Glaston kicks back at home
KICKING back on the patio of his parent's house in Fernvale, Jersey Boys star Glaston Toft can just catch the glow of the bright lights of Brisbane.
Ironically, it has taken many years of hard work for the Ipswich born and bred performer to land the role which has allowed him to spend some precious down time back in his former home town.
Toft, 29, has performed more than 1000 Jersey Boys shows in front of more than 1 million people over the past three years.
Having completed sellout seasons in Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand, the show has finally arrived to a frenzied reception in Brisbane, and Toft - who plays the role of bass player Nick Massi - hasn't wasted the opportunity to relax on the family property.
"Apart from a recent trip to Melbourne, I have been here every day," Toft said.
"Yes we have a busy schedule but people talk about being show fit and I have found it is important to do different things during the day to relax.
"I have spent most of my time here just tinkering around the shed, painting some furniture and that type of thing."
It is a dramatic change of pace from the excitement going on at the Lyric Theatre, where the reception for the Jersey Boys has matched the hype that was generated down south.
It is unlikely that Toft will perform in front of a single empty seat for the entire three months that the show plays before Brisbane audiences.
Among the legions of fans are some that will travel thousands of kilometres to see the show over and over again.
"One woman came up to me in Auckland and told me that she'd seen in 53 times," Toft said.
A former Raceview State School, Bremer State High and West Moreton Anglican College student, Toft performed in SHOUT, My Fair Lady, Little Me and Camelot before scoring the role as Nick Massi.
He credited his Ipswich upbringing with giving him the drive to persevere in an extremely competitive industry.
As the only original Four Season's member to remain from the Australian production, Toft has all but made the role his own.
His voice has the depth to telecast that menacing New Jersey accent into every darkened corner of a 2000-seat theatre, and the range to provide a solid backing for the falsetto-screaming Frankie Valli.
Perhaps contributing to the conviction he shows on stage is the experience he has had with the real members of the Four Seasons.
Toft had the rare opportunity to spend time with Valli and songwriter Bob Gaudio.
"It is almost unheard of - to actually meet the people you are pretending to be - very few get that opportunity," he said. "Although Nick is not around to speak for himself, Bob and Frankie are both adamant about how influential he was."
After Brisbane, the Jersey Boys juggernaut will move on to Adelaide, before returning for another assault on Melbourne.
Toft, who has made a permanent home in the Victorian capital with his wife of two years, Amelia Christo, said he planned to stick with the hit musical.
