Diva Doctor Stars in CLOC Phantom

When CLOC Musical Theatre’s World Amateur Premiere of The Phantom of the Opera hits the stage of St Kilda’s National Theatre on Friday May 10, Laura Slavin will appear as Christine Daae.

A doctor by profession, working in a major inner city hospital, Laura has successfully balanced performing with medical school and a busy professional life as a medical registrar since graduation.

What attracted Laura to audition for The Phantom of the Opera?

“Christine has been a dream role for me for as long as I can remember.

“I've always loved The Phantom of the Opera but never thought I'd get a chance to perform in it. I was so excited for the opportunity to audition when I heard that the amateur rights were being released.

“First and foremost I auditioned for Phantom because I adore the music. Every song is beautiful.”

Laura’s love of the show and the role of Christine back to seeing the show as a child.

“I've seen Phantom twice on stage. The first time was when I was around seven years old. Mum took me up to Sydney to see it, as I had been too little to see it when it was in Melbourne. Mum had prepared me well with the story and I had listened to the cassette multiple times, however, she had kept the chandelier a secret. When it fell I burst into tears, I was so scared! Mum nearly took me home at interval because I was so worked up but I didn't want to leave.

“I also went to see the most recent Melbourne production with Anthony Warlow and saw Julie Goodwin as the alternate Christine. I remember thinking at the time how much I'd love to perform the part.”

How has the creative process for CLOC’s production been?

“The production team all have a strong vision for the show and have created a very supportive environment to workshop and block scenes.

The cast have been amazing throughout the process. It's difficult to single people out but it would be remiss of me not to say how phenomenal

Toby Truscott is as the Phantom. We share some pretty intense scenes and I've found it surprisingly easy working through them. I've also had a ball working with Patrick Hill who's playing Raoul.

“It has also been very inspiring to watch the large ensemble numbers such as Masquerade come together. The quality of the ensemble singing and dancing is really stunning.”

Laura has gone to great lengths in her preparation for the show, even travelling to Europe to check out the show’s famed setting.

“About a week after finding out I had been cast as Christine I visited the Palais Garnier in Paris (the Paris Opera House) where The Phantom of the

Operais set. Walking through the gilt foyers and seeing the famous chandelier really helped me place the character. I also got to walk up and down the famous staircase that Masquerade is set on, which really built my excitement prior to rehearsal starting.

“Being there also inspired me to read the original Gaston Leroux novel upon which Phantom is based.

“I've tried to steer clear from watching and listening to other people's performances of the role so that I can better develop my own interpretation of Christine. Also, I've been trying to look after myself well during the rehearsal period. Christine is a physically, vocally and emotionally demanding role. I often come home from rehearsals completely exhausted, so trying to fit in enough rest and down time around rehearsals, a pretty busy job as well as a social life has been important.”

Laura nominates stamina and fitness very high among the challenges when performing a role like Christine.

“Throughout the entire show, there is very little time spent off stage. I find the tension and intensity, particularly in the lair scenes, very draining both physically and emotionally.

“Vocally it's also very demanding. The songs (of which there are many) stretch a soprano into both the top and lower ends of their register.

“Christine is a very complex and challenging character. She has the innocence, vulnerability and loneliness typical of an ingénue, but there's also a depth to her character. She struggles with her feelings towards the Phantom, which fluctuate between fear, desire and fascination. This is contrasted with her much gentler, youthful and romantic relationship with Raoul. The two duets 'All I Ask of You' and 'Point of No Return' are really good examples of these two sides of Christine.”

What does Laura think audiences will take away from this production?

"The Phantom of the Opera offers so much as a show. Drama, passion, desire, love and lust. Although the plot is fantastical it is a very moving piece of theatre. It is easy to empathise with both the tortured Phantom and Christine. This drama is combined with a touch of humour from the theatre managers, Carlotta and Piangi. The music, the moving plot, stunning costumes and the spectacular special effects (elephants, boats, and of course the crashing chandelier) are all things an audience will remember after the show. It's a real full package show!"

While The Phantom of the Opera is Laura's first appearance with CLOC, over the last ten years she has appeared regularly with Victorian Opera, Melbourne Opera and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, as well as in various choirs, choral events and festivals. In music theatre, highlights have included Cosette in Les Miserables, Eliza in My Fair Lady and Johanna in Sweeney Todd (all with OSMaD), Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof and Marsinah in Kismet (both with Babirra), and Cinderella in Into the Woods (Waterdale).

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera will open on Friday May 10 at the National Theatre in St Kilda. There will be 12  performances, including two matinees (Sunday May 12 -a special Mother's Day performance, and Sunday May 19). Tickets are available  by calling 1300 362 547, or book online at www.cloc.org.au

Images (top) Toby Truscott (The Phantom), Laura Slavin (Christine) and Patrick Hill (Raoul), (middle)  Laura Slavin (Christine) and Toby Truscott (The Phantom) and (lower) Patrick Hill (Raoul) and Laura Slavin (Christine). Photography: Richard Crompton.

Behind the Scenes at CLOC's Phantom

Earlier coverage