IT’S one of the all-time classics of the stage and the lead roles have been performed by the best singers in the world of theatre.
That was what confronted our small, but dedicated Ipswich Musical Theatre Company when they announced they were bringing Phantom of the Opera to town.
On Friday night I joined a packed house to see if our local production could live up to the ambitious hopes of Brenda Ryan and Ken Mundt who have been the guiding force behind IMTC for many years.
Before the show Brenda hosted a few special guests for pre-dinner drinks, while Ken was busy selling the glossy programs for $10 each.
They both looked nervous and they had every right to, it was costing their group around $130,000 to bring the classic to town.
Those nerves would have evaporated soon after the curtain went up as the cast captivated the packed auditorium.
Bryleigh Parsons-Pope had been handed her first ever lead role at just 21 years of age and smashed it as Christine Daae.
Having the polished Nathan Keen to play alongside her as the Phantom would no doubt have given her great confidence.
The former member of the Ten Tenors was faultless.
Social Media lit up after the weekend shows carrying glowing comments such as these:
Wow guys, what a show, highest class of professionalism, amazing vocals, the right amount of comedy flair.
-Richele Shepherd
Great to see a former Ipswich boy have such brilliant success with his singing career- moving performance Nathan
– Annette Smith
The best “Phantom” I have ever seen
– Dorothy Williamson.
Nathan’s voice really was so powerful, his voice equalled or exceeded any of the phantoms I have seen.
The same with Bryleigh’s Christine, who had an incredible soprano voice yet unlike many in the role, the words remained clear.
– Julie Macdonald-Mall
