Brady Peeti is pioneering new transgender roles in old versions of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

The cast and crew of Australian version of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Photo / Supplied

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A wahine Māori transgender actress is pioneering new territory on stage as the first trans- actress to play a leading lady in Jekyll and Hyde in Australasia.

Brady Peeti (Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Maniapoto) returned home after a month-long stint playing the role of Lucy in the production overseas.

She said that she "carried the mana of the generations before her" as she took to the Hayes Theatre stage in Sydney, Australia.

"I shouldn't be the one saying that I was the first. It should've happened decades ago, but I carry it with all the mana it deserves," Peeti told the Herald.

Peeti hopes to see changes continue within her industry as when she studied performing arts, she was taught within traditional confines, a way of thinking that she said is outdated.

"My core reason for taking the role in the first place is to ensure visibility for my community in the musical theatre industry.

"People want to see themselves."

Peeti described being both a transgender woman and a person of colour as "a struggle", but acknowledged that she makes the most of what she has.

"I walk down the street without being ridiculed, I can pursue any desired career I want to and I can love whomever I want without limitations.

"Those are absolute wins for me and my community that we've not always had."

Breaking new ground. Transgender Māori wahine Brady Peeti as Lucy in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Photo / Supplied

Hayden Tee (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa), director of Jekyll and Hyde, was influential in the groundbreaking casting of Peeti as Lucy after watching her perform at the Court Theatre in Little Shop of Horrors.

Tee said he understands the responsibility he has in terms of representation and chooses to challenge tropes and stereotypes.

"I take the casting process very seriously and inclusion is at the forefront of my approach," said Tee.

"First-round auditions are race, gender, identity and ability blind, which means that it is an open slate of opportunity for anyone of any race, gender, identity, neuro diversion or living with a disability of any kind to audition for any role they connect with."

Tee said that Peeti was "very obviously the best person" to play Lucy as she connected with the character so authentically.

"We had an open discussion with her about the implications of casting a transgender wahine person of colour in a role that includes themes of prostitution and male violence.

"As she said in that discussion, 'Lucy isn't just a profession or a victim, she is a complex character who is in a certain circumstance', it was immediately evident that we had to cast her because she resonated with Lucy."

Tee explained that his own identity was the reason he made a career change from performing to directing and in turn, ensured representation on the stage.

"I needed to place myself in a position where I could make much-needed changes in this industry and introduce people with enormous talent and ability to new audiences.

"As a proud takatāpui Māori person, I have some lived experience and strong memories of growing up in Aotearoa when it was illegal to be me," Tee said.

"I was 6 years old in 1986 when homosexuality was decriminalised and I have clear memories of the public debate surrounding this decision.

"I want to ensure children see, hear and understand that takatāpui is beautiful, that before colonisation, we were acknowledged and celebrated.

"Representation matters, opportunity matters and equality matters."

Peeti says that she hopes her art will help others break down their own limitations.

"If one transgender wahine Māori can see themselves in what I do and how I perform, then I feel like that is the biggest win.

"It would be nice to make drastic changes to the industry, however, my ultimate goal is the liberation and celebration of all trans women of colour."

Tee said Peeti was perfect in the role of Lucy, citing the rave reviews, including from English actress Emma Thompson.

He describes Peeti as a new superstar on the Australian musical theatre scene.

"It has brought me great joy, pride and accomplishment to meet Brady and is the greatest feeling allowing her to shine in her full power.

"I cannot take any credit for the genius that is Brady Peeti, I just opened a door and let her walk through."

The musical, Jekyll and Hyde is loosely based on the famous book, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, which was first published in 1886. The book has had such an impact on popular culture that the term, "Jekyll and Hyde" is often used to describe someone with a good and evil nature.

The musical was written for the stage by Frank Wildhorn and Steve Cuden in 1990.