Countdown to Carols: Performer, Casey Donovan

Vision Australia Radio host Chris Thompson speaks to perfomer, musician Casey Donovan who will take to the stage of the Sydney Myer Music Bowl, this Christmas Eve.

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Episode Transcript

S1 (00:04):
Well, we are only minutes away from the beginning of
the 2023 Carols by Candlelight, but we still got one
more guest to talk to. Hot off a successful year
in and Juliet. It's Casey Donovan on the line. Welcome
to the show, Casey.

S2 (00:20):
Ah, thank you for having me.

S1 (00:22):
Now, I have to say, uh, and, Juliet, uh, what
a fantastic show.

S2 (00:26):
Oh, my goodness, it is so much fun to be
a part of. And Juliet and Melbourne went so fantastically. Uh,
we're off to Perth next, and then Sydney, so, um. Yeah,
I can't wait to jump up in the the bum
rolls of Australia.

S1 (00:38):
Now, I can tell you, I teach, um, I teach
university students in a theatre subject, um, part of which
they have to write a review. Guess what they all reviewed. What?
And Juliet. So you're a hit with the 20 somethings?

S2 (00:55):
Yeah, we love that. It is. It is honestly and
truly one of the funnest shows I have seen and
been a part of. And there is so much musical
theatre out there. These days. But and Juliet to me
is just it's a beautiful story, you know. A modern
twist on Romeo and Juliet was an absolute banger song. Mm.

S1 (01:13):
Were you always kind of drawn to that sort of
performance singing role, or is that something that kind of
developed along the way?

S2 (01:21):
Look, it certainly developed along the way. I, you know,
kind of I went to drama in high school, but,
you know, apparently drama was the blood subjects where people
would just go to, um, you know, we often had
some of the boys break off, paddle pops into the locks. Um,
you know, and we couldn't get in so they could
literally blood. So, you know, here I was wanting to

(01:41):
play a game of star jump and, you know, enjoy
my drama time. But, um, look, it is something I
always wanted to get into. I just didn't know how. And,
you know, through idol and winning that at 16, it
certainly opened a lot of doors for me. But jumping
into the musical theatre world, it has taught me so much,
and I get to learn from some of the best
in the business. You know, not having studied musical theatre

(02:04):
or have, you know, I didn't even know what prompt
and OP was. Um, so later, funny, I was just
left and right. Um, but you know.

S1 (02:13):
Yeah, but but but depending on which way you're standing
really doesn't. Yeah.

S2 (02:17):
I was like, even now, like that stage left, I
was like, is that my left or your left? Um,
but yeah, it's been such an amazing experience for me.
And I'm continuously learning and practicing my craft and upskilling. And,
you know, the audiences in Australia are just divine to
play to, um, and, you know, the cast, crew and

(02:37):
creatives that travel around with these big shows are just
they're absolutely amazing. Some of the hardest working people in Australia.

S1 (02:43):
Um, now, um, we're really here to talk about Carols
by Candlelight. Um, and you're no newbie to Carols by Candlelight,
you know, a little bit before. So as an event
where you are on stage in front of an audience,
big audience, do you have a different mindset to say,
preparing to do? And Juliet, compared to doing Carols by Candlelight,

(03:08):
do you do you kind of approach it differently?

S2 (03:10):
Yes, I think because carols comes around once a year.
So and Juliet, are you doing eight shows a week,
you know, for long periods of time where the carols
is literally 3.5 minutes pending and you get 1 or
2 songs in front of an audience that is so
joyful and happy and excited to be there. So you
kind of you just go out. It's one of, I'm

(03:31):
going to be honest and say it's one of the
most nerve wracking things you do a year, because I
think everyone just puts on this unrealistic expectation of what
they have to do. But I always kind of just
jump into it and go, it is what it is.
It's not about me. It's about going out there having
fun and celebrating Christmas with some of the most talented

(03:51):
people in Australia, um, you know, and walking backstage and,
you know, saying hi to everyone and some familiar faces
and some new faces. It's just it really is this beautiful,
joyous occasion with, you know, a little bit of nerves.
I always say to Dennis in the corner, just practicing.
And I'm like, Dennis, we've done this. You're going to

(04:12):
be so amazing. And he always is. And bless his
beautiful soul. Um, but yeah, it really is just a
night where you step out onto that stage and it'll
be what it'll be.

S1 (04:22):
It always is. Yeah.

S2 (04:24):
When you see those smiling faces and the candles in
the air, that's what. This house is about. It's about
bringing people together, you know, finishing off the year with
love and joy and, you know, remembering the good times. So, yeah,
it's always a joy to be a part of.

S1 (04:40):
Now, one of the years you did carols was, uh,
the Covid years. Yeah. Um, having said everything that you've
just said, how how do you then manage no audience.

S2 (04:54):
Well, even then, you know, when you're surrounded by cameras,
you really have to step into what it would be
if they were sitting right in front of you with
their candles. And, you know, it was amazing to be
able to still do our jobs and still celebrate Christmas
and still enjoy our time and, you know, bring joy.
We all went through Covid together, and especially here in Victoria. Um,

(05:19):
you know, we copped the brunt of it. But, um,
to be able to bring joy and still sing and
entertain and give people solace for a few hours to,
you know. Be somewhere else, um, and transport them to
a happier time. It was a beautiful, a beautiful time
in one of the most strangest times of our lives.

S1 (05:39):
Yeah, well, we're perilously close to curtain up at the
Sydney Mine Music Bowl, even though they don't have a curtain. Um. Uh,
so we better let you go. But, you know, you've
done a kind of nice segue. The 2020 Carols by
Candlelight and talking a lot about joy. We should have
a listen to you singing, belting out, I should say, um, uh,
Joy to the world. So Casey Donovan took us for

(06:03):
the night and have a great Christmas. And thanks for
being on the show.

S2 (06:06):
Dan. Merry Christmas.