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For 'Silly Philip', success in London has not been all plain sailing
When Australian star Philip Quast was struggling with the nuances of his Royal National Theatre lead in Stephen Sondheim's musical Sunday in the Park with George, the composer reassured him wtih the comment: "Well, you don't play tennis against someone you can beat." Now, Philip, 32, is the theatrical equivalent of a Wimbledon champ.
When he came to London a year ago, he was so sceptical he wouldn't accept a full 12-month contract with the West End production of Les Misérables; now he is applying for permanent residency in Britain.
Philip launched his acting career on Play School, where he was a host for eight years. He laughs about still not being a famous face in London, "Like I was to Australian six-year olds".
Philip thinks this past year has "matured" him. First, there were the troubled days when he came from playing the villain Javert in the Australian production of Les Miz to that role in London. He and the rest of the cast were at odds; there were backstage brawls and Philip was ostracised.
By the end of Philip's six-month run, those rifts had healed. "It was as much me having to change, as them."
Finding himself in the lead of Sunday in the Park with Geroge was a buzz unlike any he's known before.
"I was very nervous; even when we were doing previews, things were crashing backstge and I was drying in the middle of songs."
But he felt more positive going into this production than with anything else he has done, partly as a result of Stephen Sondheim's encouragement.
"He used to get such joy when I got something right" - Philip laughs.
There was another landmark for Philip when, at the end of March, after nearly 10 years of marriage, he and his wife, Carol, had a baby, Edwin Albert. Philip is a very hands-on father; the novelty of nappy-changing hasn't worn off yet. You'd think this cleft-chinned "little Pom" was a Play School doll, the way "Silly Philip" nurses him. Carol will take Edwin to Australia next month to spend time with her family. Philip may remain in London because, he says, after starring at the National Theatre "I'm not sure I'm going to be able to settle down. And not being sure, I don't know whether I should go back."
Philip has come to the point when the big-talent circus of Britain is ready to embrace him. He has a bevy of British fans. Now he has a niche in other actors' estimation as well. One night after Edwin was born, when the curtain went down on Sunday, the cast gathered around him with baby presents.
"Then they all sang Brahms 'Lullaby' - they just sort of lauched into it and started harmonising. The audience was still going out and they clapped." As Philip speaks, it is as though the tough Javert of Les Miz has turned into a soft marshmallow. "It was really, really sweet."
