The countdown has begun with the show opening in just over a week’s time on Friday November 2, and the cast and crew are champing at the bit after months of rehearsal and preparation. 

Finishing touches are being applied to set, costumes and props, and MEC technician Nathaniel Tanare is pictured here working on the lighting design for the show from the lighting desk, which has been temporarily moved to the middle of the auditorium for this purpose.

Director Gayle Cameron is looking happy if slightly fatigued, whilst maintaining her usual air of calm and cheer. 

It seems like only yesterday when she popped into the MEC office last year and began discussing preliminary preparations for Les Mis, and now here we are with a matter of days until the curtain rises on opening night. 

Ever the down-to-earth type, Gayle was spotted washing up the worker’s cups at the end of the day that the set was bumped in. 

Gotta love the boss mucking in with the humble but necessary tasks.

Word from the rehearsal room is that the cast and crew have a tremendous show on their hands. 

Many of the cast have day jobs, and devote countless hours outside work to rehearse in the lead-up and perform during the three week run. 

The crew is also made up of working individuals who build sets, make costumes, run errands, produce marketing material and tackle the myriad tasks that need to be done to mount a successful show. 

The Taree Arts Council is a brilliant example of teamwork in pursuing excellence, and we wish them all the very best for a smash hit run.

Ticket sales are brisk, and I advise readers to snaffle seats while you still can, as word of mouth will, I believe, see it sell out. 

The run is from Friday November 2 to Sunday November 18, with the evening shows starting at 7:30pm and the Sunday matinees starting at 2pm. 

You can book online at theMEC.com.au, or visit or call us at the MEC Box Office from Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 1pm. Tickets are also available at Stockland Forster, seven days a week.