More than 80 people auditioned for roles, with a cast of almost 50 chosen.

“There were adults and children who auditioned from the Port Macquarie area as well as Gloucester, Forster, Taree, Wingham and all over the Manning/Great Lakes area,” she said.

“The panel thoroughly enjoyed the auditions and were very satisfied and happy with the talented people who auditioned.”

The cast and production team came together for their first rehearsal on April 4.

The adult leads are Tim Gibbs as Jean Valjean, Rod Illidge as Javert, Ian Castle as Enjolras, Alex Blenkin as Marius, Dave Stephens as Thenardier, Mary Camphuis as Fantine, Stacey Evans as Eponine, Caitlyn Cameron as Cosette and Patricia Williams as Madame Thenardier.

Six children will make their Taree Arts Council debut in Les Miserables.

Alexander Ford-Chilvers and Sam Stephens will share the role of Gavroche, Amara Crutcher and Isabella Howard the role of Little Cosette and Katelyn Davidson and Chloe Hicks the role of Young Eponine.

The ensemble comprises of Chris Alcock, Jason Allan, Lauren Baker, Blake Ballard, Holly Ballard, Kristy Bates, Coby Borg, Adele Brotherton, Ben Copland, Joanna Drake, Paul Eade, Kate Ford, Grace Forrester, Lauren Green, Allan Hughston, Jack Kelly, Sarah Kinnear, Will Knight, Wayne Lambert, Chris Lim, Brody Mason, Bridget Mason-Tisdell, Krystle Molloy-Louis, Grace Pfab, Di Rayson, Phil Rayson, Dean Snook, Brandon Stewart, Chloe Taylor, Alex Wilson, Bruce Wiseman and Tanaya Wrigley

A show wouldn’t happen without the production team, who for Les Miserables is director Gayle Cameron, musical and vocal director Don Secomb, assistant vocal director Ariana Shneider, production manager Kylie Cleaver, stage manager Kylie Cleaver, assistant stage manager Angie King, technical director Chris Tippett, set designer John Holme, set construction David Denning, wardrobe Lea Young, choreography Amanda Hammond, properties manager Sammy Clarke, hair and wigs Paul Eade, make-up Karla Agnew and publicity and promotions Bruce Wiseman.

Les Miserables will open at the Manning Entertainment Centre on November 2 and close on November 18, 2018.