Rob Mills first saw Waitress The Musical within a month of its debut on Broadway and was immediately in love. A few years later he was in London and saw the musical again in the West End. His dream was to play the role of Dr Pomatter in Waitress in London’s West End.
Mills had a plan. He’d finished his acting role in Neighbours at the end of 2019 and had flown to London in 2020 with partner Georgie Tunney. Mills had lined up an agent and had started conversations about the role. And then COVID changed everything, and as he said, “the timing just didn’t work out.”
After wanting to do this role for more than six years, things have now finally worked out for Rob Mills. He will take on his dream role as Dr Pomatter in the Australian premiere of Waitress, opening at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne’s East End Theatre District in May.
Rob Mills first rose to fame after placing fifth in the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. In a story that sounds very similar, Mills had seen WICKED in London’s West End and decided he wanted to do this show. He was cast as Fiyero in the Australian premiere of WICKED in 2008. This debut musical theatre role turned into a lifelong love of musical theatre with roles in Ghost, Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Chess and & Juliet.
While Mills felt Fiyero was a role he was born to play, taking on the role of Dr Pomatter is quite different. Rob Mills feels he is now old enough and mature enough to take on the subtleties and nuances in the role.
“The subtleties and nuances in – dare I say – the cheating,” said Mills. “There’s a lot more that goes on in relationships than just full-blown cheating. It’s more to do with the reasons behind it.”
Dr Pomatter is a role Rob Mills has been desperate to play for many years now. I asked him what drew him to this character.
“I think there is something that happens to a lot of blokes who lose sight of who they are. I think in the stories about
Jenna sort of losing touch of who she is and what she wants, I think the same thing happens to Dr. Pomatter as well. And that’s why they connect. They bring out the best in each other.”
Apart from his musical theatre, television and film work, Rob Mills has also authored a book, exploring what it means to be an Aussie male titled, Putting On A Show – Manhood, Mates and Mental Health. The research into writing this book has also given Mills some insight into the character of Dr Pomatter – a man losing sight of what he’s doing, chasing financial gains, doing what his partner wants, but questioning what he really wants himself.
“And he’s like, actually, what do I want? What’s the inner child in me still craving? Never lose sight of that. So I think that really resonates with me as the inner child, or just maybe the Peter Pan in me. Maybe that resonates with me.”
Writing the book and exploring the concept of masculinity in today’s world, also encourages Rob Mills to go a little deeper and broader into the role of Dr Pomatter.
“Just knowing a bit more, um, EQ as they call it,” laughed Mills.
In Waitress The Musical, Rob Mills will play opposite Natalie Bassingthwaighte, who takes on the role of Jenna. Mills and Bassingthwaighte worked together during Chess. He also saw her perform in Jagged Little Pill.
“She’s an incredible, incredible actress. A lot of people know Nat as the sort of rock star front woman, but she’s also a very kind, generous and an incredibly hardworking actor. She puts her whole heart and soul. I remember watching Chess from side stage every night, just her pure heart every single night. So I think, people are going to be blown away.”
Rob Mills and Natalie Bassingthwaighte have more things in common than just appearing in musicals together. Both have appeared on seasons of The Amazing Race, with Bassingthwaighte also appearing on the lastest season of SAS. I asked Mills if there was a limit?
“There’s no limit to any work that Nat and I won’t do. We will do any show that comes up. I’ve done Amazing Race, if SAS called, I’d be like, I’m in,” he laughed.
I warned him to be careful what he wished for!
He explained each time it’s the job that gets you to the next job.
“I try and be a little bit picky, but usually I just try and pick things that I think I’ll have fun at. Yeah. Amazing Race, definitely. Dancing with the Stars, definitely. I don’t know about getting punched in the face though (SAS). I think there is some limits!”
It’s been a while since Rob Mills has been on stage and I asked him if doing eight shows a week was easier or harder than doing the fast paced grueling reality shows?
“I think it’s just different. I think I was, to be honest, I think I was actually a little a bit burnt out from doing the eight shows a week. I’ve had a really lovely year and a half off. I shouldn’t say off. I’ve still been gigging and stuff, but like not having to be so present and give my absolute heart and soul every single day. It’s been nice to just do the gigs on the weekends, where you have some more time with your friends and family, but this is a great, I think I wouldn’t audition for anything else. I just love Waitress so much”
In fact, Rob Mills hadn’t auditioned for anything else for two years.
“Just because I’m like, nah, that doesn’t fit me. Or that doesn’t work. Or I know I won’t be able to put my heart and soul into it. Whereas this one, Waitress, I’m like, no, I’m ready!”
#WaitressAu @WaitressAu
MELBOURNE SEASON DETAILS
Venue Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season From 1 May
Performance Times Tue-Thurs at 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm, 3pm or 6pm (performance times vary each week)
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: waitressthemusical.com.au or phone 13 28 49
Groups 8+ call (03) 9662 9571
SYDNEY SEASON DETAILS
Venue Sydney Lyric Theatre
Season From 1 August
Performance Times Tue-Thurs at 7pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm, 3pm or 6pm (performance times vary each week)
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: waitressthemusical.com.au or 136 100
Groups 8+ email groups@ticketmaster.com.au
