Having trained at The Australian Ballet School and with the Sydney Dance Company, Jackson Fisch joined Matthew Bourne's New Adventures team in 2017.
This week he is showing his ace ability at Milton Keynes Theatre, starring as The Swan/The Stranger in Bourne's legendary Swan Lake.
Jackson spoke with Total MK...
Tell us about your first memory of the theatre
My first memory of the theatre was seeing The Australian Ballet perform Don Quixote with my grandmother. I remember turning to her after the performance and telling her that that’s what I wanted to do when I’m older.
And the moment when you realised the theatre was your calling
My journey to theatre was very gradual. From learning to dance at the age of 4, to beginning professional training at 10 at The Australian Ballet School, my love for theatre has continued to grow. I wouldn’t say there was a defining moment but rather years of hard work to achieve a position in this industry.
Explain what it's like working for New Adventures and the genius of Matthew Bourne - and what your first day with the company was like?
Working with this company is an incredibly unique experience. The sheer amount of shows we perform and cities around the world we visit is unlike any other touring company. It brings certain challenges but performing for audience members that are so incredibly enthusiastic about what we do brings a lot joy to the job. And of course working with Matthew really is a pleasure. Seeing how he crafts stories and creates works that really speak to people is a great honour.
My first day mostly consisted of meeting the other company members, and just taking in the excitement of it all. Going straight from school straight into a company like New Adventures was quite a shift!
Have you had any funny happenings on stage that you would care to share with us?
One of the best things about live theatre is exactly that, it’s live and happening in front of you. Some of the best (and funniest) moments I’ve experienced have been when things do go wrong, and watching how people scramble to deal with it. Dropping props, stumbling, or small issues with costumes tend to make for some pretty funny situations.
Do you have any superstitions, or pre-performance routines?
I have my routine, but I tend to stay away from superstitions. I find that relying on superstitions sets you up to believe that those things will dictate whether a show will go well or not. In reality, things are constantly going wrong, and it’s our job to keep the show on track no matter what.
What was the best piece of advice given to you when you started in the business?
Have fun.
What do you think has been your steepest learning curve?
That there is no such thing as perfect. We can plan, train and create exactly how we want something to be, but at the end of the day what makes things interesting is their individuality and their imperfections.
How do you fill your spare time while on tour?
I tend to choose to do things that are pretty relaxing in my spare time. On a show like Swan Lake, where the physical demand is so high, spare time doubles as recovery time. So things like reading, sitting in coffee shops, dinners with friends all keep the cup full.
Nerves or excitement? Which takes over just before the curtain rises?
It’s a strong mix of both!
For anyone who hasn't yet seen this beautiful production of Swan Lake, why should they come and see it? Could you briefly explain your roles?
This production is still, after 30 years, as unique and revolutionary as it was in its initial creation. Coming to see a show like this is to witness a piece of history that continues to speak to audiences and to challenge people’s perceptions. I have two roles in this production. I perform in the ensemble as well as The Swan/Stranger. Having the opportunity to be a part of this production in any capacity is a real pleasure and certainly a career highlight.
Swan Lake continues at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday, April 19: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/matthew-bournes-swan-lake/milton-keynes-theatre/
