When being a triple threat isn’t enough
What does it take to make it in this industry? To sing, dance, act, direct, self produce, self finance, write your own show… the list goes on. Coming to Vaults Festival this weekend is QUADRUPLE THRE4T by Australian comedy sensation Henry Moss, which was nominated for Best Comedy at the 2019 Brighton Fringe.
“These days being a triple threat just isn't enough”, Moss laughs. I had asked what the fourth element would be, and his response was “Fitness influencer? Pole dancer? Yogi? Online therapist?”
Well he’s written this show, choreographed and produced it, and performs in it: he’s all singing, all dancing, all acting and all the laughs, making him… an octo-threat?
The show was first born in 2015, and sold out its first two shows. It’s part inspired by people he’s met and part come from his comedy web series ‘Kristal Lee Management’.
“I finally snapped, I couldn't go to one more "McLeod's Daughters" audition pretending to be straight, so I threw on some lippy and created the first version of QUADRUPLE THRE4T”, he said.
He moved to London in 2016 to follow the musical theatre dreams, and completed his Masters in Producing in 2019.
“The queer cabaret scene of East London brought me to the UK and as Jennifer Hudson says in Sex and The City The Movie "To find love... stupid right?" Moss said.
If you’re familiar with the web series, then this show will feel like 'Krystal Lee Management The Movie'. But if you've never heard of Henry or his online characters, he promises you will still find yourself bopping away to the songs and pissing yourself laughing.
“Nightmare Aussie talent agent Krystal Lee is the centre of the web series and she's an amalgamation of dance teachers, bosses and a few Real Housewives of Sydney. By following Krystal it gives me the freedom to spoof so many facets of her life; trying to make it in London, New York and sustain a marriage with her closeted husband Harry Ledgerman”.
In QUADRUPLE THRE4T Moss plays Ledgerman, a musical theatre star and national treasure who after a public mental break-down is desperate to revamp his career. He aims to promote his tell all celebrity memoir ‘Quadruple Threat’ by hosting a series of motivational workshops featuring other obnoxious guest speakers who all claim they have the secret to success. It’s a reflection on all the Australians who have made it big in the UK, which has already played to critical acclaim across the Sydney, Camden and Brighton Fringe Festivals.
“Well, I am a bit of a Self Help junky myself, I think you have to be to survive the arts? So naturally, the characters Krystal Lee and Harry Lederman are trying to stay relevant in London by launching a series of TEDx talks for artists and creatives” he said.
“I play all the obnoxious guest speakers and as it's a cabaret they all burst into song. You can expect some Britney Spears, Edith Piaf, Ray Charles, Sondheim and Shania Twain”, he said.
The show has been inspired by people he’s met and worked within musical theatre, drama school, marketing, call centres and more. It's a satire of the entertainment industry and the TEDx talk industry (both of which he loves dearly).
“I think Brits love Aussie humour, we're their crazy cousin they see once a year at Christmas. We have so much shared culture and if I'm careful with my swearing they get every single reference”, he laughed.
Don’t miss this star turn of what it takes to survive in the arts – tickets to his two night only run at Vaults: https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/mr-henry-moss-quadruple-thre4t/
Can’t catch him at Vaults? QUADRUPLE THRE4T is planned to go to Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year - keep an eye on his website for more info.
