You’re never too old. Get out there and do it! – Janene McIntyre
As the successful sold-out season of Mamma Mia comes to an end I decided to catch up with two fabulous, fierce and funny Dancing Queens before their final bow.
Not all performers work full time in the entertainment industry, and some don’t even desire the typical “Hollywood” dream and are happily fulfilling their creativity as a hobby. The theatre can attract a diverse range of thespians including nurses, teachers, and berry farmers!
But, don’t be fooled, as that doesn’t mean the quality of performances are any less than a show like Westend – as that’s exactly what these two dancing queens and their talented cast and crew have pulled off! This also reflects in the audience’s comments where some are comparing the show Mamma Mia to big productions overseas, with some audience members coming back to see the show a second time.
These two performers are a great example that when there’s a will there’s a way, and you can start performing at any age. (And without a degree in performing arts!).
Meet Dancing Queens…
Janene McIntyre and Monica Julian!
Interview with Janene McIntyre and Monica Julian:
Emmy: Ladies congratulations to you both and the cast and crew on a successful run of Mamma Mia. It truly was an incredible show. 🙂
Monica, you play Tayna the rich and sassy divorcee who loves the boys!… And Janene you play Rosie the fun-loving comical character, that well… loves the boys! How close were these characters to your own?
Janene: I had fun with the character, I do joke around so that part was easy. Putting yourself out there in terms of flirting and stuff..that’s’ not me! That was different and difficult. I’ve never had a partner on stage! It was such a big thing for me to overcome. There’s a joke in the show about me riding a guy like a horse, and every single time I go on stage I’m like OMG!
Monica: I’m not like that at all I don’t really flirt, and socialize like my character (even though I like a laugh). But yeah my character is definitely not like me.
Emmy: What was the preparation like to get into your characters, and to get to the level where you can do that “kinky” stuff the “real” you wouldn’t do?
Monica: Well, the actor Nate who I flirt with, I was worried that he would think I was serious, so once I had a good talk with him, and just put it out there that I was going to go hard out, I felt better! lol…then I felt free to really explore my characters sexual side I guess.
Janene: For me, it was Monica,
Monica: Oh, really!
Janene: Well yeah!… But also because I have a sexy scene with Monica’s real-life husband Paul and It was so neat having her there to…
Monica: …Say go for it Jeanene…ride the pony!
Emmy: You both look like you have been doing this for a long time, but I know that isn’t quite the case for you Monica?
Monica: I started off with a show called Seussical two years ago. The director said, ” If any parents want their children to be in the show they have to audition”. All my three kids wanted to be in the show so I said “oh well If I audition you guys will all get in so I’ll audition too! lol, they were horrified I was going to audition for a show.
Emmy: That’ brilliant, so that’s how it started for you, Monica?
Monica: Yeah, well my kids have all been on stage since they were little. I remember standing backstage in one of their shows thinking I’d love to do that, but never thought I would have the courage to do it. Then I did Seussical which was a soft entrance into the theatre for me. Then last year I also danced in the Bay Of Plenty dancing with the stars which was a huge challenge for me!
Emmy: How long did you have to train for that?
Monica: 4 months.
Emmy: 4 months!?
Monica: Haha, yes for a two and a half minute dance. So I had the same amount of training and rehearsal as I did for Mamma Mia! But we wanted the dance to be pretty perfect.
Janene: My first show was when I was about 19 in Taupo. I got cast as one of the pink ladies in Greece which was pretty cool, and it felt like a family – very similar to Mamma Mia! So I did about 7 shows in Taupo before I went overseas and did the big OE while I worked as a nanny. Then I came home and met my partner Dylan who was over in Whakatane. My first show with Theatre Whakatane was Cinderella around 10 years ago, so it’s definitely in my blood and it’s an amazing hobby!
Monica Julian in the Bay Of Plenty DWTS.
Emmy: So, Janene you work at the hospital and Monica you and your partner Paul who is also in the show own the popular Julian Berry farm. What has it been like juggling your daily roles then performing during the night?
Paul and Monica Julian
Monica: I’ve been really lucky because it’s the off-season now and we have been closed since February, so instead of going away with the family we made the show our full-time job including our son Cambell who is in it. Paul and I practice during the day and every spare minute we get we’ve been practicing.
Janene: I have a very supportive husband, and he’s been doing everything and the kids get stuck in as well, but yeah Dylan’s amazing. Plus he works full time.
Monica: Yeah, I don’t know how anyone could do this with a full-time job as well, but then again I was pretty anal with my practicing, and I put in a huge amount of hours. Maybe if I had done a few shows before I probably wouldn’t have needed to practice as much.
Emmy: Monica, you run a family business with your husband Paul. What was it like not only working with your family on the berry farm but also on stage as well?
Monica: We’ve always done lots of extra curriculum activities together so every February, March or April we will do a big event, whether it’s a run or a multi-sport event. So this was our activity together. We still have work to do on the farm though, like today I was out working on the kiwi fruit farm, but it’s not 10-12 hours a day like we can do over summer.
