Jayme-lee Hanekom || The Lovers Musical

The Fame Reporter interviewed performer, Jayme-Lee she is currently starring as Puck in the spectacular new Australian musical, The Lovers, with music by home-grown talent Laura Murphy presented by Shake & Stir Theatre Co, playing at Playhouse, QPAC, Brisbane now playing until 5 October.

Based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Featuring an electrifyingly original pop score and a boldly reimagined script by Laura Murphy, The Lovers is a fresh, in-yer-face remix of A Midsummer Night’s Dream – bursting with heart, humour, and more than a touch of magic.

For centuries, Oberon and Puck have been the ultimate matchmakers, crafting perfect love stories. But in a world where romance is a chaotic mix of swipes, situationships, and ghosting – Oberon worries that true love is becoming extinct. Just when all hope seems lost, four young lovers cross their path – ready for a night they’ll never forget.

Directed by Nick Skubij (Frankenstein, Fourteen), this brand-new, high-energy musical by Shake & Stir Theatre Co blends a killer soundtrack, a phenomenal live band, innovative video design, and a breath-taking cast. Get set for a totally modern love story – where nothing goes as planned, but everything happens for a reason. It’s a contemporary mix tape of pop bangers presented on a Shakespearean scale.

We talked to Jayme-Lee Hanekom about what she loves about starring in an original Australian Musical, being part of reimagining a classic Shakespeare story for a modern audience, reflecting on her past works, her dream role and more.

Congratulations on joining The Lovers! What excites you most about taking on the role of Puck in this fresh, pop-infused take on Shakespeare?
Thank you! Honestly I’m so excited for the opportunity to bring this unique, loveable, relatable character to life and hopefully bring some joy to people.

Puck is such a mischievous and iconic character in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. How are you approaching this role in a contemporary musical setting?
I’m trying to make them as relatable as possible.

Love is something we all experience and crave, and Puck is no different.

I’m bringing them into the 20th century which is so fun.

Laura Murphy has created an original Australian musical with a modern sound—what has it been like working on brand-new material and bringing these “killer songs” to life for the first time?
I was fortunate enough to watch the first production and I fell in love with the music and the writing first.

I am a HUGE fan of Laura and it really is a bucket list, dream come true moment being able to sing her music.

Shake & Stir Theatre Co are known for their bold, imaginative productions. What has the rehearsal process been like with them, especially in reimagining such a classic story?
There isn’t a day where my jaw doesn’t drop to the floor! The creativity and talent that is in the room is unbelievable, and it truly feels like there is no limit to what we can do.

I cannot wait for everyone to see the amount of love and fun that is being put into this. I have a new appreciation and understanding of the story now.

You’ve played such a wide range of characters, from Celie in The Color Purple to Reno in Dusty, and even Tina Turner understudy in TINA. How do you think those past experiences have shaped the way you’re stepping into Puck?
I love drawing on experience for roles and finding a little bit of me in each of them. Those roles all changed and each has given me tools for the one that followed.

I’m taking patience, understanding and freedom into this role and it’s just so much fun.

You started your career as Young Nala in The Lion King. Looking back, what do you think your younger self would say seeing you take on roles like Puck now?
My younger self just wouldn’t believe that I still get to do this! Play dress up and make people feel something, even for a short moment. She’d be very very impressed with the incredible costumes I get to wear in this one!

The Lovers combines Shakespeare’s poetry with a pop-musical twist—how do you balance honouring the original text while making it accessible and exciting for modern audiences?
I’m learning that the most important thing is making it easy to understand, listen to and relate to. Which has been a lot of work for me, cause I previously haven’t had much experience with it.

It’s all about understanding how they felt back then and relaying it to today’s world. Which isn’t all that different.

You were nominated for a Green Room Award for The Color Purple—what did that recognition mean to you at that point in your career?
I was just a little baby, still hoping and praying that I’d make it in the industry. It really just gave me hope that it’s possible and solidified that I was on the right path.

What has been one of your proudest or most memorable moments in rehearsals so far?
It’s rare that you get to have the writer in the room with you during rehearsals.

We were lucky enough to have Laura, the playwright there for a short time, and hearing her inspirations, reasonings, motives and emotions behind her writing was an experience I will never forget or take for granted.

From Disney classics to new Australian works, you’ve performed in a wide variety of shows. Do you find yourself more drawn to original musicals like The Lovers, or to reimagining well-loved classics?
This is the first time I’ve done a new Australian piece of work and it’s really taken me out of my comfort zone. I love doing the well loved classics, but there’s nothing like being able to use your creativity like this.

There’s no limits or confinements, it’s just fun with so much freedom and craziness.

What do you hope audiences take away from The Lovers when they see it at Brisbane Festival?
Everyone just wants to be loved. There are so many ways to love and be loved and hopefully it helps change peoples perspectives.

Rapid Fire

Puck is known for being cheeky—what’s the cheekiest thing you’ve ever done on stage?
Falling over in a coffee cup and having to be rescued by a dancing devil.

If you could swap roles with another cast member in The Lovers for a night, who would it be and why?
Loren Hunter, Hermia is a monster of a role and I would LOVE to sing those songs

Causes you’re passionate about?
Kindness

Dream role you haven’t played yet?
Glinda

Favourite Shakespeare character besides Puck?
Hermia

Do you have a favourite scene or moment in the production?
Revolve choreography is all I’m gonna say

If The Lovers was a Spotify playlist, which three songs (outside of the show) would definitely be on it?
Super Bass – Nicky Minaj
Agony – Into the Woods
Anxiety – Doechii

First show or film you saw that made you want to perform?
The Lion King

One word to describe The Lovers?
Unmissable