Christopher Lives His Impossible Dream

Christopher Hamilton reflects on his chance to play the role of a life-time, Don Quixote in Miranda Musical Society’s March 2016 production of Man Of La Mancha.

When I was 17 years old I saw J C Williamson’s production of Man Of La Mancha at the Theatre Royal (the original Theatre Royal in Castlereagh Street – not the one now in the MLC centre in King Street). It starred Charles West as Don Quixote and Suzanne Steele as Aldonza.

Sitting in seat D8, yes I still have ticket stub, I was enthralled and transported by this glorious piece of theatre. I remember sitting in the theatre after all the patrons had left and the usherette telling me it was over and I had to leave. I told her I didn’t want to leave, I wanted to stay and see it all again (I would have to wait another 6 years when JCW revived the show with both Charles West and Suzanne Steele).

I returned home and scraped together $7.50 for the 2 record set (yes vinyl!) of the Original London cast, which had starred Keith Michell. This recording was basically the entire show, dialogue and music. I am sure I drove my family and neighbours crazy playing the album “ad infinitum”.

Thus began my love affair with this show and I vowed one day I would play Don Quixote – the perfect role for a tall thin baritone!

I have been fortunate to play many great roles in music theatre, including; Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd inSweeney Todd, Javert in Les Misérables, Percy in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Georges in La Cage Aux Folles, Lawrence in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to name but a few. But somehow The Don always eluded me. There was a time when the show was very popular; of course it produced the hit song ‘The Impossible Dream’, but its popularity seemed to wane.I began to think that this show would be my impossible dream!

Now, finally I have the opportunity to play this role thanks to Miranda Musical Society. Apart from being able to wrap my tonsils around the great songs, I have found the dialogue more inspirational than I ever could have imagined. Cervantes, who wrote the original book, has often been likened to Shakespeare. The book of the musical, written by Wasserman, is extremely eloquent. I even have a couple of “soliloquies”.

I have never been more excited about playing a role. It’s an incredibly poignant musical for its age. Even more so today. We’ve forgotten about ideals. The show is about values, and about holding onto our life’s vision.

“for me alone was Don Quixote born and I for him”– Miguel De Cervantes

Director: Col Peet

Musical Director: Dean Turner

Choreographer: Sam Larielle

MIRANDA MUSICAL SOCIETY "MAN OF LA MANCHA"

SUTHERLAND ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

MARCH 16 -20, 2016

Bookings: www.mirandamusicalsociety.com.au

Phone (02) 8814 5827

Rehearsal images (with Charmaine Gibbs and Andrew Jackaman): Francis Fotography.

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Community Theatre Seasons 2016