Stage role: Peter Phelps.
ERIN PEARSON
THEATRE would be a far cry from many memories of Australian television star Peter Phelps.
The hero of series including Stingers, All Saints and Underbelly has taken time out of his busy on-screen life to take on a lead role as Ron in social satire Let The Sunshine.
Phelps said he couldn’t be happier treading the boards rather than appearing on the silver screen.
“I’ve been doing so much film and television for so long,” he told the Independent.
“I like doing a theatre role to mix things up. It’s a lot more homework, though, a lot more lines to learn and you can’t make a mistake.
“It’s a completely different way of working but very rewarding.”
Promoters described playwright David Williamson’s award-winning production as part Romeo and Juliet and part Meet The Parents.
“The play revolves around the lives of two couples who’ve moved to Noosa to escape the daily grind of Sydney.
“Toby and Ros, a documentary maker and publisher can’t stand their crass millionaire neighbours Ron and Natasha.
“When their respective children become romantically involved, all sorts of dramas begin to unfold in this tale of snobbery, indignation and pride.”
Phelps said Williamson understood the Australian character intimately.
“He’s cast me as a character that couldn’t be more different to what I’m all about,” he laughed.
“Ron’s a really right-wing conservative kind of white-shoed property developer.
“It’s proving a really good challenge.”
Phelps said the small screen still remained part of his career plans, with a new television series already in the pipeline.
Drysdale’s Potato Shed will perform in Let the Sunshine on Tuesday and Wednesday.
