Who is Wes Snelling?
I’m an actor/actress/arts-enthusiast/comedian/director/facilitator/producer/singer/writer (in alphabetical order). I‘m a plant lover. I like looking at them. And then I get a little bit of guilt when they start to go brown. So I water them. This isn’t a metaphor, it’s just what goes on when I get home to my little apartment/flat/studio (in alphabetical order) which looks much like a 70’s motel room that has two palm trees, a telly, a pile of books and a kitchenette, which houses a toaster and some colourful crockery. And loads of hooks with things like Homburg hats and tongs hanging off them. I like things to be in 3D and oddly shaped…You did ask.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Not a great deal. Am quite happy with the varied life I lead. If it were possible I would live in Palm Island and catch an 8 seater plane every day to the mainland to my various jobs. But unfortunately I wouldn’t make it in time.
Who inspires you and why?
Betty White. Cyndi Lauper. Joan Rivers. Idina Menzel. Julia Louis-Dreyfus. My mum. Ruth Cracknell. Sean Penn. Tony Sheldon (in alphabetical order). Basically anyone who is persistent, yet has patience, and takes the time to breathe occasionally.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Prepare everyone a spinach, pumpkin and feta salad. And then we would all go see a musical. Probably Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Vietnam. Because I haven’t been there yet.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Hot Potatoes on Sydney Road, Brunswick. It’s a carnival of bargains. I could spend days there. Other than that it would all be about the Great Ocean Rd. If I had it my way we would stay in every caravan park along the coast.
What are you currently reading?
The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer (A Twin Peaks Book). I was just given the book and it is probably the second best thing that has ever happened to me. The first was watching the full Twin Peaks series over one weekend when I was 26.
What are you currently listening to?
I have Rebecca Barnard’s Fortified and Papa Chango’s The Metador on high rotation.
Happiness is?
Adventure. Caravan Parks. Spinach. Twin Peaks. Bargains. Palm Island. And Xanadu starring Olivia Newton-John.
What does the future hold for you?
Loads of great adventures! Performing Standard Double with my comedy buddy Kate McLennan – a piece we are about to perform in an actual hotel suite at The Cumberland, Lorne. I adore doing this show. Performing at various cabaret haunts and festivals as my Aunt Tina Del Twist. Writing more, singing more, playing more. But further down the track, I will be living in Palm Island and commuting to work via Skype.
Melbourne’s own award winning Wes Snelling has a “beautiful voice, and a wicked sense of comic timing” – The Age. He has been working within the arts industry for over a decade as an actor, singer, writer, comedian, director, radio presenter, production/stage/tour manager and facilitator.
Wes is a celebrated Australian artiste whose work has seen him tour throughout Australia, Europe, the UK and most recently New York. His credits include: Gingerbread Man The Musical; Extravaganza, Beyond Burlesque, TRASH; In Record Time, Tina Del Twist; La Soiree; Outland; The Inheritance (Sammy J & Randy); and Em Rusciano The Musical!
Wes will be performing in Standard Double with Kate McLennan at the Lorne Festival of Performing Arts. For more information, visit: www.lovelornefestival.com for details.
Image: Wes Snelling