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[0:00] Justin Clarke: Welcome everyone to a brand new episode of the Theatre Thoughts Podcast. We have two amazing guests on today who I'm very, very excited to talk about SIX the Musical with. We have a triple-threat performer who graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts Music Theatre Program. She's toured nationally in the adaptation of Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom, the re-imagination of King Kong, as well as the originating role of Jane Seymour in the touring production of SIX the Musical. She's back once more playing Jane Seymour on stage in both Australia as well as Aotearoa New Zealand. It's Loren Hunter. Hello. Can I wave to the camera?

[0:37] Loren Hunter: Of course you may. Be good for the YouTube. Watch us on YouTube.

[0:44] Justin Clarke: And then of course we have another triple-threat performer from the Queensland Conservatorium of Griffith University's Bachelor of Music Theatre Program. That's a mouthful. Oh my goodness. They are hot off playing Anita in Handa Opera's production of West Side Story and Gigi in Cameron Mackintosh's Miss Saigon for Opera Australia, for which she was nominated for a Green Room Award. She's also originated roles in Australia including the role of Brianna in the original Australian production of Fangirls, big favourite, and is now taking on the first of the six queens, Catherine of Aragon. It's Kimberley Hodgson. Hi.

[1:17] Kimberley Hodgson: Hi.

[1:18] Justin Clarke: Thank you so much, both of you, for joining me and coming for a chat.

[1:22] Kimberley Hodgson: Thank you. We're very excited to be here. We love it.

[1:26] Loren Hunter: We were just talking about that. We love the Q&As. We love the podcast. We love a good chat.

[1:30] Justin Clarke: It's good. Well, I haven't had a podcast episode in a while, and as soon as SIX came across the table, I was like, well, of course I'm going to come out for SIX.

[1:35] Loren Hunter: Of course.

[1:36] Justin Clarke: I managed to see you in Melbourne. When was it? Last month, I think.

[1:41] Loren Hunter: Yes. Well, sorry, it's December now, so October. I was in Melbourne. I was like, I have to see SIX because I wasn't here for the Sydney opening. I was like, I'm going to have to see the new cast, and you're all phenomenal. It was amazing.

[1:55] Kimberley Hodgson: Thank you very much. Thanks for coming all the way down to Melbourne.

[1:58] Loren Hunter: I was just in their neighbourhood.

[2:00] Justin Clarke: It was really good because I remember it was during a rain where it was like, it was storming, and one of you did a line that was very dramatic.

[2:07] Loren Hunter: No.

[2:08] Justin Clarke: I was thinking of this last night. It was par. She goes, and she said, I remember this distinctly because she was talking on the last night about the Q&A and how these things happen sometimes that are very synchronicity sort of vibes, and she was like, and I had to write a letter to Thomas ending things, and I was like.

[2:31] Kimberley Hodgson: It was so weird. Drama.

[2:32] Justin Clarke: So hooky spooky.

[2:34] Loren Hunter: I know, right? It was spookums, spookums.

[2:36] Justin Clarke: It was just one of these things. I was like, spookums, spookums. It just really added to everything. Well, before I guess we go too much into SIX, I'd love to learn more about you both because I mean, I just went through like a tiny bit of your careers, but you guys have done so much on the scene. You queens, sorry, have done so much on the scene. So who would love to talk about themselves first?

[3:00] Kimberley Hodgson: You go first, Kimmy.

[3:02] Kimberley Hodgson: Okay. So yes, I graduated from the Conservatorium of Music in 2013, and since then, yeah, I have been working on some pretty incredible stuff.

[3:11] Loren Hunter: And working consistently.

[3:12] Kimberley Hodgson: It's been pretty consistent, yeah. I've been very lucky. I've been very lucky that the shows that have come along have been suitable for me and that I've absolutely loved doing, and I've been a part of some new works, and I've been a part of some big commercial, yeah, cookie cutter kind of shows. I think Aladdin was my longest one. I did two and a half years on that one.

[3:34] Loren Hunter: Were you working with Courtney on that?

[3:36] Kimberley Hodgson: So she replaced my cover track. So I had left at that point. I'd left and that was two and a half years in, and then there was a big cast change, and that was before they did, maybe it was Adelaide, New Zealand, Singapore, around that time. Where did you go to after that? What were you doing?

[3:58] Kimberley Hodgson: I actually didn't, that was the first time I ever left a job without having anything.

[4:02] Loren Hunter: Oh wow.

[4:03] Kimberley Hodgson: Which, you've been on it for quite some time.

