WHEN the curtain rose at Her Majesty’s Theatre on opening night of the Melbourne season of An Inspector Calls, a young man found himself alone on stage in front of an audience of celebrities and theatre critics.
But that didn’t faze 10yearold Berwick boy Brent FishmanFerber, who was making his debut appearance in English director Stephen Daldry’s production of the J.B. Priestley play.
This aspiring young thespian carried his role with a maturity and ability that belied his experience.
Brent was chosen from about 50 hopeful young children for the part.
“It was my first ever audition and my dad kept telling me not to get my hopes too high for the first time, so that I wouldn’t be too disappointed if I missed out,” he said.
“When I was offered the part, we couldn’t believe it.
“I’m not sure who was more excited.”
The play is set in the era of World War I and Brent plays the role of the Inspector as a young boy, and for authenticity had to have his hair cut in the short back and sides style of the era.
“I didn’t like it at first, but you could say it’s grown on me,” he said with a cheeky grin.
When asked about how he felt on opening night, Brent said he was nervous at first, but said the British cast was really helpful.
“Pip Donaghy, who plays the Inspector, has been great fun to work with,” he said.
“I really admire him as an actor and now as a friend.”
At the opening night party, Brent became a celebrity himself when he met some of the stars of the entertainment world.
“Mal Walden asked me for my autograph and Rhonda Birchmore asked to meet me, which was pretty cool.”
And the youngster now has a new ambition in life.
“I’d really love to do more acting, perhaps a part in a movie,” he said.
As for this experience, Brent said “the best part was being on stage, but the worst part was missing my friend’s birthday party”.