Andrew Nikolic (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Recently, my electorate of Bass had the opportunity to be dazzled and enchanted by one of our local arts groups, the Encore Theatre Company, perform its rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera. For Encore, the production has been a resounding success. Over 10,000 people attended the three-week session, which smashed their previous record of 7,000 people for their production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The Phantom production team, headed by director, Belinda King, are to be commended for the highly theatrical and professional experience they provided. Furthermore, the stars of the show—Dean Cocker, Amelia Reynolds, Mathew Garwood—and their supporting cast delivered captivating performances night after night. They demonstrated once again the wealth of theatrical talent that we have in Northern Tasmania. Mathew Garwood is currently proudly representing Tasmania in TheVoice television program. Special thanks go to major sponsors—the Heritage Isle Credit Union, Invermay Newsagency, and the Launceston Council, whose support made it possible for the production to take place at the historic Princess Theatre. The next production being undertaken by the Encore Theatre Company is their version of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds in July. They have also enticed British actress Sue Hodge to star in their October-November production, The Vicar of Dibley. I look forward to both productions.

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