Rob Guest Endowment Concert

The Annual Rob Guest Endowment Concert was held last night as Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne. In what is fast becoming one of the hottest events of the theatre calendar, it was a case of new talent interacting with stars of the theatre industry.
The event served as a reunion for the industry, with all sorts of theatre people spotted.
Guests included Tevin Campbell, Nancy Dennis, Trevor Ashley, James Maxfield, socialite Megan Castran and was hosted by Bert Newton.

The 6 finalists - Bree Langridge, Simon Brook McLachlan, Francine Cain, Nathan Derrick, Drew Weston and Sarah Bakker displayed immense talent and maturity, wowing the crowd with what they could do. There was noticeable improvement in the behind the scenes planning with regards to last year's show, with contestants no longer restricted to a set list of songs, contestants now being properly announced before their performance and props/other actors allowed to be used.

Act 2 started with a live auction with 3 major prizes.
Lot 1 was a Mary Poppins Experience, including tickets, a signed poster and a Backstage Tour. This went for approx. $2000.
Lot 2 was a Musical Theatre poster set, including signed posters from Wicked, Jersey Boys, Hairspray and West Side Story. This went for $1600.
Lot 3 was a framed and mounted Phantom of the Opera mask, as worn by Rob Guest. This went for $5000.

Highlights of the evening included the heartfelt return of the heavily pregnant Amanda Harrison, performing The Story Goes On, cast members from Mary Poppins lead by Philip Quast, singing Sunday and Little Brown Jug performed by Chris Horsey, Mark Hill, Matt Lee and Leah Howard.

Although Francine Cain was announced as the recipient of the Rob Guest Endowment for 2010, all who performed or were in attendance on the night were the real winners.

The programme was as follows:

Act one

Putting it Together - 2010 finalists

Oscars Medley - Rachel Beck, Danielle Barnes, Mandy Carnie

Always True To You - Bree Langridge, feat Ross Hannaford

Love Look Away - Simon Brook McLachlan

Little Brown Jug - Chris Horsey, Mark Hill, Matt Lee, Leah Howard

Shy - Francine Cain

Not While I'm Around - Nathan Derrick

The Story Goes On - Amanda Harrison

I'll Be Here - Drew Weston

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Bakker

Bring Him Home - David Harris

Sunday - Cast Members from Mary Poppins


Act Two

Dream On - Lucy Durack, Matthew Robinson, Esther Hannaford, Chris Parker

Live Auction

Maybe I Like It This Way - Francine Cain

Sunset Boulevard - Drew Weston

Maybe This Time - Rhonda Burchmore

Gethsemane - Simon Brook McLachlan

Astonishing - Bree Langridge

Feeling Good - Tom Burlinson

Glitter and Be Gay - Sarah Bakker

Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat - Nathan Derrick

Show Off - Chloe Dallimore

Burn For You - Michael Cormick

Colour Purple Medley - Danielle Matthews

Up The Ladder to the Roof - Wicked Cast Members