Transitioning from an amateur to professional was something Tasmanian-born Colin Dean never thought would be possible.
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Dean, who has never had any formal acting, dancing or singing training, is currently performing with the London Palladium tour of the Sound of Music. He modestly attributes his success to luck, catching his big break when he was cast in Billy Elliot.
“One particular show I was doing, the director just happened to be in Sydney talking with friends and they were talking about how Billy Elliot was being cast,” Dean said.
“They were looking for people my age who could sing, act and dance and look like they could be a coal miner.”
Never enduring a professional audition, Dean saw the opportunity as a fantastic experience.
“I went along purely for the experience of doing a professional audition, never ever expecting to get into the show, but I did,” Dean said.
I went along purely for the experience of doing a professional audition.
- Colin Dean
Billy Elliot, including rehearsals, ran for three years.
It changed Dean’s outlook, as he yearned to continue working as a professional performer.
“I realised I couldn’t go back to 9-5,” Dean said.
Many years and countless shows later, Dean has returned to the stage for his role in SOM.
This is his second stint with the SOM. Dean played Captain Von Trapp during a production of the Sound of Music at Hobart’s Theatre Royal in 2002.
“When the opportunity came up to be in the show obviously I jumped at it because I’ve had some great memories,” Dean said.
While Dean does not have a large role in the current tour of SOM, his ability to flick between characters has been utilised.
“My role in this show was a lot smaller but I am covering three other roles, so it is quite an involvement and it has just been fantastic,” Dean said.
Playing four characters in a show titled Settlement Secrets, splitting instantaneously through characters is a skill Dean has mastered.
“I sort of look at as being one role, my role includes all those characters and on most nights, I only get to play a bit of that role which is my normal ensemble,” Dean said.
“I’ve always enjoyed doing that sort of thing.”
After a string of sold-out shows in Sydney and Brisbane, the SOM is performing at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre until July 31.
The show will head to Adelaide in August, followed by Perth in September.
