News
Yes, it's been 30 years since the epic production graced our stage.
The worldwide showbiz phenomenon was staged by what was then Invercargill Musical Theatre Company Inc.
A group of original cast and crew members came together on Friday night to reminisce on this amazing production and remember those involved who have passed away.
President at that time Margaret Pethick recalled the exciting times when Les Mis' was staged at the Civic Theatre towards the end of 1994.
Margaret Pethick says a consortium of operatic organizations around New Zealand was quickly set up in order to stage Les Misérables here after producer Cameron McIntosh released the rights released the rights to amateur theatre groups to stage the show in Australasia.
Setting up a consortium of organizations enabled a stage set to be built and the vast range of costumes created so it could all be easily transported from one venue to the next.
One of the unique features of the Les Misérables production was the use of a revolving stage, something not used in an operatic production here before.
Margaret Pethick told whatsoninvers that it was a no-brainer to join the consortium and stage a show that had been a huge hit on the big stages of the main cities of the world.
She says the cast was local apart from the lead role of Jean Valjaen played by Chris Fennessey originally from Dunedin but came back from working in Australia to take on the challenging role.
Margaret Pethick support from local backers and audiences was outstanding. She says many patrons who had seen Les Mis overseas said the Invercargill Production was as good if not better than productions they had seen overseas.
Mrs Pethick says there was one concern about staging such a big production at the Civic Theatre (this was pre the big renovation), the lack of space. She said there was one dress rehearsal dedicated to practice all the quick costume changes, but she said the back stage set up was like a well oiled machine by opening night, every thing and everyone in their place.
Les Misérables was directed by Stephen Robertson, no stranger to Invercargill having directed many shows here since then. The musical director was Di Lenihan who sadly passed away just a few years ago. Stephen Robertson will be back to direct next years production of Matilda, the musical based on Road Dahl's book of the same name.