He’s played gay, a sporting icon, been a Neighbour, and partied with Take That (sort of). Now Ben Hall takes to the stage with Elvis!
DNA: You’ve played gay roles a couple of times: Falsettos and Only Heaven Knows. Have these roles given you an insight into the LGBTQIA+ world?
Ben Hall: Definitely. Particularly Only Heaven Knows where I made great friends. I think I was the only straight cast member.
At Only Heaven Knows you stood at the door collecting money to help support victims of the anti-gay purge in Chechnya. In our books, that’s a true Straight Mate.
Thank you. That was an important cause at the time and still is. We wanted to do as much as we could. It was a small way to help but worthwhile to contribute. That’s what’s great about the arts and theatre world; we can do just that.
The last time we interviewed you, you said you’d turn gay for Justin Trudeau.
Justin was an easy one! I’m currently working with Rob Mallett so I’ll say him. He’s pretty damn incredible as Elvis. Maybe it’s that tight leather onesie? [Laughs] You’ll have to come to the show to see what I mean.
Well, Justin Trudeau went viral in 2017 because of his butt.
Now that would be great publicity for Rob!
Tell us about your character in Elvis: A Musical Revolution.
I play Sam Phillips, a lesser-known character from the Elvis Presley story but he discovered Elvis. He was the owner and founder of Sun Records, the Memphis recording studio. Apparently, Elvis stumbled in one day to record a song for his mother’s birthday. Sam was trying to come up with a different sound. He had been recording black artists but, given the state of affairs with prejudice, he wasn’t getting very far. He wanted to find someone with a feel for rhythm-and-blues with a country sound. He became known as the grandfather of rock ‘n’ roll. He also discovered Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Howlin’ Wolf!
How did you prepare for the role?
I started with his biography, written by his friend Peter Guralnick. There are also a lot of photos and recordings. I started from a vocal perspective once I had some background on where he was from. He had a very particular accent and sound similar to Elvis. He was a workaholic and became dead broke with anxiety to match. He even took himself off to get electroshock therapy.
I also play Frank Sinatra. As Frank, I duet with Elvis when he appeared on Sinatra’s television show in 1960 following his national service. Playing both characters is interesting. Sam had an imposing, tense energy with a deep Southern feel whereas Frank has a more transatlantic New York accent. I make sure they’re distinctive.
Are you an Elvis fan?
Growing up, my impression of Elvis was of his later years and the decline. The overweight, drug-affected Elvis was what kids talked about in the playground. It wasn’t until the recent film and doing this production that I gained a greater appreciation for just how incredible and unique he was, particularly throughout the late ’50s early ’60s. He was so damn cool! Our musical focuses on that part of his life. It’s his rise to fame rather than the decline, which is a joyous thing.
You recently played cricketer Mark Waugh in the Shane Warne miniseries, Warnie. What was that like?
Great, and a real honour to play an Australian sporting icon. Plus, I got to work with friends and crew who had come off Neighbours.
You played Ned Willis on Neighbours and appeared in the final episode. What are your thoughts on the show ending?
I enjoyed being part of the final episode. I was meant to be part of a larger story but I was working on the Robbie Williams biopic, Better Man at the time so I only popped in to Ramsay Street for a day. It was bittersweet. They did a great job ticking all the boxes for the fans. Over the years Neighbours has employed so many people and brought joy into millions. It’s great to see it’s coming back!
Tell us about Better Man.
I auditioned for Robbie but was outgunned by the incredible Jonno Davies from the UK. Fortunately, they asked me back to help read with the audition process and that led to understudying Jonno and shooting all the second unit motion-capture footage, which included a lot of the special shots and sex scenes. It turned into a bigger role than I expected, and I loved being involved in the making of the film.
Who is your music diva?
When I was young it was Christina Aguilera and then it became Beyonce. My favourite Beyonce song is Love On Top.
What song always gets you on the dancefloor?
I’m a sucker for Gold Digger by Kanye West. I like a bit of R&B. It’s got to have a lyric too as I like to sing along.
Have you been out clubbing with your gay mates?
My time on Neighbours was a real party period – we’d usually hit the Sircuit Bar in Fitzroy and it’s still my go-to for a night out. While working on Better Man the boys who played Take That and I went to a gay club and they just happened to be playing a remix of Relight My Fire. Those clubs are always wild and I’m trying to reign it in a bit these days.
Who’s your current inspiration within the theatrical world?
I did some work the other day with Deborah Mailman on the third season of Total Control. I’m just amazed by her work. What she does is incredible, including what she does for her community. It was such a pleasure to work and chat with her on set.
Do you have a favourite quote?
Yes, from Year 12 drama class: “There are no small roles, only small actors.”
What’s been your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?
I once did Xanadu with Matt Verevis and, funnily enough, Rob Mallett. We were doing a corporate promotional gig in roller skates and something happened where Matt took a dive, grabbed onto Rob’s pants, and pulled them down flashing the entire audience.
Do you have a grooming tip?
I have a lovely old-school razor complete with a timber handle and some particularly good electric razors. In theatre, I’m always tweaking between being clean-shaven to having a beard or moustache. It’s worth having good gear handy.
Briefs, boxers or freeballing?
Fitted boxers. There’s nothing more comfortable.
MORE: Elvis: A Musical Revolution is playing at Sydney’s State Theatre. Go to: elvisamusicalrevolution.com.au
Follow Ben on Instagram @benhall23
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