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Auslan interpreter Mikey Webb on the joys of cross-stitch and interpreting Hamilton, rock concerts

This cross-stitch of Tutankhamun is one of Mikey Webb's favourite possessions and took him three years to finish. (Supplied: Mikey Webb)

At the height of the pandemic Mikey Webb was one of the Auslan interpreters who became a familiar face to many Australians, helping to translate COVID press briefings to the deaf community. 

Mr Webb became known for his sharp suits, his "man bun" and that time bird poo landed on his shoulder during a live press conference.

It's worth looking for the clip online if you haven't already seen in it.

When Mr Webb was asked by ABC Radio Brisbane to talk about his favourite possession, he brought in an intricate cross-stitch of Tutankhamen.

"One of my aunties passed away around 20 years ago and she left me all of her cross-stitch stuff," Mr Webb says.

The Tutankhamun pattern was part of her collection and it took Mr Webb three years to complete.

The Tutankhamun cross-stitch was started by Mikey Webb's aunty, who passed away 20 years ago. (Supplied: Mikey Webb)

A good reminder to chill out

Mr Webb grew up watching his mum and aunties do cross-stitch and started doing it himself in his early teens.

"I remember my mates would come over after school and I'd just be doing my cross-stitch," he says.

"Cross-stitch is a good reminder to just chill out.

"[It's] an opportunity for me to sit down, shut the world out and just be in the moment."

Mikey Webb says cross-stitch gives him a chance to "shut the world out and just be in the moment". (Supplied: Mikey Webb)

Mr Webb's skills as an Auslan interpreter are in high demand and he does a lot of work with Auslan Stage Left, an organisation that helps deaf people access live music and theatre.

His recent shows includes Hamilton the musical, Ed Sheeran's Australian tour and a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert.

Mikey Webb at the Ed Sheeran show in Brisbane with fellow Auslan interpreter Madison Rossetto. (Supplied: Auslan Stage Left)

Preparing for a concert or musical theatre performance takes a huge amount of work and it's not just about learning the lyrics.

"It's also about feeling the music and grooving along to it.

"If I was just standing there looking really boring, it doesn't portray the actual sense of the song."

Mikey Webb gets in the groove while interpreting on stage at a concert. (supplied: Auslan Stage Left )

For Mr Webb's work on the Hamilton musical, he plays several characters and interprets both rap and opera.

"Opera can be really hard to translate because you have to hold notes and wait for the singer to stop."

Rap has its own challenges, especially when the singer starts freestyling.

"I did Bliss n Eso and the Melbourne Grand Prix last year and they were a million miles an hour,"  Mr  says.

"You've just got to go along with what you hear and hope it all comes out."

One-of-a-kind interpreter

Susan Emerson is Director of Auslan Stage Left and like Mikey, she grew up with deaf parents and grandparents. Her siblings were also born deaf.

Susan says since the pandemic, Auslan interpreters had become far more visible.

"People used to question why there where interpreters at news conferences but that doesn't happen anymore," she says.

Finding enough interpreters of Mikey's calibre is challenging.

"There is no-one like him," Ms Emerson says.

"We are working to train new people by having them work closely with Mikey."

Mikey Webb helps bring the songs from Hamilton to life for the deaf community. (supplied: Auslan Stage Left )

And what else is Mr Webb himself working on at the moment? 

"I'm doing a massive Pokemon [cross-stitch] pattern," he says.

"I love my Pokemon GO and this one has the original 150 characters, it will take a few years for sure."

Mikey Webb signs at concerts and public events as well as press conferences. (Supplied: Auslan Stage Left)
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