Geelong’s Bert LaBonte leaves fans smiling in productions around the world. NOEL MURPHY meets a hidden treasure of the region’s deep talent pool.

FEW performers have stars like Marina Prior or David Campbell singing their praises but it’s all in a day’s work for Geelong actor, singer and comic Bert LaBonte.

LaBonte is one of those rare artists always in work, touch wood. Which all has plenty to do with his reserves of talent, of course, but it’s also result of a certain magnetism, an on-stage charisma, that leaves even colleagues slack-jawed.

Whether singing as Marvin Gaye or Nat King Cole, playing Richmond in Shakespeare’s Richard III, a rapper in the play Spelling Bee, a black American in Clybourne Park – even fronting Geelong eight-piece rock band Madhouse – Labonte is presence personified.

Campbell, a stage mate in Spelling Bee, has a telling take on the 39-year-old’s ability.

“People can’t seem to take their eyes off him when he’s on stage,” Campbell was quoted recently.

For the full story pick up the latest Geelong Coast Magazine – in newsagents now.

Torquay actress Amy Price tells JOHN VAN KLAVEREN about her role in new independent Hollywood film Turnpike Gypsies and her burgeoning collaboration with master producer David Faigenblum.

WHERE DID THE PERFORMING BUG COME FROM?

It must have been early because a little while ago my mum found where I had written ‘I want to be an actress’ in grade five.

But it was at 16 when I saw Sunset Boulevard with Hugh Jackman and it opened my eyes to what I could do. I recalled it one day when I was driving past Paramount Studios where it was originally set.

It felt a bit weird because I never thought I’d be driving past Paramount Studios.

HAS YOUR FAMILY EMBRACED YOUR ACTING DREAM?

Mum was into music and when I was young I performed in church cabarets and school concerts. It was just part of family life.

I’ve been on stage from a young age, so I never suffered stage fright. I never lacked confidence at school – I was always playing the funny girl.

I consider myself a comedic actor, that’s my strength. It comes from my dad, he likes physical comedy, pulling faces and poses, mucking around.

My mum and older brother Leigh and younger sister Jacqueline have a drier sense of humour.

I always liked doing improv at school. I like making people laugh, being stupid, I have no fear of looking silly.

WHAT OTHER JOBS HAVE YOU HAD?

I lived in Japan for two years working as a translator. I wanted to work for the United Nations but when my contract was up I had to decide whether to stay on or come home. I knew I wanted to do acting so I bit the bullet and came home.

I worked as a PA at West Carr and Harvey. They were great. I’d waltz in and say, ‘I can’t work tomorrow because I have an audition’. I was always running up to Melbourne for auditions.

I worked as a court reporter or stenographer for a private contractor, which was interesting.

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HOW THEY MET:
“We first met 12 years ago when we worked together in part-time jobs we had through high school,” Kristen recalls.
She and Tim then went separate ways for about six years before meeting up again in a Geelong bar.
“Then Tim asked me to go on a date a few weeks later.”

WHERE THEY LIVED, AND NOW:
“I was living in Melbourne, where I was studying when we first got together, and Tim lived in Geelong. We moved in together a few months before our engagement once I started work in Geelong.”
The cohabitation obviously worked out well.
“We’re still in the same house in Herne Hill, which we’re gradually renovating,” Kristen says.

THE PROPOSAL:
“Tim proposed on Breamlea’s beach on the second of February 2013 when we were walking our new puppy one Saturday afternoon. He got down on one knee and then a big wave came in and soaked us,” Kristen laughs.
They shared the rest of the afternoon drinking champagne with family before an intimate dinner for two at Gladioli.

THE ENGAGEMENT:
Tim and Kristen’s friends organised a celebration.
“We decided not to have an engagement party,” Kristen says, “but were delighted when our friends organised a surprise dinner with our closest of friends.”

For the full story, pick up the latest Geelong Coast Magazine – in newsagents now.