Two of the cast, Holly Ballard and Lauren Baker were just children in 1995, with 10-year-old Holly performing as little Cosette and 12-year-old Lauren as little Éponine.

Patricia Williams, Dean Snook, Bruce Wiseman and Wayne Lambert are back in roles that are either completely different or, in one instance, quite similar to their first performances.

Dean Snook was Enjolras in 1995 but is back in an ensemble role and playing a number of different characters, including Grantaire.

He describes Grantaire as “the ying to Enjolras' yang. Grantaire is the realist, whereas Enjolras is the idealist”.

Dean has appeared in numerous shows for Taree Arts Council including Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), Arsenic and Old Lace (Jonathon Brewster), Pirates of Penzance (Pirate King), Leader of the Pack (Orchestra), Noises Off! (Garry) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Miles Gloriosus). 

He’s returned to the Manning after a number of years living away. Les Misérables has been a big part of his life.

“This is number five. The first was 1995 with Taree Arts Council as Enjolras, second with Civic Theatre Newcastle in 2000 (Babet/Ensemble), third in Melbourne (2003) where I played Jean Valjean and fourth with DTC (2006) in one of my favourite roles, Javert.

“I can't imagine not being involved in this production, and playing a number of roles in this show as well as Grantaire has really honed my skills as a character actor. You never stop learning and developing.

“It's a very familiar feeling being back, though now that the show has been heavily edited it keeps you engaged.”  

He’s also found it good to meet up with and work with old friends but said it’s just as great to “meet the new generation of actors and singers who have arisen in my absence”.

Coming back into Les Misérables has been a nostalgic experience for Patricia Williams, who plays Madame Thénardier.

“I feel very fortunate to have previously played the role of Fantine. She was a nice, yet tragic victim of circumstances who gets to sing one of the greatest musical theatre songs ever written (I Dreamed a Dream).

“On the other hand my Madame Thénardier is a calculating money grubber who is determined to survive. The two roles are poles apart and this time it’s great to play a more hard-bitten character.”

This is Patricia’s seventh production with Taree Arts Council. Following Les Misérables in 1995 she appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar as Mary Magdalene (1996), Leader of the Pack as Mrs Greenwich and the nightclub singer (1998), A Little Night Music as Mrs Segstrom (2002), Cats as Grizabella (2008) and was the vocal director for Grease in 2007. 

Holly Ballard was only 10 when she played the role of Little Cosette in 1995.

“Twenty three years later I’m fortunate enough to be part of a diverse ensemble playing varies roles such as a beggar, a Parisian and a ‘lovely lady’. I am really enjoying being involved in the scenes I wasn’t able to as a child.”

And while she was involved in the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat production when she was a child, this is the first show she’s done for a while.

“I’m really enjoying being involved with Taree Arts Council again and hope to do more shows in the future as it has been so much fun.”

She’s having an absolute ball being part of Les Misérables.

“I have met some new friends as well as reunited with some familiar faces from the original show in 1995. I am so grateful being a part of this show and cannot wait for the show to open.

“Les Misérables is so powerful and the music hits you right in the heart. I feel so nostalgic listening to our orchestra and vocalists perform the music. We really have so much talent in our cast.”

In 1995’s Les Misérables Lauren Baker played little Éponine and she is now back as part of the ensemble.

“I play characters that I couldn’t play back in 1995 given that I was only 12,” she said.

“I remember watching the adults sing songs like ‘Lovely Ladies’ and wearing colourful costumes in the wedding scene and wanting to be part of it and now I have that opportunity.

“I’m really enjoying being part of the show. It’s not just the music and acting that I love but the friendships you make with the cast.

“When you put the costumes on you feel the characters come alive and you can’t help but feel moved by the music.

“I can’t help but think of what I was doing as little Éponine when I see our little actresses playing the role today, they are doing a great job.

“It has been nice to reminisce with the cast from 1995 about the good times working on Les Mis but now I am older, I am enjoying being on stage more and really getting into the grittiness of the characters.”

Lauren also appeared in Taree Arts Council’s Fiddler on the Roof and Anything Goes.

Les Misérables 2018 is Bruce Wiseman’s 50^th production on stage with Taree Arts Council.

Last time around in 1995 he was in the ensemble and played the pimp to the ‘lovely ladies’ and was a member of Thénardier’s gang.

He’s back in the ensemble as Bamatabois this time and quite a number of the ensemble roles he was not in last time.

“The role of Bamatabois, even though small, I’m finding challenging from a vocal and timing perspective.”

He said all shows he has done with Taree Arts Council come with great memories but the ones that stand out have been My Fair Lady, Les Misérables, Cats, Miss Saigon and Mary Poppins. Bruce has also directed three plays for TAC.

He’s enjoying being part of Les Misérables again.

“The young dynamic cast have been great to work with. The amount of talent we have in this area continues to amaze me and working under the guidance of perfectionists such as Gayle Cameron and Don Secomb is always a great experience .

“When the opportunity to audition came up for the second time, I didn’t hesitate.

“This is my all-time favourite musical and may possibly be my last production. What a fabulous show to retire on.”

There’s a sense of déjà vu for Wayne Lambert, who is returning to be part of the ensemble in Les Misérables again.

In 1995 his main role was Feuilly, one of the students. “I was also a convict, sailor/customer, poor person and I believe a beggar.

“I’m thrilled that the role I’m playing this time is the same student Feuilly. I'm also a convict again, a sailor, inn patron and poor person.

“I think the difference this time is we are going an extra step with the set, lighting and sound not to mention more rehearsals which means the audience are going to be in for an awesome experience. “

Wayne hasn’t been in any other shows with Taree Arts Council since Les Misérables in 1995 but has been part of a couple of musical productions in Perth and Melbourne and the Manning Valley Choral Society, as recently as the mass choir for Schubert's Mass in June.

He’s finding the experience of this year’s production just as good, challenging and enjoyable as last time.

“However, this time around I know the story and the songs much better because when I auditioned 23 years ago I had never heard any of the songs/music. I wondered what all the hype was about when I saw people wearing Les Mis t-shirts around the place.

“I feel excited, privileged and blessed to be a part of this year’s production.

“I must say it’s great to be singing alongside people who were in the 1995 production again and it’s also great to meet and sing with and get to know the new cast of people for this new production.”

Les Misérables opens at the Manning Entertainment Centre on November 2 and runs until November 18, with evening performances starting at 7.30pm and matinee performances at 2pm.

Book online at theMEC.com.au, or visit or call the MEC Box Office from Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 1pm. Tickets are also available from Stockland Forster.

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