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MELBOURNE

The Original Australian tour opened in Melbourne at the Princess Theatre on 9th December, 1989. On 27th June 1998 the 10th Anniversary Tour started it's 6 month Melbourne season, again at the Princess Theatre. There were three major cast changes, with Dave Willetts (Valjean), Michael McCarthy (Javert) and David Campbell (Marius) not continuing on from the Sydney season.

Dave was replaced by Timothy Shew from the US. Tim was another Les Mis veteran - a former Broadway and US National Tour Valjean. Michael was replaced by Roger Lemke - best known in the opera circles in Australia. The role of Marius went to another David - David Dixon, of Indecent Obsession and Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat fame.

About 2 months into the season there were two ensemble changes. Gavin D Andrew (Joly) and Peter Murphy (swing) left the cast on Saturday 29th August 1998 to start rehearsals for the original Australian Rent production. They were replaced by Mark Spencer and Paul Hanlon respectively.

Around this time Roger Lemke developed throat problems and required surgery. An emergency call was placed to Michael McCarthy, who virtually jumped on the next plane to return to the cast while Roger recuperated. Michael began his limited run on the 2nd September, performing 7 shows a week with Rodney Dobson, the 1st cover becoming the unofficial alternate Javert.

Roger returned to the cast on the 26th October, performing for 4 shows that week Michael the remaining 4. Michael's final Australian performance (again!) was the evening show of Saturday 31st October, 1998.

Sadly as the Melbourne season neared it's conclusion, many of the cast felt it was time to move on. On the 5th December 1998 Tim Shew, Rachael Beck, Theresa Borg, Donna Lee, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, William Zappa,Jonathan Brooke Densem, Cerrian Clements, Vivien Davies, Brendan Hanson, Amanda Harrison, Kane McErvale, Yvette Robinson, and Karlis Zaid performed with the company for the final time. Lara Mulcahy performed in the ensemble for the final time before replacing Donna Lee as Madame Thenardier.

The 5th December was originally the planned final Melbourne performance but it was decided to extend for another 2 weeks until the 19th December, to allow for the company to adjust to the casting changes as well as some directional changes before a Christmas break and moving on to New Zealand.