Former Bendigo performer Lyndall Grant is part of the more than 130-strong cast bringing magic to life on stage in Melbourne.
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Grant, who grew up and went to school in Bendigo, is an ensemble member and movement captain in the hit Australian production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
As a youngster, Grant had an interest in theatre but Bendigo was short of drama-based opportunities.
"I didn't really get to be too much of a part of (Bendigo theatre)," she said.
"Bendigo Theatre Company did works like Oliver and Annie with kids in it but I was very, very sporty and academically focused, so there was not too much time to get involved. I did Bendigo Youth Choir and gymnastics but had a yearning for theatre.
"When I was really young in Mornington, I did calisthenics and grew up watching Julie Andrews. I wanted to perform and would make my friends join with me. I loved the feeling being on stage, using my body and being creative."
Her role in the two-part, six-hour play that is on at the Princess Theatre is a full circle moment for Grant who saw her first theatre show at the Princess Theatre.
"It's just amazing. I still pinch myself," she said.
"When I went and saw Phantom of the Opera at the Princess Theatre, it was the first time I could articulate that this is what I want to do - create characters be in this (theatrical) world.
"After Phantom, I became quite obsessed with (theatre). I saw Sunset Boulevard, Cats, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast and the Princess Theatre was this theatre mecca, at that stage it was the only place doing big shows."
With experience in gymnastics, sport, theatre, calisthenics and singing, Grant completed a master of arts (acting) at the London School of Acting in 2006.
She is experienced in fight directing and choreography. Her experience in theatre movement makes Harry Potter and Cursed Child a dream role for Grant.
Parts of the Cursed Child play that include flashbacks and the hustle and bustle of the wizarding world are largely reliant on the ensemble's movement.
The choreographed movement, which Grant is captain for, make montages and scene transformations, that might otherwise be standard, a delight to watch.
"I have studied a lot of forms movement, how to use the body and translate that into something another performer can do," Grant said.
"The ensemble drives show forward and the movements are intricate. That's why I auditioned, they wanted movement actors for the ensemble
"If someone had said write down what play or role defines why you are a performer, for me it's this part because of the movement, working with your body and emotions and doing specialised technical work."
If someone said write down what play or role defines why you are a performer, for me it's this part because of the movement, working with your body and emotions and doing specialised technical work.
- Lyndall Grant
Grant said that sort of wizardry along with the immersive atmosphere created in the Princess Theatre makes the production an amazing experience. Grant's role in the show also sees her take on some iconic Harry Potter characters as well as her ensemble roles.
"I cover three different roles including Ginny and Professor McGonagall," she said.
"It's super exciting, not only get to do those roles, but feel a part of the fabric and heartbeat of the show.
"You put on different costumes, and to play the iconic Professor McGonagall in the footsteps of Debra Lawrence is incredible. I have been able to experience the show from lots of perspectives."
Like many actors in the Cursed Child production, Grant's path to be cast began when the original Harry Potter books were released in 1997.
She attended Flora Hill Secondary followed by Bendigo Senior Secondary College until 1997 when she began studying veterinary science at university.
"At that age, I got swept up in university but I read the first few books and loved them. Then I got distracted. I saw the first few movies but got busy doing other things," Grant said. "On the anniversary of the first release I came back to them and said 'you know what need to read these'. And I had a moment of 'why has it taken me this long?'"
"So I read the whole series and then did so again. Then I watched all the movies, heard there were auditions (for the Melbourne production), read the books again, then got the part and read the books a again."
It was a cup of coffee with a friend that alerted Grant to the auditions for the Melbourne production.
"When I came back from the UK in 2016, I was working as a stage combat teacher and stage fighter," she said.
"I hadn't gone through ropes of getting agent and acting because I was busy fight directing. But I heard they were auditioning because a friend (was) in various parts.
"Early last year I had coffee with a friend who said they still wanted movement performers. So I asked for details and the next thing, my friend's agent contact me. I got the part from there.
When she glimpsed the script, Grant knew she had to be involved in the show.
"A lot of effort went into bolster myself for the audition," she said "I had to school my brain to say I was good enough, I deserve this and I'm going to get it.
"It's a hard thing to do because lots of actors are insecure but I put i a concerted effort and it apparently worked.
"It came from a casual cup of coffee and things worked out amazingly."
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child officially opened at Melbourne's Princess Theatre in February after a few weeks of previews.
Almost six months on, Grant said she and the audiences are still astounded at the magic that comes to life on stage.
"It's really hard work and all the cast and crew are tireless but at the same time it is incredibly fulfilling," she said. "Every audience has a different personality and you can hear gasps across the stage. At one point in a show recently, something happened and an audience member just said 'what?'
"What gets me astounded is I know how the tricks work and when I watch it, I can't see any of it. It's like a graceful swan paddling along and underneath the water all these things happen.
"All you see is the end result. Even when I know how it works, I can't see it (happening)."
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