuck Everlasting will touch the hearts of children and adults alike. Read the full interview below:
Aidan Kane
Tuck Everlasting is a classic, beloved story based on a children’s book written by Natalie Babbitt. For those unfamiliar with the story, what can audiences expect from this production, and how does your character fit into the show? They can expect a great tear duct work-out! Tissues will not be provided so come prepared! Without wanting to spoil too much, this story really interrogates our relationship with mortality and the sacrifices we make in the name of family, either born or found. Heavy ideas, but beautifully explored with visually stunning movement and heartbreakingly beautiful music. Angus Tuck is in a funk, unmotivated and uninspired by the endless life he has ahead of him. He learns a lot about how his languor is affecting the people around him from young, bright-eyed Winnie Foster. His driving motivation is protecting her from a similar fate; “you don’t have to live forever, you just have to live”. All the behind the scenes publicity material that I’ve seen has made your rehearsals look like so much fun, and the cast and crew appear to be bonding really well. What has been your favourite aspect of the rehearsal process? No question. Matt Hourigan’s choreography is nothing short of breathtaking, and seeing our gorgeous dance ensemble execute it has been an honour. Honestly some of the best, most artful movement I’ve ever seen. Working with professional-level talents like Phoebe Clark, Jared Pallesen and the incomparable Tahlia Allen has also been a huge privilege, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity to learn from them! As a story that was original meant for a young audience, how has the musical been translated to a more diverse crowd? Is this a show for all ages? Like all great works pitched at a young audience, the themes this show explores are complicated and emotionally challenging. Even grown-ups can appreciate and learn from the grounded story of Winnke and her adventures with the Tucks. And hey, if the story still doesn’t tickle you there’s beautiful music and striking, colourful stagecraft that should still leave you smiling and/or blubbering. Many people love the original book, and the Disney film. How similar is this musical to those other mediums and what new aspects can the audience expect to see in the show? The book is very much a product of its time, and the film and musical adjust the story in different ways to maintain its relevance. While the film had a slightly older Winnie, the musical has changed a few plot elements to keep it a bit more light-hearted. My favourite thing about the medium of musical theatre is that song can be such a layered, multi-dimensional insight into a character’s views and motivations. As an audience, we’re much more ready to suspend our disbelief to allow the characters to soliloquise through music rather than dialogue. That takes moments from the story from pretty and touching to achingly beautiful. Why should our readers come and see Tuck Everlasting? If you like touching stories, put together skilfully and performed honestly then you’ll love Tuck Everlasting. Come and support these phenomenal young performers, if not for their exciting talents, then at least so you can say you saw them before they were famous! RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS: Favourite production you have ever seen? A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Eamon Flack at B Sharp in 2009/2010. Cross-dressing Hermia, Titania belting Whitney Houston and a Pyramus and Thisbe that almost made me vomit from laughing. You’re getting on a plane tomorrow and you can go anywhere in the world, where do you go? Petra in Jordan to help out my sister on her archaeological digs Dream show/role to perform? Managed to tick off most of my bucket list, biggest one left is Albin in La Cage Aux Folles Plays or musicals? Plays with music! Hit me up Eamon Flack. What’s next for you after this show? I’m going to say I’ll take a break from shows, then absolutely not take a break from shows and continue putting off finishing my PhD. Tuck Everlasting opens at the Seymour Centre on March 13 2019 for a strictly limited run. You can get your tickets here.