[4:05] Kimberley Hodgson: I had been on it for a long time, and I mean, to do a show, I had a really hard dancing track in that show, and I was pretty enthusiastic about that at the time, and then, and then your body's paying for it tonight.

[4:15] Loren Hunter: I'm still paying for it now to this day.

[4:17] Kimberley Hodgson: We're all nursing those things.

[4:19] Loren Hunter: Yeah, our bodies have those scars that will just stay with us forever.

[4:23] Kimberley Hodgson: My feet are so sore, but it was, I mean, it was an incredible learning experience for me to not, I won't say endure, but to put my body through that for such a lengthy amount of time, and to come out of it at the end of that journey saying to myself that it's okay to say goodbye, and that was a big learning experience for me, and have since only ever really kind of done that once, but normally, I get a little bit, oh, I don't, yeah, because I'm like, oh, I don't have another thing to go to.

[4:56] Loren Hunter: Oh, I'm the same, I'm the exact same in my job.

[4:58] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, and that's, I mean, there is always that concern of, you know, money coming in. I have other jobs that I do, and that I work, so it's okay, money's okay, but yeah, there is also that expectation of like, oh, I better book another one, just to make sure that I'm, you know, still, you know.

[5:16] Loren Hunter: Do you feel like a pressure to be relevant or something?

[5:18] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, well, I also just feel the pressure of like proving to myself that I am still worthy of working. I don't know, I don't know if that's.

[5:27] Loren Hunter: No, that's really interesting. I think that's the expectation I put on myself. I'm a very hard worker.

[5:32] Kimberley Hodgson: And you've worked on like two different types of stages as well, all the way from Belvoir to Handa Opera, you know, on the Harbour.

[5:37] Loren Hunter: Yeah, that's massive.

[5:39] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, it's huge. And I do like to, I do like a challenge. I feel like my attitude towards the challenges as I'm getting older is, it's the frame, the frame of mindset is a little bit different, but I now look in, you know, in hindsight at the things that I've done, and I truly give myself a bit of a pat on the back, because I have done things that I really don't think I ever imagined I would have been able to do.

[6:06] Loren Hunter: Truly, really questioning my ability, and I'm like, I don't know why they've actually making me do this, because I don't know if I can do it.

[6:12] Kimberley Hodgson: Do you look back on those ones now and you go, well, I couldn't do it now?

[6:16] Loren Hunter: Oh, yeah. Like, I look back at where I was, and it's only like, sure, you could do it now. But I look back on moments that I go, oh, that was a very specific time of my life that I could only produce that amount, like that work, or create that in that little pocket of life. Do you feel that?

[6:34] Kimberley Hodgson: Absolutely. I did the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. That one. I should know what it is. I've done it twice.

[6:40] Loren Hunter: What is it?

[6:41] Kimberley Hodgson: Handa Opera on the Harbour. Is that the one with West Side?

[6:44] Loren Hunter: Yeah. Okay, that's what they call it.

[6:46] Kimberley Hodgson: Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Yeah, so that's what the...

[6:49] Loren Hunter: It's like a subcompany, isn't it, of opera?

[6:51] Kimberley Hodgson: I believe so. I believe so. So I did the production of West Side Story five years ago.

[6:56] Loren Hunter: Oh, five years now. Wow.

[6:58] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes, five years ago, and I was in the ensemble and I covered Anita.

[7:02] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[7:03] Kimberley Hodgson: And then I played the role five years on. But I truly, energetically and emotionally, I don't feel like I would have been able to do the role justice if I were to do it back then compared to now. But then it's kind of a double-edged sword where my body has aged a lot in five years. So it was an opportunity that I had a lot of doubt. I had a lot of doubt in myself and my capabilities because I just didn't know if my body would be able to do it. But my mind and my soul wanted to tell the story and it was ready to tell the story. So it was a great challenge in that way.

[7:42] Loren Hunter: I can't remember who said it. It was probably one of the wise people like Ian McKellen or someone. They said something along the lines of that the roles that you most want will come to you when you need them or when you're ready for them.

[7:54] Kimberley Hodgson: A hundred percent, I agree with that. Because I've always wanted to play Hamlet in my life. I'm a big Shakespeare fan. And it's like you can't play it when you're 18, or you can, kind of, but you can't play it when you're 60 or 70, but it might come at the right time for you whenever it crosses your path. So probably a similar sort of ideal.

[8:12] Loren Hunter: A hundred percent.

[8:13] Justin Clarke: And speaking of roles, I mean you, Jane Seymour. I was about to call you Jane and I was like, that's not your name. Because you played it from the start and incredible at it as well. I remember because I've seen you do it at the Opera House Theatre Royal.

