‘Wish Me Luck, the Same to You’ - Song and Dance Man; Jack Webster - Part 1
Jack Webster figures prominently in the history of Musical Theatre in Australia. His cheeky charm and undoubted ability as a song & dance man have endeared him to audiences over several decades, in an impressive list of celebrated productions. Each has demonstrated an artist possessed of seductive powers and an innate sense of theatre. Any wonder he is considered one of our first triple-threat performers.
Jack was born in Yorkshire, England. He has danced in many British television shows with such people as Tom Jones, Cilla Black and Cliff Richard. He has danced all over Europe and appeared in television specials for Eurovision in Berlin and Amsterdam. Jack has worked with Jack Benny and Val Doonican at the London Palladium.
His West End stage experience extends to the musicals Mr & Mrs and Promises, Promises; in which he shared the stage with Betty Buckley and Donna McKechnie. Jack can also be seen in the in the film versions of Oliver! (an Oscar winner for Best Film) and Scrooge.
In 1970 he came to Australia and appeared with Jill Perryman and Johnny Lockwood in When We Are Married and with Toni Lamond in Anything Goes. Joining J.C. Williamson’s he was in the cast of No, No, Nanette and Irene. Jack has danced with Ronne Arnold’s Dance Company and worked with Carol Channing during her Australian visit in 1972.
Jack achieved considerable success with the role of Tulsa in the original Australian production of Gypsy. A role he owes to JC Williamson’s Matriarch, Betty Pounder who recognised and nurtured a talent in Jack to embrace the spotlight. Jack forged forth completing a grand list of character roles in A Chorus Line, Chicago, Annie, Dames at Sea, The Pirates of Penzance, Jolson, Funny Girl, Follies, Mary Poppins - and a show that would take him back to the West End - Hot Shoe Shuffle.
Other stage credits include; The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Run For Your Wife, Black Comedy, When We Are Married, Oh Coward! and Stepping Out. In 2003 Jack was honoured to be a guest artist with the Sydney Dance Co. in Graham Murphy's Tivoli.
Jack is a well established choreographer and his credits include The Venetian Twins, Nunsense, Annie and Jesus Christ Superstar.
It is an impressive career that Jack has navigated with style and class. He is respected, reliable and always brilliant!
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify, Apple podcasts and from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).