Anthony Warlow reminisces days of family singalongs

For Anthony Warlow, growing up in a small country town is reminiscent of his latest role, in the upcoming production The Wizard of Oz.

From roles in Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and more recently Fiddler on the Roof and Annie, Anthony has been thrilling audiences with his versatility from the moment he arrived on the theatrical scene. Here the 55-year-old performer talks to Starts at 60 and explains how his childhood shaped his career.

“Growing up in Wollongong, it was a bit like Dorothy’s life really. When I was growing up it was a town, now it’s a huge city. In those days, of course, life was slower.  On Saturday afternoon the shops would be closed at midday. Sunday was family day.  We were able to ride bikes at night ‘til 7pm, go the corner shop and not worry about the problems of the world.”

The youngest of four children, Anthony said his parents were beautiful and doting.

“My mother had a beautiful voice. There would be many nights of family friends coming around having dinner, then going into the lounge room and having a singalong. It was an interactive society where it is now not so, and I lament that.”

Describing theatre as a vocation, the only thing he has done is his life, Anthony found his growing up years supported his career choice.

“I was fortunate that the life I was given was very supportive of that mettle in me. Being in a smaller town with beautiful beaches and the country half an hour up the hill, it was kind of a Utopia, it really was a Dorothy-esque kind of lifestyle, and my imagination was allowed to blossom.  I feel sometimes now that I am living in Oz, with munchkins around and strange things happening, which is why this show is relevant no matter when it is done.”

This latest role in Wizard of Oz, where he plays The Wizard and Professor Marvel, Anthony describes is like the movie on stage. The Wizard of Oz will hit the stage in Brisbane this November before moving to Sydney. Advance tickets are already on sale.

Lucy Durack has been cast as Glinda the Good Witch while Jemma Rix will play The Wicked Witch. Producers are currently on the search for a young star to play Dorothy. “Tim Rice has been given permission to write four extra songs. You will see everything from monotone to technicolour.”

Two things have had a huge impact on Anthony’s life over the years; the birth of his daughter Phoebe and a battle with cancer.

He battled non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, withdrawing from the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar, in 1992. “I went through that when I was 30. Some twenty-five years on I’m still kicking on. I thank the good Lord above every day that I have an extra day to live. ”

Anthony’s daughter Phoebe is now 22. “She is growing up into the most beautiful woman. When I’m asked what is the musical I love the most I say The Secret Garden. Not only because of the endearing qualities of children but because Phoebe was born that year. She was so much a part of every performance I gave. She was also the reason I did Phantom the second time, as she wasn’t born the first time, she hadn’t seen me in it. She’s been an integral part of everything I do. She said The Wizard of Oz was her favourite show of all time, so that will put the pressure on,” he laughed.

Read more: How to prevent Australia’s second biggest cancer killer.

Outside of his career Anthony still finds the time to enjoy a few quiet moments.

“I am a bit of a homebody. I do enjoy my personal time, I love to read and I’m an antique collector. I have always loved history and this is a palpable way of being in touch with history. I collect Georgian glass. Think about the conversations that went over this glass that is 400 years old. It is a palpable moment in history I can put in a cabinet. It has been touched with history.”

What is your favourite Anthony Warlow performance?