[8:27] Loren Hunter: When did you see it at the Opera House first?

[8:29] Justin Clarke: It was not when you first had the original cast. I think it was just after you came back from COVID.

[8:34] Loren Hunter: In that 21 gap?

[8:36] Justin Clarke: Yeah. And then at the Theatre Royal. And then I saw in Melbourne as well. And every time you do something different with it. It's not massive differences, but it's enough to change the entire perspective, which I find fascinating. And I mean, obviously with your career, you've done so much as well. Do you find that a lot of that builds up to where you are today, your career and the foundations you set?

[9:00] Loren Hunter: The way I hear that question is, has my career helped me?

[9:03] Justin Clarke: That is a much better way of saying it.

[9:05] Loren Hunter: No, no, no. That's okay. I just wanted to be sure. Oh yes. And, and funnily enough, like the reason why I asked you if you'd seen the first one is that that was almost like the training I had to do it then the second and the third time.

[9:17] Justin Clarke: Right. Gotcha.

[9:18] Loren Hunter: So my experience on the first time I was highly anxious, really struggled with performance anxiety. Yeah, I have so many stories in that, in that three month, you know, time where we did it that, and then I had obviously COVID had happened and I was able to go home and it's not lost on me that, you know, COVID was crazy for a lot of people and really hard, but, um, great. I was very grateful to be able to be with my family at that time. And I just really needed it. Like every, like the whole, my whole entire career sort of caught up with me at that time. And to be with my family for, what was it? Like a year and a half was just the best thing that possibly could have happened. And so then coming back to it, I was like, well, I don't want it to be like that.

I don't want it. I don't want to re I want it to actually be really enjoyable because why else am I doing this? You know? Um, and so I guess, yeah, the answer to your question is yes. My whole entire career helped me with these moments and, and all of that, but actually it was the sixth, the first time that I did it, that really switched it up of how I actually wanted to approach it the second and third time.

[10:30] Loren Hunter: Wow. Yeah. Yeah. And I've got, yeah, so many stories about that time. It was just a really, I was doing the artist way at the time.

[10:36] Justin Clarke: That's a great book.

[10:37] Loren Hunter: Oh gosh. It changed my life. Julia Cameron is her name and it's a 12 week course. I literally, it comes up every time I speak about SIX because it was such an integral time in my, um, and I guess my creative, what am I trying to say? Creative approach.

[10:55] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah.

[10:56] Loren Hunter: And like who I want to be as a creator. It sounds so, um, I don't want to use the word wanky, but I just did. But, um, but it does sound like that, but it really just changed the game for me.

[11:06] Kimberley Hodgson: So it's something that, of course, that you take yourself through yourself.

[11:09] Loren Hunter: Yeah. So, um, and that I did over the entire period, it literally ended the moment I was driving back up to Brisbane. And so it was like this sort of gift that I gave myself, um, to be like, all right, use all of the things that you learned then to change it up so that you're not having to be anxious. Cause that's really not the story. And it happens to a lot of performers. I think a lot of audience members, they, we only see really for those who've said, let's say, for instance, they go see SIX one, they see that show and that show only, but they don't think about the two you've done, you know, the previous week or the other one you've done that day. And you just see that moment in time. And so it's a very specific thing really that I don't think a lot of audience members kind of comprehend. And it's been interesting for me, like talking with amazing artists like yourself to see the bigger process behind everything.

[12:01] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, definitely. And I mean, and also to answer your question, like I've had considerable breaks in between doing this show and, you know, we're all changing all the time and I'm not the same person as I was, you know, when I did it the first time, when I did it the second time, when I did it the third time and all of those things that I've experienced, whether it's overseas trips or things like that, like I knew it was going to come up, but I walked the Camino last year and I can hear all the girls at work going, oh, did you walk the Camino? Because I always talk about it.

[12:30] Justin Clarke: What is, can you give them context of the Camino?

[14:19] Kimberley Hodgson: And Kimberley Hodgson. Loren Hunter and Kimberley Hodgson.

[14:49] Kimberley Hodgson: Kimberley Hodgson.

[15:19] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[15:39] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[16:09] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[16:39] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[17:08] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[17:36] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[18:06] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[18:36] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[19:06] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[19:36] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[20:06] Kimberley Hodgson: Loren Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[20:32] Loren Hunter: Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[20:59] Loren Hunter: Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[21:28] Loren Hunter: Hunter & Kimberley Hodgson.

