The Perfect Score

Probably best known for his role as Mick Holland on popular television series Offspring, Eddie Perfect has many more skills than simply acting in his armoury. He's a comedian, accomplished pianist and a songwriter. He wrote a musical about Shane Warne then moved to New York to pursue a career on Broadway, which culminated in writing the songs for two musicals. The first was King Kong and the other was Beetlejuice the Musical, which sees him back in Melbourne, playing the title role at the Regent Theatre.

Local Legend

In fact, it was far from New York where Eddie worked on Beetlejuice. “The score for Beetlejuice was mostly written in my studio out the back of my house in Brunswick,” he says. “It’s directly informed by the kind of cross-genre musical journey I’ve had.

“I’ve played music at countless bars, clubs, cafes, halls, festivals, barns, markets and street corners. Everything from jazz to classical, pop to traditional South African music, Latin, dub, funk, gospel, a cappella and heavy metal. This city has been my cultural teacher – a place that shaped my tastes and taught me to listen and collaborate.”

It certainly paid off. Eddie (and Beetlejuice) was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score in 2019.

Melbourne Magic

Eddie is a huge fan of Melbourne’s cultural life and has a few theories as to why it’s so vibrant. “There’s not much beach for distraction,” he says.

'“It’s easy to get around, its small venues promote intimacy and experimentation, and the festivals (Midsumma, Melbourne Fringe, the Comedy Festival) are artist friendly and welcoming.'

“But there’s no doubt Melbourne audiences are the best audiences. They’re smart, literate, open-minded and they’re not afraid to take a chance on sitting risky and being led to some deep and dark places.”

He’s got a long list of venues where visitors can enjoy all the arts the city has to offer. Among his favourites are: the Melbourne Theatre Company and its neighbour, the Melbourne Recital Centre; Arts Centre Melbourne, “with its famous spire”; The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia; and ACCA (Australian Centre for Contemporary Art).

The City Revealed

Like most Melbourne locals, Eddie knows the city’s best attribute can also make it tricky for visitors. “For those new to the city, Melbourne can sometimes feel a little secretive, like we’re hiding all the good stuff,” he says. “But it’s a very welcoming place once you find the right door.

'If you’re after food, coffee or a knockout pastry, it’s fun to perambulate down a lively street. Brunswick and Johnston streets in Fitzroy, Smith and Gertrude streets in Collingwood, and Chapel and Greville streets in Prahran all have a flavour of their own.'

Natural Highs

These days, Eddie tends to spend less time in bars and clubs. “I have a lovely dog to walk,” he says. Instead, he tends to head to the banks of the Yarra River, where he and his dog can follow one of the bush trails.

“There are wonderful walks 15 minutes from the city,” he continues. “Studley Park and Fairfield Boathouse are great places for a walk by the river, where you’ll see incredible birdlife and wonderful, calming nature all around. 

“A walk around the Tan track by the Royal Botanic Gardens is a swell snapshot of Melbourne’s active community, and the gardens themselves are a delight.”

+ beetlejuicethemusical.com.au