Anita Louise Combe, who is starring in the role of Cassie in A Chorus Line, is at the peak of her career, so much so that she can command her own public with solo shows, which she has performed around the world.
As a child growing up in Adelaide, she wanted to be a ballet dancer, and trained with Gwen Mackay and Jennifer Pollard, but she later expanded her ambitions to include singing and musical theatre. Since her debut as Sillibub in Cats in 1985, she has performed in theatre, film and television and made several recordings. She is one of the few people in the world to date who has played both roles of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in the production of Chicago in the West End. Anita created the role of Stephanie Mangano in the world premiere production of Saturday Night Fever opposite fellow Australian, Adam Garcia, and produced by Adelaide born Robert Stigwood.
What is her advice to young people aiming for a similarly fulfilling career?
"I do say to young people, be realistic about what you can and can’t do," she says. "Obviously go for your goals, but take a hard look at your strengths and weaknesses, by all means improve your weaknesses but take advantage of your assets.
“I’m a great stickler for working hard, this whole generation of celebrity culture, getting on the X Factor and thingks like that – it’s fine, but it’s not real. It’s not a realistic view of the industry, not if you want longevity and to become a fully fledged performers.
“Sometimes the best thing about becoming a performer is the hard knocks, working in the ensemble and working your way up to get that role rather than becoming an overnight sensation and not knowing what it’s like to work your way up.”
Read more words of wisdom from Anita Louise
Combe in the April/May issue of 'Dance Australia'.
'A Chorus Line' opens in Sydney in July.