[21:55] Kimberley Hodgson: I have never experienced a moment like that in theatre ever, where her voice just nailed me to the chair. I can't even explain it. And the journey she took you on, I am in awe and I will never forget that. I was so grateful. I have a lot of gratitude that I was able to experience her. Well, I mean, I saw, obviously, The Wicked movie recently. I mean, we're going to change this to... We're going to talk about it. It's like part two. But she sung The Wizard and I. And I appreciate The Wizard and I. I think it's just as good a song as Defying Gravity. And in the movie, when she started singing, I'm going to tear up thinking about it. I got chills. Because her voice is just so pure, so effortless.

And when she started singing the first couple of notes of The Wizard and I, I started tearing up. I was like, we're 10 minutes into the movie, you know? I think it's also what she, she is such a smart actor. And that's so like, you hear that so, it's so trite. You hear that all the time. But it's beyond her voice. I think it's her entire entity. You know, I feel like she's just magic. And she was born to do things like this. But she brings to life story. She makes story the most important thing. And then her voice, not necessarily that it's secondary, but it's the way that those two things collide that you're like, definitely, oh, you're, you're, yeah, you're, you're it. Yeah, you're it. How incredible. What a story to tell.

[24:02] Loren Hunter: Well, I mean, I saw, I saw Bok play Spongebob. So, you know, I only realised it the other day, because I remember seeing Spongebob like, oh, that was a silly show. And then I remembered that it was him. And I was like, oh, that's right. I've seen him do that role. Okay, well, I don't know if this is the same question or not. But I'd love to know a show that left you speechless, if that is.

[24:07] Kimberley Hodgson: Honestly, yeah, I mean, and Wicked. Well, I actually, yeah, I went up, we, all of us went and saw this movie together.

[24:22] Loren Hunter: Oh, did you?

[24:30] Kimberley Hodgson: And we were, I mean, there is video evidence, we were all pretty speechless after that and just absolutely ruined in the best kind of way. And I don't, and I still, after all this time since seeing it, I still quite, I can't quite put words to the emotions that I felt and words to, like my, my gratitude towards it, and what it was and what it stood for and how it just put some, a show that was, is very, very integral to me and my career. It was the first show that I ever saw as a young teenager, because I couldn't afford to see anything.

[25:03] Loren Hunter: Were you belting it in the shower like I was?

[25:06] Kimberley Hodgson: Well, no, but I just would appreciate it for, see, this is the thing, I'm not, I don't, I don't.

[25:12] Loren Hunter: You don't sing in the shower?

[25:14] Kimberley Hodgson: No, I sing in the shower, I sing nonsense. But when I, you know, I was like, getting into musical theatre, I never wanted to kind of be a part of it. I just wanted to experience it from like, kind of far. It was, I don't know, and I don't know, I have always not really been an MT kid. I grew up just literally just like vomiting on the Gold Coast doing whatever dance class I could afford to go to.

[25:34] Loren Hunter: And your mum taught you how to sing?

[25:37] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, my mum taught me how to sing, so I was self-trained. So I wasn't really exposed to the commercial world for a very long time. And then I was in, I think I was in grade 12, and I went and saw Wicked in QPAC. And the feeling that I had when I had the overture blasting at me in the bleachers at the back was a similar feeling to how I was feeling watching this movie. And so I just think it's, it was very special for me to be able to sit there and appreciate it in the light that...

[26:07] Loren Hunter: Yeah, and I think also, you know, I think everyone's like, Wicked's amazing, but I think what I just genuinely loved about it is the direction.

[26:18] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes, yes, John too, was just, what he did with that movie was crazy. I just thought, okay, here is someone who's like, story, story, story, story, story, story, story, you know? Obviously, the story to him was the, and I know that sounds so obvious, but sometimes...

[26:37] Loren Hunter: No, not for everyone. Not for movie, musical, sometimes they're just quick cut out, like, let's make a quick buck, let's turn into a movie, let's cast Jane's Coordinate, it'll be great.

[26:46] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, yeah. But this, he's like, you know what, we got to, you know, when he says things like, I've watched an interview with him the other day, I was like, God, I would kill to work with someone like you. But he was saying, you know, Elphaba has to earn her flight. And just like those things that I was like, damn, like, how did you even know that?

[27:07] Loren Hunter: Well, he's obviously very intelligent and all those things, but I was just like, you're so on the money.

[27:11] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, yeah. And he didn't miss a beat. No, not at all. And I really thought that, with that movie, is what is actually the, like, I hope he wins Oscars and he just deserves it. It's going to win awards for sure. I just think the direction was unbelievably good.

