Dream debut

Tell us about you – what are you passionate about in terms of your performance work?

My name is Jax Compton, a Wuthathi and Zenadth Kes woman and mum. I have been performing on and off for a long time. I have been performing cultural dance from a young age; however, my contemporary practice began at the QL2 Centre for Youth Dance in Canberra, which led to pursuing further study at NAISDA Dance College, and QUT completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Recently I completed a Master of Fine Arts – Cultural Leadership from NIDA because I’m passionate about First Peoples sharing their practices in environments that are safe and allow artists to be who they are.

What is your first memory learning or hearing about Evonne Goolagong Cawley?

I knew who Evonne was from a very young age. I started playing tennis around the age of 10 and so I knew there was someone like me that had played before. I just remember looking up to Evonne and Cathy Freeman as a kid. I loved sport and to see these super women grace their stages with pride, fills you with hope and determination.

Jax Compton with Katina Olsen in Sunshine Super Girl. Photo: Paz Tassone

What were your first thoughts when you read Andrea James’s script?

My first thoughts were ‘How am I going to do this?’ I’d never acted before joining the Sunshine Super Girl family. But I auditioned, thinking ‘Why not?’ and jumped in headfirst. Four years later I’m still here, a part of the team.

‘ We also explore Evonne’s identity and connection to who she is through movement in the play, which is a practise First Peoples have done for millennia.’

Tell us about your central character. What drives them?

The central character I play is Linda Goolagong, Evonne’s mum. She’s the matriarch of the family and holds the heart of the story throughout the play. She doesn’t know too much about tennis but only wants her children to be happy and have fun. She did everything for her children, and even made the brave decision to let Evonne move away to follow her tennis dreams. Linda is grounded in who she is, where she is from, and her loving energy is what I love about her.

Jax Compton as Linda Goolagong, Evonne's mum, with Ella Ferris in Sunshine Super Girl. Photo: Paz Tassone

Dance and choreography are important elements in the play. Why do you think dance works so well to tell Evonne’s story?

Dance is a perfect vessel to embody the grace and poise of Evonne and the way she played tennis. We also explore Evonne’s identity and connection to who she is through movement in the play, which is a practise First Peoples have done for millennia.

What resonates most for you in the play?

What resonates most is the adversities Evonne experienced to achieve her success. Despite the challenges, she fulfilled her dream and that’s really inspiring, especially for First Nations women. I’m also excited to challenge myself and explore my capabilities throughout this tour.

Jax Compton showing her tennis skills in Sunshine Super Girl. Photo: Paz Tassone

And finally, how good is your tennis game?

I’m pretty good. I’m a little bit rusty even though I played and trained for six years in my young days. I was training in the height of Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter, Martina Hingis, the beginnings of Serena and Venus, so the game (and racquets) had changed from the game played in Evonne’s era. So, a few tweaks had to be made to suit the style of the day. But I love tennis, and I’m still a big fan today.

Sunshine Super Girl is on stage until 16 December at Southbank Theatre.