This Wasn’t the Plan

Putting your life story on stage is an act of bravery, especially for theatrical performers who are often riddled with self-doubt. So, for Glenn Horsfall to present his journey of personal growth is a daring feat of vulnerability in the intimate, overheated space of Thistle Hall.

Unlike many in the opening-night audience, I don’t know Horsfall personally. Having witnessed his recent performances and lush baritone voice in Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Into the Woods, and End of the Rainbow, I was keen to meet the man behind the voice.

Horsfall takes his audience with him on a sometimes-heartbreaking voyage of discovery from early years schooling in Christchurch where he thrived as “the Patty Simcox of intermediate”, excelling as the only boy playing netball. For this, he featured on the front page of the local paper and was interviewed for Paul Holmes on TVNZ. Sadly, that clip resurfaced during his tough years at Christchurch Boys’ High School and led to bullying and self-destructive behaviour that persisted into adulthood.

Behind Horsfall is a moving collage of personal photos (design by Scott Maxim) that illustrate and highlight moments in his life and add depth to the storytelling. Anecdotes from his work as a cruise ship entertainer, then playing a wheelchair-bound dog in a shopping-mall kids’ show, and learning tricky choreography at ‘cat school’ pepper his tales with endearing and self-deprecating humour.

Also interspersed with the narrative are 10 well-chosen songs from a variety of musicals that echo the emotions at key points in Horsfall’s story, excellently arranged and accompanied by Hayden Taylor. Horsfall’s vocal performances are stunning and he really hits his stride with the fourth number, Waving Through a Window from Dear Evan Hansen, which particularly suits his singing style.

This might not have been the plan but it’s nevertheless a privilege to share in the life of a singular talent.