A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

Mitchell Jeffreys and Kempton Maloney share the role of Chip in Beauty and the Beast.

With several performances of Beauty and the Beast already under their belts, Mitchell Jeffreys and Kempton Maloney are feeling well and truly at home on the stage of the Playhouse Theatre. These two young talented actors are currently alternating performances in the role of Chip, the young teacup trapped inside the enchanted castle, in Footlight Productions’ latest offering for Geelong audiences.
Fresh from his first weekend of performances, Mitchell is thrilled with how the show has been going thus far.
“It’s been so much fun,” he said. “Everything has gone so well; I haven’t messed anything up.”
Kempton has already played leading roles in recent productions of Oliver and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, however this marks the Mitchell’s first leading performance.
“It’s pretty great being a lead,” said Mitchell. “It’s a first for me. I’m learning lots.”
Mitchell and Kempton both highlight the elaborate ‘Be Our Guest’ sequence as their favourite part of the musical, and also boast of the intricate detail of their costume. They are relishing the opportunity to learn from their more senior cast-mates, especially their stage mother Emma Clair Ford in the role of Mrs Potts.
Both Mitchell and Kempton attend school in the local Geelong area. Mitchell is in the third grade at Leopold Primary School where he participates in performing arts classes. Kempton is in the fourth grade at Geelong Grammar, where he is an enthusiastic music student, having already learned to play piano, cello and drums.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Footlight, I absolutely love the cast and the crew,” said Kempton.
“Our director Alister Smith and choreographer Lochlan Erard are so great to work with. It was so
much fun moving out of the rehearsal room and into the theatre, and getting to sing with the orchestra and be guided by our amazing musical director John Shawcross.”
Mitchell and Kempton are keen to continue performing and developing their craft. Whilst Mitchell is yet to determine his dream musical theatre role, Kempton already pinpoints Kinky Boots and Priscilla as two shows on his bucket list.
Peter Wills, producer of Beauty and the Beast and founder of Footlight Productions, says the two boys have been a wonderful addition to the Footlight family.
“Both Mitchell and Kempton have been an absolute delight to work with,” said Peter. “They have
worked extremely hard and are very eager to learn. I look forward to watching them grow as
performers in the future.”
To see Beauty and the Beast in its final week of performance, contact the GPAC Box Office on (03) 5225 1200 or visit gpac.org.au

Mitchell and Kempton were interviewed by Jacob Petkovic, a member of the Footlight Productions marketing team.