The two unfilled roles for the Melbourne season of Les Miserables have been cast. The production is about to move from Sydney's Theatre Royal to Melbourne's Princess Theatre,opening on June 27. The role of Jean Valjean will be played by Timothy Shew, last seen on the Broadway stage in The Scarlet Pimpernel and a two year run in Les Miz on Broadway. Shew sang 'Bring Him Home' at a lavish press lunch given to announce his casting at Max's Restaurant in the Hyatt Hotel on Monday afternoon. His singing wowed the press.
Marius will be played by David Dixon,former lead singer in the band 'Indecent Obsession'. Dixon has pulled out of a lengthy Asian/New Zealand tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in which he's been starring in Hong Kong and was due to open in New Zealand next month. West End performer Darren Day is taking over the role for the duration of the Hong Kong season.
The other new addition for the Melbourne run is opera star Roger Lemke who will play Javert. His casting was announced three weeks ago. The new cast members began rehersal in Sydney this week. The Melbourne season is the second leg of a five city,18 month tour of Australia and New Zealand.
