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FEATURE MOVIE

Parton,” she laughs. Boylan recalls the moment she discovered Dolly, when her mother introduced her to the movie Steel Magnolias . “That film really resonated with me as a kid and I loved all of those different actors and different

characters. And there was Dolly being her sweet self, kind of pulling everyone together. “The more I looked into her, the more I realised that she does that with every aspect of her life. She’s such a champion on business and creativity and generosity, and humour. So yeah, I adore that lady!” Daniel Webber's Kenny is something of an enigma in that he never breaks character, even during moments alone. “I wondered early on if he was a little bit mad,” Webber says. “And I asked myself the question, ‘What has driven him to this place?’ It's partly in the script, but I had to create a backstory for him, which had him as a child with a troubled past, who has a need for control. “I think that the real Kenny Rogers

FUN FACTS Dolly Parton

gave the movie her blessing and support after Rose Byrne provided a script to Parton’s manager. Gracie Otto, the daughter of renowned Aussie actor Barry Otto and half-sister to Miranda Otto, makes her narrative-feature directing debut with Seriously Red . Islands in the Stream , Dolly Parton’s duet with Kenny Rogers, was ranked the number one duet of all time on CMT’s 100 Greatest Country Duets.

STACK caught up with Aussie stars Krew Boylan and Daniel Webber to discuss their homegrown comedy, Seriously Red . Words Glenn Cochrane S eriously Red is the irresistible new Aussie comedy about a woman who finds her place in the world, hidden Hello , DOLLY

epitomised something for the impersonator about how to be a man, and was kind of like a father figure and brother to him all at once,” he adds. “And of course he discovered that this was a way that he could find success and love, and it was a new identity that worked for him.” Seriously Red also features an impressive supporting ensemble including Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Celeste Barber, and Jean Kittson. “It's a dream cast, and most people were ready to jump onboard. There were only a few characters that we actually had to put out the audition casting net for,” says Boylan.

behind the big wigs of Dolly Parton. Cut from the same fabric as Muriel's Wedding , this riotous movie tells the story of Red (played by Krew Boylan, who also wrote the script), a woman whose life isn't going in the direction she planned. When an opportunity to step into the world of celebrity impersonators presents itself, she takes the bull by the horns and embarks on a globetrotting journey as Dolly Parton, alongside a mysterious man (Daniel Webber) whose own identity has been devoured by his Kenny Rogers persona. “I had been writing this movie for so many years,” Boylan tells STACK . “I really started writing it to try and figure out my desire for success; I was just wanting to

Jean Kittson and Krew Boylan

be a bit more successful than I felt like I was. “My dad was always championing his daughters to go out and get what they want, and have success, and have drive. And I quickly realised that what success looked like to me was Dolly

And with local comedy legend Jean Kittson playing Red’s mum, Viv, we have to ask if she’s as outrageous and hilarious in person as we hope she is? “She is a bucket of joy,” confirms Boylan. “She's so full of energy and offers up so many variations of her performance. Yeah, what a national treasure.”

• Seriously Red is out on Feb 1

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