Executing hundreds of costume and wig changes and making sure props are in the right place at the right time may appear seamless to the audience of the hit stage show Love Actually? The Musical Parody, but the stage team behind the scenes have a tightly choreographed script of their own.
Kingsville’s Jessica List is the assistant stage manager on the show, which has become a Christmas favourite since the release of the film starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Keira Knightley in 2003.
Jessica and dresser Tilda Luca, who lives in Bundoora, help the show’s six actors in and out of more than one hundred costumes.
Jessica’s parents met working in theatre, prompting her to study for a Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services at Melbourne Polytechnic.
She worked on Love Actually? last year as a student and was invited back this Christmas.
“I love the chaotic nature of the show. There are so many costume changes and, as a team, we have strong connections and work in close proximity together,“ she said.
“The movie translates well to the stage. The show follows the nine different couples, played by six actors. There are lots of exaggerated moments, and the characters make fun of the movie and the actors in the movie.“
In the future, Jessica would like to work on bigger productions. Her dream role would be working behind the scenes on Waitress, which is coming to Melbourne next year.
Love Actually? The Musical Parody is playing at the Athenaeum Theatre until 23 December.
