Our Straight Mates: Lachlan Woods
Photographer-turned-actor Lachlan Woods talks to Matthew Myers about playing Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Melbourne, his gay roles on stage and screen, and his Stoic philosophy.
Photographer Lachlan Woods has swapped his camera for a wand, joining the Hogwarts magic in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child on stage.
DNA: How does one prepare to play a character as famous as Draco Malfoy?
Lachlan Woods: It’s a pretty big mantle to carry because it’s such an iconic role. Tom Felton was incredible in the films, which stick in everyone’s memory and it’s a performance that resonates in pop culture. But, through the passing of time, there’s some liberty because we’re playing the adult versions, so there’s a bit more permission around how Draco is and how he comes into being. A significant part of this show is the incredible design of costumes and make-up. My imagination is kickstarted by the wig I wear.
DNA: You played Freddie Mercury in the Molly miniseries; it was the perfect screen test for Bohemian Rhapsody. Did you audition?
I’m not sure Molly had the global reach I’d have liked. Sacha Baron Cohen was originally tied to Bohemian Rhapsody and there was a fair bit of jostling around who would get it. [Cohen withdrew from the film because he felt Queen wanted to tone down too much of Mercury’s hedonistic lifestyle.] I would very much have liked to have done it. I mean, I grow a fantastic moustache! For a film of that scale and significance, I didn’t quite have the celebrity cache!
DNA: Have you played many other gay roles?
Yes! I played Duke Orsino in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Twelfth Night, which is a man in love with a guy who’s actually a girl dressed up as a guy. It was a bit of a Liberace-meets-Adam Ant character and a lot of fun. Then there was Leonard in North By Northwest, famously played by Martin Landau in the Hitchcock film. It’s not explicit within the play but he is gay with allusions toward it. It was something that couldn’t be in the mainstream American film, so it was very nuanced. I also played the gay character, Francois, in Polygraph and Chris on TV’s Winners And Losers.
DNA: Growing up, did you ever witness homophobia, such as in school?
I was very fortunate in that I went to St Michael’s Grammar, a very open, Anglian co-ed school. It had a lot of opportunities in the performing arts, and a culturally informed openness. I was doing school plays with out gay guys, and it was never a thing. During the ’90s and 2000s, the school made a push to be the champion of creative and performing arts. There was a very non-judgemental culture around things like sexuality, and the parents drawn to that school were more progressive. That all informed the place but, having said that, I also don’t know who didn’t come out. So, I’d be hesitant to misrepresent those people as there could have been some who were closeted. By virtue of being in the performing arts for so long, all that has never been much of a deal in my world.
DNA: That really is a progressive high school.
Yes. During Year Ten, when I was around 15, we went on a school excursion to the Adelaide International Arts Festival, and they booked a heap of shows. They booked us into a drag show, and this was 1999. I remember sitting there with teachers and other students watching an international drag act, which was amazing at the time. I previously had no insight into that sort of thing.
DNA: Who’s your music diva?
It’s a girl band called HAIM! They are an American rock band with three sisters and they’re awesome. I listen to their music all the time. They have a song called The Wire, which is great!
DNA: Do you have a grooming tip?
I usually keep a little bit of a beard but these days, playing Draco Malfoy, I have to be clean-shaven every day, but I use an amazing shaving cream called Dirty by Lush cosmetics. It works great with an old school safety razor. I also have a fantastic hairdresser in Melbourne named Simon Setter, who was previously Bryan Adam’s hairstylist. He cuts my hair at my house, so my tip is to get your hair cut at home!
DNA: Can we talk about wardrobe malfunctions?
I have to wear a harness in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child and, needless to say, how you position the harness is critical! Any error mid-scene would be as terrible a wardrobe malfunction as you could get!
DNA: Are we talking about slipping-on-a-bicycle-seat terrible?
Yeah, something akin to that!
DNA: Is there a quote you live by?
I’m interested in the writings of the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius who was also a stoic philosopher. There isn’t one particular quote I live by but his book of Meditations is full of grounding and insightful thoughts. For instance, “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength.” And another standout is that “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” That’s a cracker! Achieving that is really a lifetime of practice.
DNA: Who has been your biggest inspiration in the acting profession?
Ewen Leslie. I was lucky enough to share the stage with him in my first professional gig, which was in Richard III for the MTC. He is extraordinarily inspiring.
DNA: Boardshorts or speedos?
I was a competitive swimmer until 21 so I’m squarely a speedos man, but I also own many pairs of trunks. Recently I’ve been wearing speedos at the beach.
DNA: Briefs, boxers or commando?
Fitted boxers. They’re the most comfortable and they don’t strangle you, as such!
DNA: Is being a part of the Harry Potter cast a pinch-yourself moment?
Yes! To be in a non-musical production of this scale with such a long run is absolutely a pinch-me moment, especially as the material is so rich. The scale of the production is phenomenal. I have pinch-myself moments standing in the wings each night watching the magic and illusions take place.
DNA: You’re also a photographer. What’s your speciality?
Portraiture. I’m interested in that for that same reason I’m interested in acting; I like people and collaboration and hearing other people’s stories. One of the great opportunities I get is to photograph productions backstage. It’s a pretty secret world and so interesting to come in with a camera and witness people in that creative process. It can also be a pressure cooker situation, such as with tech rehearsals. It’s always a special experience.
MORE: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is currently playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne. For more: au.harrypottertheplay.com. Follow Lachlan on Instagram @lachwoods
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Photography: Channel 4; Michelle Grace Hunder.