[27:29] Loren Hunter: I'm going to say something controversial. Wicked is not my favourite musical.

[27:34] Kimberley Hodgson: Okay.

[27:40] Loren Hunter: Yeah. What is?

[27:40] Kimberley Hodgson: Well, that's a good question. Because I don't know is the answer.

[27:47] Loren Hunter: Okay.

[27:47] Kimberley Hodgson: But I have a couple. Six was up there, as well as Les Mis. I'm very badly a fan of the Book of Mormon. I just find it very funny.

[27:54] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[27:54] Kimberley Hodgson: And I laugh a lot. And I love, I love Spamalot as well. I love Spamalot because that was one of the first musicals I did, like coming up. And so I have a lot of good memories with it.

[28:05] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[28:05] Kimberley Hodgson: And there's a whole bunch of others. But Wicked's, like, not up there for me. But now I think it might be because the movie made me appreciate it on this whole other level. You know, like I saw the subtext in it when I was watching the musical. I've seen the musical, like, a bunch of times. But it's just, like, hit me in an entirely different way.

[28:25] Loren Hunter: Oh, yeah.

[28:25] Kimberley Hodgson: And I just think if that can do that for me, like, that's, that's a good mark of a good movie.

[28:31] Loren Hunter: One hundred percent.

[28:31] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah. And that you forget time.

[28:38] Loren Hunter: Yes.

[28:38] Kimberley Hodgson: Almost like that time stops and you're so invested and you're like, oh, I've just woken up from something like that's what I think good art does.

[28:45] Loren Hunter: Yeah. It's true.

[28:39] Kimberley Hodgson: And it was the first opening night of my career that I have felt, oh, this is what they talk about, like with like flow state.

[29:09] Loren Hunter: Yes, yes.

[29:10] Kimberley Hodgson: Like I started meditating quite a couple months before and I was just completely, there's that abandon that you feel of like, I don't even, I'm not even in control of this.

[29:22] Loren Hunter: It sounds weird, but it just sort of happened.

[29:25] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah. And I remember feeling like, oh, this is why I do what I do.

[29:30] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[29:31] Kimberley Hodgson: In terms of like feeling that sort of abandon and it's not actually about me. It's about bringing the story as best as I can to life.

[29:40] Loren Hunter: Yeah. That's beautiful.

[29:42] Kimberley Hodgson: So. Those are very good answers.

[29:44] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[29:45] Kimberley Hodgson: And then I got a review after that was like, it was awful. I was like, oh, maybe I should look at the reviews to see.

[29:54] Loren Hunter: Don't ever look at reviews.

[29:55] Kimberley Hodgson: Darling.

[29:56] Loren Hunter: Bloody reviewers. Who needs them?

[29:57] Kimberley Hodgson: Wait, one second. This was also not a rewarding experience, but a very important lesson.

[30:02] Loren Hunter: Yeah, right.

[30:03] Kimberley Hodgson: Whereby, I was like, I'll just look it up. Maybe I've been getting some nice feedback, you know, and I looked it up. Loren Hunter's Liza Minnelli was a limp caricature.

[30:13] Loren Hunter: Oh, get out. That's awful.

[30:17] Kimberley Hodgson: And I went close, close, close, close. Exit, exit, exit. Called Kelly Abbey, who is still to this day one of the best mentors I've ever had.

[30:27] Loren Hunter: And she was talking about how in Sweet Charity, when she did it for Australia in one city, like say it was Melbourne, it was like Kelly Abbey, the best things to Australia.

[30:35] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah.

[30:37] Loren Hunter: Wait, where were we? Melbourne. And then in Sydney, I can't remember which way it went. But then in Sydney, she was like the worst thing to ever hit Australia.

[30:43] Kimberley Hodgson: She goes, do not listen to them. And since then, and that was back in 2016, 2017 or something like that, I've never read a review.

[30:51] Loren Hunter: Yeah, good.

[30:52] Kimberley Hodgson: And my dad, love you, dad, but will constantly, have you read any of the reviews? And every time I'll say, dad, I do not read reviews, but I will read the ones that are good.

[31:06] Loren Hunter: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[31:07] Kimberley Hodgson: If you send them to me, send them to us.

[31:09] Loren Hunter: Send a good one.

[31:10] Kimberley Hodgson: You know? I mean, that's how I started this. I started with reviewing and I still do it, but I've never wanted to be one of those people that sits there and gets their jollies off by going, oh, they were bloody terrible.

[31:21] Loren Hunter: Well, it's a weird thing, right? Because I do think there is some value in critique.

[31:26] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, I think it's the way you say it is the right way.

