The man behind the mask, Councillor Brian Simpson, took some time out of his busy day to chat with The Area News about his career as a thespian.
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Many were pleasantly surprised to learn that this lovable Councillor is also an actor.
Cr Simpson began his life in drama in 1989 with the Orange Theatre Company.
“I had just returned home to work on the family farm and my parents thought I should get out of the house more,” Cr Simpson said.
His mother encouraged him to audition for a role in Evita.
“It was a singing role.”
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But, his first role at the Griffith Regional Theatre was in Oliver, and more recently performed in Wicked and Beauty and the Beast.
“I also enjoy straight drama, but it’s a lot more challenging,” he said.
Cr Simpson said he was inspired by performances of Jesus Christ Superstar, which he hopes to one day perform in.
“I would like to see Jesus Christ Superstar given a run, because I think we have some very good vocal talent in the town.
“Just to be in the cast would be spectacular.”
Cr Simpson is looking to see more of the Griffith Regional Association of Performing Arts (GRAPA), who currently perform Shakespeare in parks and various venues.
“We need to get GRAPA to come back and do some musicals,” Cr Simpson said.
“There’s moves to get them into the theatre.”
When asked whether a life in the theatre has prepared him for the drama of Council, Cr Simpson laughed.
“It’s probably helped me in speaking,” he said.
“In theatre, when it’s not improvisation, you’ve got a script – in council you have a script which is the agenda that you follow, but you have to come up with ideas.
“It’s given me exposure to the community, through the theatre.”
Cr Simpson said he should have pursued a career in acting years ago, noting that plays and musicals require a lot of time and that it can be difficult dedicating oneself to the theatre when there are other life commitments.
“It’s nice to pretend to be someone else for a while,” he said.
The Area News desired so desperately to hear Cr Simpson’s stunning voice, alas, he wasn’t prepared to share his talented voice on video for the interview, stating that “Brian Simpson would never do that, only his characters would.”
