‘Second to none’: Meet the cast of Toowoomba’s Les Miserables
Toowoomba is in for a treat with the Toowoomba Choral Society set to put on a show of a lifetime to celebrate its 90th anniversary. Meet the stellar cast here, including some of the society’s most accomplished alums returning for the must-see show.
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For the past nine decades, the Toowoomba Choral Society has delighted audiences with remarkable theatrical experiences.
Now the region is in for a treat, with a special performance to celebrate the society’s anniversary milestone.
After delivering stellar sold-out shows of Les Miserables in 1994, 1995 and 2009, the society will recreate the iconic musical at the Empire Theatre this month.
Playing the role of Cosette will be Shannon Gralow, alongside Brad Kendrick as Valjean, Tara Gillespie as Fantine and Jon Maskell as Javert, among many other talented performers.
Producer Jo Tooley praised the talent of the cast and creative team, with several of the society’s most accomplished alums returning for the must-see show.
“The blend and maturity of the sound from the ensemble is second-to-none,” Ms Tooley said.
“We could not ask for a better cast or creative team … the production has attracted professional and pro-am talent back to Toowoomba – people who learnt their craft in the region, and now working in the industry across the state.”
More than 150 people auditioned for the production with 58 actors scoring roles in the musical directed by Martin Paroz.
Based on Victor Hugo’s novel, the story is set in 19th century France and features themes of unrequited love, broken dreams, sacrifice and redemption. Audience members can expect to hear their favourite songs from the musical including I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Master of the House and more.
The Toowoomba Choral Society’s 90th anniversary production of Les Miserables will be at the Empire Theatre with four shows from September 7 to 9.
Purchase tickets online at tcschoral.com.au
Meet the cast and crew
Brad Kendrick – Valjean
He’s played the understudy role of Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow, stepped into the character of Ned Kelly and played one of the Blues Brothers on more than one occasion.
Now Brad Kendrick will return to his hometown to portray Valjean in Les Miserables.
Growing up in Pittsworth, Mr Kendrick said he first joined the Choral Society in the early 90s and until he left the region in 2000.
After working at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan, he returned to Aussie soil in 2013 and has called the Gold Coast home ever since.
“I have had a love for music since I was a baby and performed in orchestras, choirs and theatres during school,” he said.
“It’s a very powerful and positive position to be in as an actor because you have the ability to evoke emotions, change perceptions and be an instrument of change which I consider a great honour.”
Since these humble beginnings, Mr Kendrick has gained an impressive resume of professional acting jobs in film and theatre on both a national and international scale.
This includes playing Ned Kelly in the Spotlight Theatrical Company’s production of Kelly – a performance which won him Best Actor in Community Theatre at the Gold Palm Theatre Awards, Billy Flynn in Chicago and Nick Massi in Jersey Boys, which he also co-directed.
He also fulfilled the role of Johnny Depp’s stand-in as Captain Jack Sparrow for the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film.
It’s not the first time he’s come face-to-face with fame though, after he met the real-life lead vocalist of the Blues Brothers, Jake Blues, when he portrayed him in theatrical shows on a cruise ship.
But it wasn’t always easy for Mr Kendrick who said he was a target for bullying at his school because it was at a time when the performing arts were viewed negatively.
“(The society) changed my life in the most positive way because at the time I had really long hair, was into music and loved the arts, and I was bullied regularly for it,” he said.
“Through (the society) I found all these kids who were just like me and who welcomed and accepted me for who I was and I realised I actually wasn’t weird or different at all.
“Back then drama wasn’t offered at school so I really didn’t get to express myself creatively until I joined the Choral Society.”
After he was previously cast in the Society’s 1995 production of Les Miserables, Mr Kendrick will now step into the role of Valjean, marking his 56th musical.
“I try to be selective now and only pick roles that will really challenge me as a performer,” he said.
“This role has a special place in my heart because I’ve wanted to play this role for 30 years and have very fond memories of the show in ‘95.