[31:28] Loren Hunter: Yes, yes.

[31:29] Kimberley Hodgson: Like, I think I wrote one recently that said that something about the character was great, but the way that it was written was a missed opportunity. But it wasn't about them, it was just the character was just a missed opportunity.

[31:39] Loren Hunter: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[31:40] Kimberley Hodgson: It wasn't developed.

[31:41] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[31:42] Kimberley Hodgson: But I wasn't going to say, like, they were a waste of space or something like that.

[31:45] Loren Hunter: They were limp caricature.

[31:46] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, limp caricature.

[31:47] Loren Hunter: That's terrible.

[31:48] Kimberley Hodgson: But I just remember just being like, but it was just so vastly different to the feedback that I'd gotten as well.

[31:53] Loren Hunter: So I was like, oh, so maybe he was having an off day or maybe it was right.

[31:57] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah.

[31:58] Loren Hunter: Who knows?

[31:59] Kimberley Hodgson: But I just took away so much from that experience as a whole that I was just like, oh, whatever.

[32:04] Loren Hunter: Beautiful.

[32:05] Kimberley Hodgson: It is what it is.

[32:06] Loren Hunter: Well, the final question, my favourite one, is I'd love to know which production you'd most want to see come to Australia.

[32:11] Kimberley Hodgson: You go.

[32:12] Loren Hunter: Waitress.

[32:13] Kimberley Hodgson: Waitress!

[32:15] Loren Hunter: I was thinking that too.

[32:16] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, we can both be in it.

[32:17] Loren Hunter: Yes.

[32:18] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes.

[32:19] Loren Hunter: Did you audition for the first time?

[32:22] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes.

[32:23] Loren Hunter: I don't know.

[32:24] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes, I think I was.

[32:25] Loren Hunter: I'm still on hold.

[32:26] Kimberley Hodgson: I'm still on hold too, but I did get the email that it was going to be cancelled, which makes me think I was very close to the end.

[32:30] Loren Hunter: Yes.

[32:31] Kimberley Hodgson: Well, yes, I think I was on hold at the time and then anyway.

[32:34] Loren Hunter: That's right, because I know, like, parts of the story from talking to so many people, I know that it was going to come.

[32:39] Kimberley Hodgson: I didn't know it actually auditioned.

[32:41] Loren Hunter: Yeah, we all auditioned.

[32:42] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, yeah.

[32:43] Loren Hunter: Right, okay.

[32:44] Kimberley Hodgson: To the end.

[32:45] Loren Hunter: This was before COVID, wasn't it?

[32:46] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes.

[32:47] Loren Hunter: Or was it during?

[32:48] Kimberley Hodgson: No, no, no, it was before COVID.

[32:49] Loren Hunter: It was before COVID.

[32:50] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah.

[32:51] Loren Hunter: Way before COVID.

[32:52] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah.

[32:53] Loren Hunter: Interesting.

[32:54] Kimberley Hodgson: I was in Melbourne at the time.

[32:55] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[32:56] Kimberley Hodgson: But yeah, Waitress.

[32:57] Loren Hunter: Waitress was a good one.

[32:58] Kimberley Hodgson: Waitress.

[32:59] Loren Hunter: It is a great show.

[33:00] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, it's a beautiful show.

[33:01] Loren Hunter: I also saw that with Jessie Muir.

[33:02] Kimberley Hodgson: Did you?

[33:03] Loren Hunter: Did you?

[33:04] Kimberley Hodgson: When I was in New York at the time.

[33:05] Loren Hunter: I saw it with Shoshana Bean.

[33:06] Kimberley Hodgson: Oh.

[33:07] Loren Hunter: Oh, wow.

[33:08] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes.

[33:09] Loren Hunter: That's still also very good.

[33:10] Kimberley Hodgson: Fantastic.

[33:11] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[33:12] Kimberley Hodgson: I can't remember who I was.

[33:13] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[33:14] Kimberley Hodgson: That'd do very well.

[33:15] Loren Hunter: I think so.

[33:16] Kimberley Hodgson: The music is incredible.

[33:17] Loren Hunter: The music.

[33:18] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah.

[33:19] Loren Hunter: The story, awesome.

[33:20] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, like, it's just so like.

[33:22] Loren Hunter: I don't reckon it'd be far away.

[33:23] Kimberley Hodgson: Because I mean, if you have a look at the slate of next year, we've got a whole bunch of new shows coming, which hopefully producers are finally listening, you know?

[33:30] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[33:31] Kimberley Hodgson: But yeah, you never know.

