By CHERIE DONNELLAN
ACTOR Samuel Johnson wanted to use colourful language to describe the plot of his new play, The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell, but respectfully settled at “mind bender”.
He shied away from revealing the plot but divulged it was a play “where nothing is as it seems”.
Playing Craig Castevich, a “young actor from Bondi” who “thinks he’s all that”, was a role Johnson jumped at.
“It’s one of those roles that as an actor, you don’t come across often,” he said.
“It’s an actor’s dream.”
Johnson’s character gets “put through [his] paces” as he attempts to learn about the inner workings of a reclusive poet, Daniel Gartrell.
Gartrell, portrayed by Max Gillies, plays “unhinged mind games” with his character.
Johnson joked that Castevich was “a much wankier version of myself”.
But he appreciated being able to draw from personal experiences as a once naïve young actor.
“When I first started [acting], I got brought back to earth and that happens to the character.”
Johnson noted both he and his character were “obsessed with finding the truth”, but he enthused that was where the similarities ended.
“[Castevich’s] a latte-sipping, Bondi actor – I tend to avoid those types of actors,” he laughed.
The acting prowess of Max Gillies and Michala Banas (who plays Gartrell’s daughter) made Johnson question his own abilities.
“They’re so good at what they do, they make me question about why I even bother,” he said.
“It’s an absolute privilege working alongside them.”
Johnson had an off-stage skill, however, that Gillies and Banas had yet to master – unicycling.
Despite a heavy touring schedule, Johnson remained dedicated to his pledge to unicycle around Australia to raise money for breast cancer charity, Love Your Sister.
While in Geelong for the 5-7 September shows at Playhouse Theatre, he will unicycle around Geelong, Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.
“I can’t wait for [Geelong]. It’s going to be an awesome visit,” Johnson said.
Samuel Johnson will appear in The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell 5-7 September at GPAC’s Playhouse Theatre. Tickets range from $20-55*, phone 5225 1200 or visit gpac.org.au.
*The price of $20-25 as adveristed in the print edition is incorrect. The ticket prices range from $25-55.
