Who is Jake Lyle?
There is only one word in the English dictionary that everyone from all aspects of my life from schooling to singing has described me as. Loud! From primary school teachers trying to get me to focus on learning the alphabet to Classical Voice teachers describing how I have to sing over an orchestra unamplified, the word “loud” has been the constant theme of my life.
As a child, all I wanted to do was perform. From a very young age my brother and I watched WWE on the television, and even had the game WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 on the Wii which we played religiously. Now, Lachie was right into the fighting, the hard hits and the Batista Bombs. I, Jake, was right into the costumes, entrances, pyrotechnics and the theatrics of it all. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who went on to do what.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I went through a phase when I was the age of 11 to 13 where I decided I wanted to be the next goalkeeper for the Socceroos. I realised sooner rather than later that I certainly wasn’t cut out for the top leagues of international football, I certainly loved it. I still keep up with the Premier League (up the mighty Gunners), and love exercising.
If I would realistically do anything else, it would likely be school teaching. I had so many incredible mentors in Gladstone who I attribute where I am now to. At Gladstone State High School, there is an incredible group of teachers – Miss Waddell, Mrs Pitt, Miss Whitby, Mr and Mrs McMaster, Mrs Shannon – who lead the way to provide a stage for students passionate about performance and the arts.
They voluntarily put on shows and events after-hours and are truly passionate about the students’ opportunities to hone their craft and be themselves on stage. I admit, I actually just shed a little tear writing that! There are so many like them in our country paving the way for future stage performers, musicians and artists and their hard work and sacrifice should be widely recognised.
Who inspires you and why?
I think I have already answered that to an extent in my last answer. The whole musical community in Gladstone is what has inspired me since watching The King and I at the Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre in 2013.
I’ll never forget sitting in a rehearsal when I was 15 and playing Sailor #3 in the community production of Anything Goes and watching Simeon Kelly as Billy Crocker sing a top G in the duet It’s De-Lovely and just sitting there in amazement at how he did it with his voice. I asked my singing teacher how he achieved such an incredible sound; she said two words which I will never forget “Hard work.” From then on, I worked my butt off to try and improve my singing everyday.
I would also say that my other big inspiration is my family and my beautiful partner, Meggie. Without them, and specifically my parents putting up with me singing Phantom in my room at 11pm on a school night, I would not be where I am now. I love them more than anything.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I am passionate about students in regional areas getting access to high-level access and exposure to training for performance on the stage. I was incredibly lucky to have the Combined Schools Musical in Gladstone which gives kids an invaluable opportunity.
Cindi Bush, who was a long-serving councillor on the Gladstone Regional Council and who’s son, George, had played Gustave in the original Australian production of Love Never Dies put it perfectly when she said “I like to think of these productions, not as amateur, but pre-professional. The kids are being taught valuable lessons in stage craft and etiquette, discipline, teamwork, and respect for each other.”
If every child in regional areas had access to such high-level exposure to the art form, then serious progress can be made. I want to use my newfound platform to bridge this gap.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I was recently on a European adventure, and have fallen in love with London! Everywhere you look is full of life. The city has immense history and such a thriving theatre scene in its West End. I was fortunate enough to watch The Phantom of the Opera at the stunning His Majesty’s Theatre, and got to meet the first cover Phantom, James Gant, backstage.
Getting to be in the same dressing room that Michael Crawford originally had gave me goosebumps. I pictured him putting on the mask for the very first showing of The Phantom of the Opera in that same dressing room, possibly not even fathoming just how mega this show would be and its incredible impact on musical theatre. 40 years of different Phantoms have haunted that very dressing room, and I was so honoured to be there.
I really believe that 40 years of a show running 8 shows a week deserves the most grand celebration possible, and what better way to serve the history of this show then doing it on a massive scale on the Sydney Harbour? We’re talking Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in direct view, a stage that is 2 and a half times the size of a typical stage, cranes, fireworks, a huge staircase, a massive chandelier, all led by the top creatives in the world with a stacked cast. I don’t know about you, but that may be the best 40th birthday I’ll ever go to!
When friends come into town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
When friends come to Brisbane, I usually take them to Southbank and then the various restaurants that I’ve discovered whilst studying at the Queensland Conservatorium. I almost always take people to Ahmet’s, the best Turkish restaurant in the country as far as I’m concerned. On a Monday and Tuesday they do deals for all of their pide, and the traditional tea is to die for. I’m not sponsored in any way by Ahmet’s, but if you’re in Brisbane do yourself a favour!
If I can take anyone to the Twelfth Night Theatre for any local production, I will. This is almost a second home for many local Brisbane performers and has such charm and character. Also, it’s easy for us now as our roommate, Sam, runs a musical theatre school for school-aged students called BG Performing Arts just across the road, providing us free parking. It’s like having VIP access!
What are you currently reading?
Whilst I would normally be reading a Ben Elton book or a Stephen King novel in this sparse free time that I have, I have just finished Gaston Leroux’s original The Phantom of the Opera only yesterday. The story’s key themes of love, loss and lust shine through the words, and you can see not only how timeless the story is, but how Andrew Lloyd Webber read the book and decided that it would be a hit mega musical.
The next book I will be reading is actually a recommendation from the Phantom on the international tour, Samuel Wyn-Morris. It is called Phantom: The Novel of His Life by Susan Kay. It is a biography of the title character, Erik (Yes, that is the Phantom’s actual name!), and I can’t wait to give it a read and see what I may be able to take away from Susan Kay’s interpretation for my own interpretation of Erik.
What are you currently listening to?
Well, my current “on-repeat” album is Rubber Soul by The Beatles. Mum loved The Beatles and I think most of my taste in music comes from her. If I am being honest though, I have been listening to The Phantom of the Opera since I found out that this would be the next Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.
I love listening to all the possible interpretations I can, seeing and listening to all of the different versions of the Phantom. I admire all of these people who have played this role before me, and I am so honoured and so greatly lucky to be following in their footsteps.
Happiness is?
Wow! That’s a huge question. I will try my best to share what I think happiness is. For me, happiness is knowing deep in your gut that you are doing what you’ve been destined to do. This can mean so many different things for so many different people, but when you do something or are with someone and you know in your soul that you belong there, that is true happiness. For me, I have known in my gut from a very early age that I could do nothing else except perform.
What does the future hold for you?
For me, it’s as simple as wanting to continue telling stories. Whether that be through a requiem, opera, musical or even film, I just really want to fill my future with sharing stories and honing my craft.
I have been dreaming about playing the Phantom since I started singing; it’s a really special show to me, so to think post Phantom is very difficult. I remember my Mum bringing me two musical DVD’s when I was 14 and just started singing, one was the Les Misérables movie and the other The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary at The Royal Albert Hall.
As soon as I watched Phantom, I was hooked. Now, to be playing the role is absolutely surreal. It’s so full-circle and I still have to pinch myself. Also, to do it with Opera Australia, in its 40th year, on the Sydney Harbour, with the likes of Amy Manford and Jarrod Draper, a super talented cast, a creative team that are not only the best of the best, but Phantom veterans, is just something I couldn’t have ever dreamed of happening. I am the luckiest boy in the world.
Jake stars as The Phantom in Opera Australia’s production of The Phantom of the Opera – which will be presented as part of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour at Mrs Macquaries Point (Sydney) from 27 March – 3 May 2026. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: Jake Lyle – photo by Daniel Boud