[33:32] Loren Hunter: You never know.

[33:33] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes.

[33:34] Loren Hunter: You never know.

[33:35] Kimberley Hodgson: Well.

[33:36] Loren Hunter: We're ready.

[33:37] Kimberley Hodgson: Ready to go.

[33:38] Loren Hunter: Hire us.

[33:39] Kimberley Hodgson: Everything changes.

[33:41] Loren Hunter: We won't put as much vibrato in there next time.

[33:46] Kimberley Hodgson: Straight tone.

[33:47] Loren Hunter: So good.

[33:48] Kimberley Hodgson: Well, let's swing it back to Six then.

[33:51] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[33:52] Kimberley Hodgson: So you are both playing, obviously, two Queens of Six. Kimberley, you're playing Catherine of Aragon.

[33:57] Loren Hunter: Yeah.

[33:58] Kimberley Hodgson: And Lauren, you're obviously playing Jane Seymour.

[34:00] Loren Hunter: Yes.

[34:01] Kimberley Hodgson: So I was picking up little things here and there when you're talking about telling the story, the importance of telling the story. When I spoke to Vidya when she was in it, she was talking about all this stuff that her character did. She was one of the first women to write this book, but then the women writing these books over here. And I was just like, oh my god, I've done your research.

[34:21] Loren Hunter: Oh yeah.

[34:22] Kimberley Hodgson: It was full on. And I have a friend who's a massive Six fan. I think she's seen it like 30 times or something. She's met Toby Marlow, Lucy Moss at some stage in her life. And she's a massive scholar when it comes to the Queens. So I'd love to know how much is you and how much is you telling the story?

[34:43] Loren Hunter: That's such a good question. I would say for me, and this is something that I do with any character I approach, I try to instill about 80% of myself.

[34:51] Kimberley Hodgson: 100%.

[34:52] Loren Hunter: And then 20%, just a layer of spirit of the person that I am, you know.

[34:56] Kimberley Hodgson: Portraying.

[34:57] Loren Hunter: Portraying. Yeah. I would say 100% myself.

[35:01] Kimberley Hodgson: Because in order for me to bring the story to life in a truthful, honest, authentic way, that is all me.

[35:07] Loren Hunter: And yes, I have to think about the stakes of the character and where she was at and those sort of things. But I'm not her.

[35:13] Kimberley Hodgson: And the best way I can possibly bring it to life is through me, I guess, in a way.

[35:19] Loren Hunter: I mean, that's the great thing about, I mean, some of the histories of these women were wiped. But I feel like for me, there's a decent amount of information that I could go through.

[35:27] Kimberley Hodgson: It's 24 years.

[35:28] Loren Hunter: Yeah, exactly. And I just feel like that's a lot to condense into a song and then a couple of scenes that are just peppered with a few facts.

[35:36] Kimberley Hodgson: And I think that it's actually, there's so much more and there's so much that actually should be celebrated for Catherine of Aragon. I think she did a lot more than what we actually assume and what we actually hear in the show.

[35:47] Loren Hunter: And I think that in itself and maybe not even being able to celebrate some of the incredible things that she did by saying it in the scenes, I think is enough to drive me as a person to really feel the importance of her presence in this story and how she's portrayed.

[35:58] Kimberley Hodgson: I was going to say, the stakes are really important as well, obviously. I'm not a mum. I've not had to say goodbye to my child. I don't know what that's like, but I often do.

[36:06] Loren Hunter: It's as if, like just the old acting 101, it's as if this is happening in real time and sometimes that just is so helpful.

[36:12] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, definitely. I have this quote, actually it's Elizabeth I, who is the daughter of Anne Boleyn.

[36:20] Loren Hunter: Yes, yes.

[36:21] Kimberley Hodgson: And she, I'm going to butcher it, but it's something along the lines of, I may be like a feeble and weak woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king.

[36:30] Loren Hunter: And it was basically a, basically, it's not basic. It was a speech that she said to the people, maybe before a particular war.

[36:39] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, it sounds like a war speech.

[36:40] Loren Hunter: She, like I just, and then immediately I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders.

[36:45] Kimberley Hodgson: Wow.

[36:46] Loren Hunter: Like when I read that, and these women would have.

[36:49] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes.

[36:50] Loren Hunter: They were queens, for goodness sake, you know, and just that weight and that you had to, even if you were just a little bit fearful or scared, you had to pretend.

[36:57] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, it was that real mask a lot of them put on, wasn't it?

[36:59] Loren Hunter: Yeah, particularly in that time.

[37:00] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes, very much so.

