Jude Bowler
When performing artist Jude Bowler found herself between gigs, she saved her career by summoning multiple personalities
By Andrew Georgiou
Character actor, physical performer, writer, comedienne, and damn nice gal - Jude Bowler's creative CV needs to be zip filed before being emailed. She earned her stripes in the army but this self-confessed ‘expressive child' has navigated her way with stints in short films and stand up comedy, taking work where she could get it - showgirl and European street theatre included. Like a hybrid of Ellen Degeneres and Catherine Tate, this Jude of all trades and mistress of many has made her biggest mark as a professional schizophrenic. Her multiple personalities include Waylene Thrushcutter, the butch security guard; Opal the ex-pat Dallas Cowboys cheerleader sleeping her way across Texas; and Pat Flick, cinema owner.
Bowler, a 39-year-old country girl, began her character work ten years ago at the suggestion of UK character comedian Chris Green. Bowler and Green first met at 1998's Mardi Gras when Tina C, one of Green's alter egos, opened for Joan Rivers and Sandra Bernhard. As the Festival Club's director, Bowler introduced Tina C prior to her shows. "Chris wanted something unique, and asked if I would pose as Tina's security guard and introduce her that way," says Bowler. "He gave me this brief of what he wanted. If it wasn't that I truly respected him, there was no fucking way I would have done it - it was all too close to home."
Creating alter ego Waylene was almost therapy. "Waylene is totally the girl I dreaded I'd grow up to be. She's ex-army, quite butch and ends up falling in love with everybody but having a relationship with nobody."
It wasn't long before Bowler gave birth to another character, a buxom, ex-pat Aussie named Opal, trying to make it big in the US.
"She's a self-made B-grade celebrity with her own range of pole dancing fitness videos called Opal-lates. After refusing to go the whole hog as a lap dancer in Vegas, Opal was discovered by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleading scout."
Bowler has taken Opal and Waylene on the road with shows and corporate functions. "It's no easy gig. I've had to impersonate a security guard and a slut to stay in work."
Away from the stage, Bowler and partner, singer Ali Hughes, are committed to the development of great Aussie talent. On their acreage in Mudgee, Verandah, the talented pair are developing a creative workshop space for hire. While many retreats are geared for writers, Verandah provides creative space for all.
"Inspiration and income are always at odds. Verandah is a way for me to keep going, and as Opal says,‘It's twice the pleasure if you share the treasure!'"
More on Jude Bowler