From Emmanuel

01 March 2010

Welcome to my virtual “home” – my artist’s space!

I guess for me it all started with a performance by Andrew Buckland and Lionel Newton in Bloodstream. I was inspired and energized and found my calling. So after dabbling in school productions I went off to uni to study drama. It was hard work and long hours but at the same time it was an exciting time imbued with a sense of freedom and exploration. After graduation I moved naturally and easily into musical theatre and other stage roles around the country. Then came my big break – Isidingo. Til today (and I have been off Isidingo for more than 3 years) people call me Steve when they see me. In between filming I did stage productions – a lot of them supper club shows (Doowah Boys etc). During this time I cemented my love for the rat pack and jazz. I established a band – Emmanuel and then some. We played at functions, did some swing shows and had a regular gig in Melville.

After Isidingo I moved onto some other shows – One Way and Snitch – but the next real break came with Erfsondes. Between season 1 and 2 of Erfsondes I took the bold step and committed to a music album South of Nowhere. I say bold because I was not known as a musician and people had long forgotten my musical theatre performances (Rocky, Grease, Cinders and Her Fella). I started writing music, went back to the piano and recommitted to guitar. And then came Scandal! and with it the golden opportunity to sing my music on television.

I seem to have missed out Strictly Come Dancing and the well-loved Pirates of the Carribean number. Chronologically it fits somewhere between Erfsondes and the music album. As experiences go I recommend it highly. I thought I would be developing another skill. And I did. What I hadn’t contemplated was that it would bring me back to my time of exploration and I would learn about myself all over again. I am truly passionate about my art. I aspire to be good because that is how I honour you. I hope that each time you see me on the telly or on the stage you are transported and that my love for what I do touches you.

Emmanuel