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Official newsletter of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University (Issue 50) November 2017 PHANTOM REVISITED Ben Lewis steps back into lead role GLOBAL REACH New international partnership DYNASTY and James Mackay DEFYING GRAVITY 30th Birthday PLUS WAM awards and much more Inside WAAPA Issue 50 Page 1 PHANTOM REVISITED GLOBAL REACH BEN LEWIS HAS STEPPED BACK INTO A MUSICAL THEATRE LEAD ROLE HE KNOWS WELL AN EXCITING NEW In September, WAAPA alumnus Ben production of The Phantom of the Opera. “I think they know that I think deeply about Lewis took over the title role in the West End Alexander was playing Raoul and understudying my work and they are all very respectful of my PARTNERSHIP OPENS production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The The Phantom and Ben was there to applaud process and don’t try and get in the way of that.” INTERNATIONAL DOORS Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre his brother the first time he went on in the title He admits that having played The Phantom in London. role. After starting his career so successfully in before has definitely been an advantage, both FOR WAAPA STUDENTS He is joined in the long-running production by musical theatre, Alexander is now forging an in terms of the emotional connection and the new partnership between Edith Cowan another WAAPA graduate: Amy Manford, who international career as an opera singer. physical demands of the part. University (ECU) and a top international plays the alternate Christine Daaé. “I was probably more nervous than he was “I’ve always felt a connection with the conservatoire is giving music students the In her final year at WAAPA, Manford was and spent the whole show just watching him, character which helps, but I always take my A chance to study in England or learn from the best so I don’t remember much else about the Sicari applied to RNCM for her awarded the prestigious Barbara MacLeod strength and confidence from my preparation,” teachers in the world, right here in Perth. Scholarship for Most Outstanding Female experience,” recalls Ben. “He did an awesome he says. “More often than not, I feel like if I am postgraduate studies because of the range In August, ECU and the Royal Northern Classical Student. She then moved to London job though and I was super proud!” diligent with my work, detailed, and curious, of performance opportunities on offer: self- College of Music (RNCM) signed a Memorandum to complete postgraduate study at The Royal Both brothers graduated from WAAPA in 2004 then the rest takes care of itself. devised lunch time recitals, opera scenes, of Understanding (MoU) which will pave the College of Music, graduating recently with a and are the sons of acclaimed opera singers opera production auditions and external “However there is a comfort that comes from way for student and staff exchanges, short Masters of Performance in Vocal Performance. Patricia Price, WAAPA’s current Head of Vocal opera company residencies/mentorships. understanding some of the technical aspects of course and placement opportunities, knowledge Studies, and Michael Lewis, who teaches “I wanted to go to a place that would Manford has performed internationally as a the work. Wearing the mask, prosthetics, wig etc. sharing, research collaboration and joint sessionally at WAAPA. show me what was expected of me in a soloist with the London Handel, London Cello can be quite a shock and an adjustment, but for performance projects. and the Perth Symphony Orchestras. She has Amy Manford studied at WAAPA with Patricia me it has felt so familiar and that has probably professional company,” she explains. “I was ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman sung at iconic venues such as the Seoul Arts Price. When Lewis met Manford on the first day made the transition from rehearsal room to stage so pleased that RNCM offered me a place said the partnership would give WAAPA students Center in South Korea and at Buckingham of Phantom rehearsals: “I was like, ‘Oh, you a lot easier this time round.” on their course and I feel I’ve grown as an access to RNCM’s internationally renowned Palace for the Prince of Wales. studied with my mum!’” artist here. Lewis also points out how isolating the role teachers as well as facilitate knowledge sharing “RNCM is known for its friendliness and Playing the alternate Christine marks the It’s been just over five years since Lewis and can be, as the only other person The Phantom between the two institutions. 