By Casey Neill
AN UPWEY six-year-old has landed a lead role in a major opera with his first audition.
Jordan Kade will star as Sorrow in Opera Australia’s latest production of the Puccini classic Madama Butterfly at Melbourne’s Arts Centre until 13 December.
Jordan and his sister, Indianna, 4, began weekly acting classes in Doncaster earlier this year.
Jordan auditioned for the role four weeks ago and told his mother, Tania, he knew the part was his.
“He got in the car after the audition and told me he got it,” she said. “He said, ‘I just know I did a really good job, Mum’.”
She said her son was fairly introverted, but shone on the audition stage. “I thought he had a shot,” she said.
Jordan wasn’t scared about acting in front of hundreds of people, but was “a little bit nervous’’ and excited.
“I’m acting,” Jordan proudly told the Mail.
He said it was tricky to remember everything he needed to do, but he was having fun.
“He does a really good job, and I’m not just saying that,” Tania said.
His favourite part of the role?
“When I splash the water in (Cio-Cio San’s friend) Suzuki’s face,” he said.
The two-and-a-half-hour, 10-show production opened on 11 November.
Nicole Youl has the title role of Cio-Cio-San and Rosario La Spina plays American soldier Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton.
Cio-Cio-San is just 15 when the visiting Pinkerton acquires her as his bride. But, within a year Pinkerton is gone. He promises to return, and Madama Butterfly knows in her heart that one day he will.
Tania said the other cast members had taken Jordan under their wing.
“I think when it’s your first experience it’s good to have that,” she said. “It’s just magic. I’m going to be devastated when it’s all over.”
Tania enrolled Jordan in acting classes to help him gain confidence, but he now aspires to star in Hollywood blockbusters.
The prep student has missed some school because of the role, but Tania said Ferntree Gully’s Saint John The Baptist Primary School had been supportive.
On performance nights, Tania picks Jordan up at midday so he can go home and sleep to prepare for the late night ahead.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” she said. “It’s not more important than school, but as long as he does his reading at home he’ll keep up.”
Jordan will star in 7.30pm performances on 26 November and 4, 6, 9 and 13 December and a 1pm matinee on 29 November. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster, the Arts Centre Box Office or www.opera-australia.org.au.
