A DOCTOR and a pixie would like a moment to talk with you about Jesus Christ.
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Well, it’s more like a couple of hours, but Tamara hospital doctor Josh Hatton and country music’s fiddling firecracker Pixie Jenkins will be sharing the stage in the Tamworth Musical Society’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar which opens on Friday.
For the ebullient and irreverent man named Pixie, it’s a dream come true to play King Herod.
It’s the sort of role he has always gravitated towards.
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“Herod’s a comedy character and it sort of brightens the whole thing up after two hours of misery and lashing and he sort of brightens up the stage and those are the sort characters I’ve always gone for,” he said.
“Such as the muse in Fiddler on the Roof.”
He said the role had been cast to the left of field historically, pointing to portrayals by Rik Mayall and Alice Cooper.
“I’m probably either side of that,” he said.
“I was born without the embarrassment gene, so that’s a handy thing when you’re in the entertainment game.”
The titular role will be played by Dr Hatton, who has been able to juggle hospital work, family life and rehearsals.
“Healer by day, healer by night,” he said, in jest.
The doctor said having Pixie on board inspired a new level of professionalism in the cast.
“Pixie’s a legend of the Australian music scene,” he said.
“We’re very lucky to have him.”
He said there was some pressure playing the role of Jesus Christ.
“It’s a secular story, it’s not a religious story, it’s not going to church,” Dr Hatton said.
“I am trying to be as respectful to that as I can and some aren’t.”
Pixie added: “I’m trying to completely break that down when I walk on to the stage.”
Jesus Christ Superstar opens at 8pm on Friday and runs until November 10.