Recently Café de Jenkster went

Recently Café de Jenkster went to the home of Kris Jenkins, who is currently starring in a musical version of His Own Life. In his most candid interview to date, Kris talked to us about work, love, and teacups...

CdJ: So Kris, we've not heard much from you lately - what's been happening in your life?
KJ: Well, it's been a mixed bag. Obviously I've been training my voice a lot, getting myself in better shape emotionally and, I must admit, trying to learn how to work a crowd -
CdJ: - In preparation for the musical?
KJ: Yes. But also for myself. I'm taking this role very seriously; I really feel that for a project like this one, there are no rehearsals. So I'm trying to be at my best for it. And at the same time I want to keep the energy & enthusiasm. I'm trying to have fun, be playful, but still take it seriously.
CdJ: Does that put a lot of pressure on you?
KJ: Kind of. I mean, the pressure comes and goes in waves. We've been in prep for the full show for a long time now, and there are times when I feel under terrible pressure to shine, to be the star in the show. But that kind of pressure very quickly catches up on you, you know? It saps your energy. So then I have to ease back, take life as it comes. More and more I try to let inspiration come to me in its own way.
CdJ: Interesting. Do you think that inspiration comes like that? You don't think you need to sweat for it?
KJ: <laughs> No, sweating's not really my style. It's a case of ebb and flow. I can push for inspiration, but it comes out forced, a little too clever-clever, y'know? On the other hand, I can get too laid back, "Waiting for the train that never comes". Effort or acceptance? I think that dichotomy is probably my biggest challenge at the moment.
CdJ: In the musical?
KJ: In the musical. In life. It's all the same thing.

CdJ: Tell us about your current co-star, Fran Merivale.
KJ: Ah, Fran, she's great. Such a fiesty, talented character. She's brought so much to the production, especially in artistic terms.
CdJ: How so?
KJ: Well, she's been involved in just about every aspect of the production - costumes, choreography, getting the whole atmosphere...breathing, y'know? She's even written some of the songs -
CdJ: - Really? Which ones?
KJ: Well for a start she wrote the theme song for her character - the eponymous, "Fran Merivale! Fran Merivale!" And she also worked out all the tunes for the sub-plot involving Pooh Bear & Friends. The productions taken on a different tone since she came on board.
CdJ: So you've enjoyed working with her?
KJ: Tremendously. She's open my eyes to some of the directions we can take this musical.

CdJ: I hear that in addition to acting, you've also started working on a novel?
KJ: <grins> Yeah, but only recently. I was thinking about how we could develop the musical. I wanted to work in a sub-plot about my character becoming a writer; it starts out as his flight of facy, and ends up as a way of expressing himself to the rest of the world. I thought the best way to make that seem realisitc, was to begin writing myself, y'know?
CdJ: How have you found it? Do you take naturally to being a writer?
KJ: Hmm. Naturally? No. The material's all in there, but it's a question of how to get it to come out.
CdJ: The ebb and flow, again?
KJ: Exactly. I have plenty of ideas, and generally they come out well. On good days I get carried away on a tide of feeling - that's the reward for writing - it's magical! But when I go back to a story to polish it up, it seems to crumble away in my hands.
CdJ: So the difficulty is in keeping that flow going?
KJ: No, I think it's more about getting that flow to solidify, without becoming something heavy and dead. How do you dam a river without making it stagnate? How do you capture a bird without trapping it?
CdJ: Quite. So can we expect the novel out any time soon?
KJ: Ah, there's a question...I'd love to say yes, but in all honesty don't think this path is going to be a fast one.

CdJ: You talk a lot about flows and paths. Do you believe in destiny? Is the universe looking out for Kris Jenkins?
KJ: I hope so! I do believe that God is watching me. That He's both infinite and yet still remains personal. But there's still that question of how much He guides us, and how much he leaves us to find our own way home. Every now and then, I still glance at my teacup, to see if He's left me a message in the leaves.
CdJ: Has he?
KJ: Only that there's more in the pot, if I want it.

CdJ: Kris, thanks very much.
KJ: It's been my pleasure.