[37:01] Loren Hunter: So high stakes.

[37:02] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes.

[37:03] Loren Hunter: You know, so. Living that life, especially under someone like the king was at the time.

[37:06] Kimberley Hodgson: Where you could be like, all right, well, I'm done with you.

[37:08] Loren Hunter: You can overhead it.

[37:09] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, exactly. You know, there's so much pressure there.

[37:11] Loren Hunter: Yeah. So yeah, when I, I remember reading that quote, and I think it was to the tech, but I was like, you know what, I'm just going to like see what comes of like that feeling that I felt with reading this thing.

[37:20] Kimberley Hodgson: And it was just so much more like dense.

[37:22] Loren Hunter: You'll still find stone, all of those things.

[37:24] Kimberley Hodgson: It's almost like I imagined that I was Elizabeth I for a second.

[37:27] Loren Hunter: Whatever helps.

[37:28] Kimberley Hodgson: Yeah, whatever helps to get you there.

[37:29] Loren Hunter: Do you think also that that's why everyone has their favourites, you know, their favourite Jane Seymour, their favourite Catherine?

[37:33] Kimberley Hodgson: Oh yeah, absolutely. Because the performer gives it just like something unique and no two are the same.

[42:58] Kimberley Hodgson: It's been such an incredible journey, and I feel like every time we step on stage, we get to share a little piece of ourselves with the audience.

[43:28] Loren Hunter: Absolutely! And the energy from the crowd is just electric. It really fuels our performances and makes each show unique.

[43:58] Kimberley Hodgson: I think what’s special about SIX is how it resonates with so many people. The stories of these queens are timeless, and they connect with audiences on so many levels.

[44:28] Loren Hunter: Yes, and the music is so catchy! I find myself humming the songs long after the show ends.

[45:28] Kimberley Hodgson: Right? And the choreography is just as engaging. It’s a full-body experience, not just for us but for the audience too.

[46:28] Loren Hunter: I love how we get to showcase our individual characters while still being part of this amazing ensemble.

[46:58] Kimberley Hodgson: Exactly! Each queen has her own story and personality, but together we create something really powerful.

[47:28] Loren Hunter: And the costumes! They’re stunning and really help to bring our characters to life.

[47:58] Kimberley Hodgson: They do! I feel like a queen every time I put on my costume. It’s such a confidence boost.

[48:28] Loren Hunter: And the way the audience reacts to our performances is just incredible. It’s like we’re all part of this big celebration.

[48:58] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes! It’s a shared experience, and I think that’s what makes live theatre so special.

[49:28] Loren Hunter: I agree. There’s nothing quite like the energy of a live audience.

[49:58] Kimberley Hodgson: And being able to connect with them through our performances is something I cherish.

[50:18] Loren Hunter: It’s a privilege to tell these stories and to bring these historical figures to life in a modern context.

[50:38] Kimberley Hodgson: Absolutely! It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much more there is to achieve.

[50:58] Loren Hunter: And I think that’s why the show resonates with so many people, regardless of their background.

[51:18] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes! It’s about empowerment and finding your voice, which is something everyone can relate to.

[51:38] Loren Hunter: And the camaraderie we have as a cast really shines through in our performances.

[51:58] Kimberley Hodgson: It does! We support each other on and off stage, which makes the experience even more rewarding.

[52:18] Loren Hunter: I think that bond translates to the audience, making them feel even more connected to the story.

[52:38] Kimberley Hodgson: Definitely! It’s like we’re all in this together, and that sense of community is so important.

[52:58] Loren Hunter: And I love how the show encourages people to embrace their individuality.

[53:18] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes! Each queen has her own unique journey, and that’s something we celebrate every night.

[53:38] Loren Hunter: It’s a beautiful message, and I think it’s what keeps people coming back to see the show.

[53:58] Kimberley Hodgson: For sure! And I can’t wait to see how audiences in other cities react to it.

[54:18] Loren Hunter: Me too! It’s exciting to think about sharing this experience with even more people.

[54:38] Kimberley Hodgson: And I hope it inspires them to find their own voice and story.

[54:58] Loren Hunter: Absolutely! That’s what it’s all about—empowerment and connection.

[55:18] Kimberley Hodgson: I couldn’t agree more. It’s such a joy to be part of this production.

[55:38] Loren Hunter: And I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share this journey with all of you.

[55:58] Kimberley Hodgson: Here’s to many more performances and unforgettable moments ahead!

[56:18] Loren Hunter: Cheers to that! Let’s keep making magic on stage together.

[56:38] Kimberley Hodgson: Yes, let’s!