24-year-old singer’s West End debut. Manford his wife Melle Stewart – they met while studying shares the stage is with the actress playing welcoming nature, this is absolutely true and “It also opens the door for students from Perth performs Christine twice a week, alternating with at WAAPA – moved from Sydney to London Christine. So Lewis makes a point of touching it made such an impact on my time here. The and Manchester to study at either world-class another actor because of the extreme demands to pursue their musical theatre careers. Ben base with the other members of the company as people I’ve met here have inspired me and I school and broaden their horizons,” Professor of the part, which include 11 dress changes, all describes the English capital as a tough town but much as possible. ven before this important partnership have learnt many important lessons from the Chapman said. between WAAPA and RNCM was teachers and guest artists who have visited with corsets, elaborate dance moves, including “the creative rewards are there if you are willing “The cast and the crew are wonderful and it is E RNCM Principal Professor Linda Merrick said formalised, the Manchester conservatoire the College.” climbing ladders, and wearing a skirt that weighs to stick it out”. a pleasure to walk into Her Majesty’s each and the RNCM is constantly seeking new and exciting has for many years been a highly sought- more than 8kg for her opening number. Stewart recently starred in another of Andrew every day,” he says. Sicari is also a talented jazz singer. For just opportunities to enhance the experience it offers to after post-graduate destination for WAAPA’s over a year she has been the lead vocalist in Ben Lewis comes to the role of The Phantom Lloyd Webber’s musicals, By Jeeves at the Old So what does it take to get a lead role in a both students and staff. Classical Vocal graduates. Dani Sicari and The Easy Rollers, a seven- after playing the same character in a different Laundry Theatre in the Lake District and directed musical on the West End? Lewis offers this “Our professional partnerships with other world- Following their undergraduate training at piece vintage jazz band made up of RNCM show – the original Australian production of Lloyd by the show’s lyricist, Sir Alan Ayckbourn. advice for budding performers: class providers who share our passion and ethos WAAPA with Head of Classical Voice, Patricia musicians. They have been steadily building Webber’s sequel, Love Never Dies in 2011. Coming from such a high-profile performing “Just work hard. Put your phone down and are integral to realising this ambition. Price, sopranos Samantha Clarke and a reputation as one of the hardest working Four years earlier, Lewis had watched from arts family, Lewis says that his parents and work hard. There are so many talented people Daniella Sicari have both recently graduated swing bands in the north of England with the audience as his younger brother Alexander brother are very considerate when it comes to “We pride ourselves on giving all of our students out there, but it means nothing without graft.” from RNCM with a Masters of Music, under appearances at Manchester and Glasgow performed the lead role in the original Australian providing feedback on his performances. real-world experiences during their studies, both in the UK and internationally. Our partnership with the tutelage of Mary Plazas. Jazz Festivals, Spinfest, and the Edinburgh From left: Ben Lewis as The Phantom and Amy Manford as Christine Daae in the West End production of Fringe Festival, among many other gigs. ‘The Phantom of the Opera’‘ WAAPA will help us develop this important work, Clarke, who was recently awarded a incentivise student and staff mobility, share best 2017 Royal Northern College of Music Gold In December, Sicari will perform the role practice and create mutually beneficial projects and Medal, gave her professional debut as of The Fairy Godmother (La Fée) in RNCM initiatives,” she said. Pamina in The Magic Flute by Mozart in the Opera Production’s Cendrillon by Massenet Professor Merrick visited Perth on Tuesday Longborough Festival Opera 2017 season. and next year will appear as Gretel in their 29 August to sign the MoU and to give the Vice- Since then she has performed the role of production of Hansel and Gretel. Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni with the British Currently half way through her studies at Photos by Johan Persson Chancellor’s Distinguished Oration 2017 at ECU’s Mount Lawley campus. Youth Opera Company and performed in the RNCM is mezzo-soprano Chelsea Burns, finals for the Independent Opera Scholars’ who will graduate next year. Burns completed In her oration ‘The value of performing arts Recital at Wigmore Hall, winning the Nora education in a changing world’, Professor Merrick her Bachelor of Music, majoring in classical Goodridge Developing Artist Award from the performance and a Postgraduate Diploma outlined how in an uncertain world performing arts Australian Music Foundation. Clarke is now matters more than ever before.