It’s not many people that can say they are a ‘living doll’ but Emily Erbert can say she has been, and is one twice times over!
I spoke to the lovely Emily this week about her upcoming and first visit to Tasmania and Australia . What are some of her early perceptions about Australia? Emily is amazed at the blue skies and the beaches and plans to spend a few extra rest days in Tasmania after performances to explore.
The show is called ‘Disney Live’ and is interactive, carefully conceived to look every bit a live cartoon. The concept brings together a diverse range of Disney favourites on a talent show quest and offers the opportunity for Disney characters that are usually locked in their own particular tales to leave the pages, cross reference and mingle with other favourites, there will also be a chance for the audience, children and parents alike to take the stage.
Emily has played several characters in her time with the show such as Cinderella, Belle from ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and Drizella, one of the ugly stepsisters (who Emily thinks is great fun) but this time she plays Jessie from ‘Toy Story’.
Emily has worked hard studying Jessie’s facial expressions to reproduce them and to literally animate the delightful doll. Emily with her ballet background has also mastered the hula hoop and even given it additional dexterity using it around her waist, hands and neck in a feat of coordination.
All this coordination is due to Emily’s university degree and experience as a ballerina. having performed in ‘Coppelia’, ‘Swan Lake’, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘The Nutcracker’. The ballet of ‘Coppelia’ is the story of a mechanical doll and it seems Emily has come full circle with her playing her present role of a very different doll, in Emily’s words the ‘wild and crazy’ cowgirl Jessie.
Emily, as well as being an excellent dancer and actor, is also a strong supporter of charity her pet (pardon the pun) charity being the Humane Society for whom she does great work.
‘Disney Live’ is a very live experience for this living doll.
You can see ‘Disney Live’ at The Derwent Entertainment Centre on the 2nd and 3rd of February.
Paula Xiberras
