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Introducing ….
The ‘Bear-Suit’
The NIDA ‘Bear-Suit’ lives in hope in the Costume store, waiting to be cast inNIDA productions. If you think employment is a challenge for actors in the industry, you should try it as a bear! He (although ‘his’ gender has never been actually determined) was created for a production of A Winter’s Tale and has just been cast as a skating Bavarian bear in Helmut Bakaitis’ The Private Life of the Master Race.
The Bear-Suit and the cast of A Winter's Tale (2004)
1. Most memorable NIDA experience?
Acting out Shakespeare’s most famous stage direction “Exit, pursued by a bear” in Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale. The audience adored me and I got to eat Antigonus as a bonus.
2. If your life were a theatre act what would it be called?
‘Bearely Worth Watching’.
3. What’s the drama in your life?
At the moment I’m trying to get a new agent. My current management are dropping me as they feel I don’t have a wide enough acting range.
4. Favourite spot for pre-theatre dinner?
I’m partial to a bowl of porridge in a lovely little cottage that I know in the woods, however, to get into character for my latest role, I have been hanging out at the Lowenbrau Keller at the Rocks.
5. Most treasured theatrical moment?
Being cast by Helmut Bakaitis in the pivotal role as the Bavarian bear in The Private Life of the Master Race. Humphrey B. phoned Aubrey Mellor, Director of NIDA, angling to get the role as they had worked together in Melbourne, but luckily Helmut thought that I would bring more truth to the role.
6. What prompts you to act?
A burning desire to communicate with my fellow man and to bring love, peace and happiness to the world.
7. Ever been upstaged?
Have you ever tried to upstage a bear on rollerskates?
8. Advice for all budding thespians?
“You’ve gotta have a gimmick … 
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