On the Couch with Gareth Keegan

Gareth Keegan oncWho is Gareth Keegan?
Playing Tony in West Side Story for The Production Company.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
Probably an ethical Animal Trainer. Rescuing them and then training them with positive reinforcement. Not just the usual pets either. I would love to own a farm for all types of rescued animals, except humans, even though we are animals too.

Who inspires you and why?
People who make the most of their situation. Whether it’s someone who is at the Paralympics or a billionaire who is also a philanthropist. When someone makes the most of their life, it makes me re?ect on my own life and see if I am making the most of mine.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Ban Religion. Don’t get me wrong, I love culture and cultural diversity, but the one thing that has caused more con?ict than any other subject needs to go to room 101.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Japan. I am a big kid, so I love Tokyo Disney. I love the fashion, food and technology in Tokyo. But then you can head down to Kyoto and totally Zen out. Oh and of course the snow!

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
Depends. If they love sports, de?nitely an AFL game at the MCG. One of the best places to watch sport in the world. If sports ain’t their thing, I would take them to all the amazing restaurants in Melbourne. Fancy one’s, small hole in the wall one’s. Melbourne has such a great food culture that has to be gluttonously consumed.

What are you currently reading?
Get a Financial Grip by Pete Wargent. A great introduction to investments. It’s based on the Australian Economy so it is more relevant than the majority of Financial Books which are American or English.

What are you currently listening to?
At this very moment in time, I am listening to random old country music on Spotify. Takes the anxiety of choosing from an overwhelming amount of music. In general I have been listening to 80’s ballads. Sometimes you just need some synth in your life.

Happiness is?
A very delicate balancing act.

What does the future hold for you?
Playing varied roles in va
ried shows with varied paycheques.

A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Gareth Keegan’s theatre credits include Mickey in Blood Brothers, Gaylord Ravenal in Showboat and Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance for The Production Company, Stormy in Moonshadow, and Gabe in Melbourne Theatre Company’s Next To Normal (Green Room Award Nomination).

Other theatre credits include Alternate Frankie Valli in the original cast of Jersey Boys, Gaybies for the Midsumma Festival 2013, Phantom in Gale Edward’s The Rocky Horror Show, Young Thing in Hello Again, Ste in A Beautiful Thing at the Stables Theatre, and Les Darcy in Nick Enright’s The Good Fight (New York Music Theatre Festival).

His Television credits include Kurt Cobain in Mr & Mrs Murder, Constable Archie Cooper in Underbelly and the roles of Squizzy and Rueben Hayes in The Dr Blake Mysteries.

Gareth will be playing Tony in The Production Company’s West Side Story at Arts Centre Melbourne: 11 – 19 July 2015. For more information, visit: www.theproductioncompany.com.au for details.

Image: Gareth Keegan