Emmy: Have you both been trained professionally, or did you just go for it!?
Monica: I’ve never had any training. I had a few lessons with Eve who plays Sophie, and throughout the role, I had 3 singing teachers that would help me and of course Janene.
Janene: The training I have had is from all my shows.
Emmy: Nice, sometimes that’s the best training you can get! What has been the biggest challenge you both have faced during the production?
Janene: For me, having the energy to do everything, and making contact with a male on stage as that was really hard for me. But I have overcome it now!
Monica: For me, it was the singing, and singing in tune and not freaking out every time I had to sing a solo.
Emmy: What is one of your most favorite performers?
Monica: I like Hugh Jackman, I think he’s amazing.
Janene: Hmm, I like Michael McIntyre. (He’s a comedian).
Emmy: If your life was turned into a musical, what would it be called?
Monica: Mamma Mia!
Janene: It’s not written yet…Hmm, I’d say it would be called “Welcome to the jungle”!
Emmy: Your characters provide some great comical relief, and not everyone can pull off comedy. Was this something you found a challenge? Or did it come naturally?
Janene McIntyre, Jessica Mordue, and Monica Julian. John Morin Photography @Wanderlust Pilgrim. Courtesy of Theatre Whakatane
Janene: I would actually love to do a stand-up comedy routine. It does come naturally to me and I think I’m very lucky in that respect.
Monica: For me, I’ve never been funny. I remember going through our lines the first few times and they were funny, but after a while, they just became normal, and they weren’t as funny anymore. But when we put it in front of an audience, it was a real moment. I play up to the audience, and I didn’t think of my character as being funny, but she’s gotten a lot of laughs. Dean our director always helped me come up with a funny way to deliver my lines.
Emmy: Both of your characters seem rather boy hungry…” hypothetically” if you were to go on a date, who would you rather date out of…
1.) Brad Pitt 2.) Hugh Jackman 3.) Micheal Buble or 4.) Chris Hemsworth?
Monica: Hugh Jackman!
Janene: Chris Hemsworth!
Monica: I’d choose Chris and Hugh!
Emmy: What musical would you rather watch three times in a row?…
1.) The Sound of Music 2.) Greece 3.) Mamma Mia 4.) Hair Spray
Monica: Mamma Mia. But if Pricilla Queen of the desert was on the list I’d choose that!
Janene: I just started watching Hair Spray today, to be honest. If I wasn’t in Mamma Mia it would be Greece, but Mamma Mia would have to be at the top.
Emmy: The shows sadly coming to an end ladies, and with that, I suspect there could be a “show come down”… what’s one thing you will miss about being apart of the show?
Janene: Being a family, I’ll miss seeing everyone. You’re in a dance and in that moment you’re looking that person in the eye having a wee laugh about perhaps making a wrong move, or saying a wrong word. It’s the little moments that you have on stage with the people that you have been performing with for so long. So, it’s the magic moments.
Monica: I’ll miss seeing everybody, the acting, the singing, and the audience.
Emmy: Any stand out moments in the show you want to mention?
Janene: Where do I start! Jessica Mordue …the two songs she sings, “Slipping through my fingers” and “Winner takes it all”. I have goosebumps the whole time and I’m trying to hold back tears. She’s a wonder, she’s crazy good. I can’t explain it. And Eve, Alice and Alex in the first scene of the show set a high standard with their tone and energy and that carries all the way through!
Monica: Yes, Jess brings emotion into it every time. It’s so beautiful, everyone in the show gives it their all, and I think it shows, and perhaps that’s why the audience loves it so much.
Monica and Janene Backstage at Whakatane Theatre
Emmy: What’s one piece of advice that you could give to someone that’s perhaps starting to think about performing a little later in life?
Janene: You’re never too old. Get out there and do it! If it’s something that interests you, start small and get in there. Performing is an amazing feeling and it’s an achievement. Don’t get hung up on what you look like, cause you will always get better.
Monica: And that’s what you taught me Janene, whenever I was hung up on the wrong note, or dance move, and you’re just like don’t worry about it! You and Jess would just be like “Monica get over it!” If it’s not perfect it’s still fine…
…So I would encourage people to have a go with something they’re not sure of. Paul and I love challenging ourselves and this has been one of the biggest challenges of our life and the best time. Paul and I can be known for our work at the berry farm and our sport. But this isn’t a sport, but it’s even more of a buzz! So, if anyone has the slightest inkling at the back of their mind, as I did – just go and do it and trust the process!
Congratulations to Whakatane Theatre and the cast and crew for putting on a great show. If you’re in the Bay Of Plenty area in New Zealand and you want to keep up to date with the upcoming shows, make sure you check out the Theatre Whakatane Facebook page or subscribe to their newsletter.
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Emmy is the founder and content writer at woopdedo. With a background in the performing arts, she then had a career working on cruise ships, until she decided to return to NZ where she spends most of her time storytelling and freelance writing. You can contact her on the social media links below or visit the work with us page.
