He’ll be there, inside your mind, at the National Theatre, St Kilda.
Melbourne’s CLOC Musical Theatre is preparing to launch its 2013 season in May with a huge coup – the WORLD amateur premiere production of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary masterpiece The Phantom of the Opera.
After exhaustive auditions of several hundred people eager to be part of this special event, two very talented performers have been cast as the pivotal leads of the show. Toby Truscott, who will play the title role of the Phantom, is a seasoned, well-known and much admired performer in the Melbourne theatre scene, having played lead roles both here and overseas. He returns to CLOC for the fifth time to play a role that has long been his dream, but one that at times he doubted he would ever get the opportunity to perform. Playing his ‘angel of music’ Christine Daaé is Laura Slavin, who has also worked with many companies and is very excited to be appearing with CLOC for the first time.
As opening night approaches, both Toby and Laura are filled with anticipation and excitement. “I have had to pinch myself that I have been given this amazing opportunity to play one of the greatest male roles in musical theatre,” says Toby. “And to do this working with a first class professionally run company with such high technical, production and artistic standards is the icing on the cake for me.” Adds Laura “I have been overawed to be part of a cast and company of such high quality. And now watching the massive sets and intricate costumes take shape around us has only added to my excitement as we get closer to opening night. It has truly been an amazing experience that I will never forget.”
For Toby, especially, 2013 is turning out to be a very exciting year, as ten days after he finishes his run in Phantom, he is due to become a father for the second time - and it just so happens that he met his wife Bree when they appeared together in a CLOC show (Cats) in 2006, so clearly CLOC holds a very special place in Toby’s heart. And Laura also has a challenging year, juggling her love of performing with her ‘other’ life as a doctor at a major city hospital.
Phantom promises to be one of CLOC’s biggest and most complex productions ever in every facet and department – a challenge that CLOC is relishing with great anticipation, confident that audiences will experience a momentous spectacle and a memorable spine-tingling night at the theatre. CLOC promises audiences a night of riveting theatrical magic, spectacular sights and sounds and unforgettable memories – something truly special and not to be missed.
Phantom of the Opera runs from May 10-25 at the National Theatre in St Kilda for twelve performances, including a special Mother’s Day matinee on Sunday May 12.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to the CLOC website www.cloc.org.au or call the CLOC Ticket Line on 1300 362 547.
Images (top) Toby Truscott (The Phantom), Laura Slavin (Christine) and Patrick Hill (Raoul) and (lower) Left to right: Laura Slavin (Christine), Toby Truscott (The Phantom). Photography: Richard Crompton.
Behind the Scenes at CLOC's Phantom
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