Benhur Helwend will be back to perform for his second time at Slide's upcoming 'Covergirl' event.
Benhur played in the first 'Covergirl' show back in 2013, a show that included a wide selection of performers taking on Kylie Minogue songs in creative and exuberant ways. “It certainly was an easy decision to come back to it. It's an audience that just laps it up,” Benhur says. “I had to miss out on the last two, due to other projects I was committed to. They were two performers I would have really loved to have covered.” The two performers featured were Dolly Parton, and Whitney Houston.
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This time around, Benhur will be up for the challenge of covering Queen Bey. His song selection process is often a straightforward one. “Something simple, something with good lyrics, something that everyone can relate to.”
“Beyoncé will be challenging. I've picked a song that is written by Sia, as I wanted to have an Australian connection to the particular song I'm singing.”
Benhur is accustomed to tapping into Australian culture in his art. He recently played the lead role in the play 'Bastard Territory', a Queensland Theatre Company production about a man from Papua New Guinea living in the Northern Territory who, after a series of events, is confronted with his past, and questions of identity. “As a non-caucasian actor in Australia, it was very rare to have the opportunity to play a lead role in an Australian play,” Benhur says. “It was great experience to say the least, to tell a great Australian story.”
Having grown up in the Northern Territory, Benhur was connected to the story from the beginning.
“There certainly was a small window of opportunity, but growing up in any small town you want to leave and put that side behind you. The Territory is such a diverse culture of creatives. The scene is incredible now in terms of acting and performing. Back in those days it was a bit difficult, but having the skill-sets I have now, I can certainly go back and work there.”
Benhur has always possessed a desire to be creative. “I would always tell myself I wanted to be an actor. I went down this path and found myself moving down other directions that all creatively stem from the foundations of what acting is all about.”
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His skills in a variety of art forms has led to a new creative project in its early stages. “I've just been tossing up some ideas with another playwright, a friend of mine in Melbourne, who is keen to collaborate on a show about my father's history. We're trying to combine those skills that I have into a one-man show.”
After being involved in bands and collaborations, the artist is also enjoying being able to perform on his own. His performances comprise of a ukelele, a loop-station, and a very unique voice. “It's pretty confronting, not having the kind of support that you would have with a group of people. It's challenging, but it's nice to expose your soul to everyone.”
Benhur is not only excited to play 'Covergirl' once again, but to see his old friend Jeremy Brennan, the music producer for Slide, and 'Covergirl'. “We're NIDA compadres. We graduated together. It's a great opportunity to head down to Sydney. Every time I go down, everything I do is incredibly well received. It's humbling to know that there's an audience in Sydney that likes my work.”
