'I think I actually broke down in tears," says bubbly Australian musician Brendan Maclean, as he recalls getting the news that he'd won a role in The Great Gatsby.
The flamboyant singer songwriter who has made a name for himself across the ditch with entertaining YouTube clips, and a stint as a radio J host, is clearly very grateful for the opportunity Baz Luhrmann gave him to play the role of Klipspringer, the splashy pianist who entertains Gatsby's many guests.
"I was very lucky that my first major acting role involved me doing what I love best, playing music. It was great. Baz had a piano on set, so I was playing away all the time, and they'd have to keep telling me to be quiet. But it was a joy."
That it was a film with visual aspirations not dissimilar to Maclean's own colourful style also helped. "It was totally my aesthetic. Perhaps because I grew up watching his films, I took it on board. But I play my own songs in pretty normal venues mostly, not theatres. I don't call myself cabaret, but I like to bring some of those elements into the show, and I like to create something larger than just me for the audience."
Indeed if you check out his YouTube channel and you'll note the effort that has gone into setting and costumes.
