MISCHIEVOUS and playful characters called Peter seem to be dancer Brent Carson’s forte when cast in Prompt Corner children’s productions.
After dancing in Swan Lake for Perth City Ballet, artistic director Diana Waldron saw potential to combine his talent with acting and invited Carson to perform in Prompt Corner shows, which Waldron also directs.
He began in Peter Pan as the title character and is preparing for his latest role as Peter Rabbit in the school holiday season of The Tales of Beatrix Potter at Perth Town Hall on July 5 and 6.
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READ NOWCarson, who graduated from John Curtin College of the Arts and is in his first year of dance at WAAPA, said Potter’s lovable rabbit was definitely a part of his childhood classics.
“I read about Peter Rabbit and Jeremy Fisher,” he said.
“Marcell Steidel from WAAPA is playing Jeremy Fisher and I’ve been rehearsing with him a lot and then there’s been one-on-one rehearsals with Diana to work on my technique for some of the solos.
“Marcell and I are the oldest in the cast of about 20. There are a few performers a couple of years younger and also a few little kids who play group roles.”
Carson, who is also the narrator, said he looked forward to the July season and enjoyed performing for a younger audience
“It’s just the greatest feeling when you see their faces light up as they watch these characters come to life,” he said.
“It’s definitely my favourite part of it.”
Carson said he had always loved to dance and did mostly tap dancing before rediscovering his passion for classical ballet in Year 8.
“My dream company is The Royal Ballet in London, but I’ll start at any company and build my way up as a classical dancer; that’s the goal,” he said.
“My family are really supportive (he has three younger siblings) and I think my mum’s a bit jealous. She’s the one who got me into dancing from the start.”
THE ESSENTIALS
What: The Tales of Beatrix Potter
Where: Perth Town Hall
When: July 5 and 6
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au
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