“I consider the Empire Theatre to be my home stage and I’m so honoured to be cast and to contribute to a production with a company that has meant so much to me and was integral to my journey as a performer.”
The Toowoomba community may also recognise Mr Kendrick from the 2016 production of Legally Blonde and West Side Story in 1999 among others and attributes these performances to him pursuing acting professionally.
Flynn Walmsley – Enjolras
Described by the Toowoomba Choral Society as an “emerging creative in the Toowoomba region”, Flynn Walmsley has made both his acting and directorial debuts in the past three years.
Despite his eagerness to join community theatre groups, the 19-year-old found himself too busy with schoolwork, but eventually decided to take part.
After performing in five productions including The Hunchback of Notre Dame, where he played leader of the gypsies Clopin Trouillefou, he went on to direct Heathers at the Crescendo Theatre Company this year.
Growing up on Celtic, country and folk tunes, Mr Walmsley said he was drawn to music and its ability to tell a story from an early age which he believes led him to musical theatre.
“I got into theatre on a bit of a whim, but I’m a musical theatre nerd now – it’s caught me in its snare and I feel a deep connection to the way it tells stories,” he said.
“It felt like I was coming off this huge rollercoaster ride and I just thought ‘wow man, let’s keep doing that’ and I was grateful I had the opportunity to throw my hat in the ring and direct even though I was so new to the theatre scene.
“I was really scared at first but everyone was so welcoming and supportive … in theatre you connect with people from all walks of life and learn from people who do this for a living with the shared goal to create art and tell stories – it’s like we’re a melting pot of creativity.”
When he’s not performing on stage himself, Mr Walmsley is working as the manager of a local cinema and studying a degree in film at the University of Southern Queensland.
“Everyone wants to be the next Hollywood star or director, but I’m really passionate about commercial film and theatre,” he said.
“The ultimate goal would be to work with theatre and production companies to promote upcoming shows and do video production for social media, but it’s very early days.”
Mr Walmsley has been cast as Enjolras in the upcoming production of Les Miserables.
Ian Kammholz – Bishop Myriel and Army Officer
By day he works as a site manager for a container packing facility, but by night, you will find Ian Kammholz belting out ballard, rehearsing or performing on the community theatre stage.
The 62-year-old performed in his first show in 1989 with the society’s The Merry Widow production, as a member of the chorus.
Inspired by his aunt and uncle who were both members of the society, Mr Kammholz participated in every show up until the mid 2000s when he began travelling heavily for work.
Despite performing in dozens of productions over the years and the upcoming show marking the fifth time he has been in Les Miserables with the society, Mr Kammholz said this was his favourite story.
Previously cast in Les Miserables as Enjolras – a charismatic student leader, with revolutionary ideas, in 1994, 1995 and 2002, the performer then played a student in 2009.
This year, Mr Kammholz has stepped into two roles for the first time – as Bishop Myriel
and an army officer.
“Les Mis has always been my favourite because of the different styles,” he said.
“The bishop is really an integral part of the whole story because he changes the attitude of the main character and makes him want to turn his life around instead of being a thief and trying to get even with the world.”
While at first glance the site manager may not fit the stereotype of a performer, he said people would be surprised with some of the best tenors he knows working as concreters, farmers and builders.
A lover of sacred music, power ballads, classical and musical theatre songs, Mr Kammholz said his involvement with the Society led to him competing and winning the Queensland Eisteddfod’s Tenor Award on 15 occasions.
Many changes have occurred over the years with Mr Kammholz reflecting on several of the poignant moments from the Society’s rich history.
“The first time we did Les Mis was one of the highlights because we traditionally did five shows and now here we were doing 20 shows in a season,” he said.
“It was also an exciting time for the Society when we stopped doing performances at City Hall and brought them to the Empire Theatre and I still remember the first performance where we used microphones – that was a game changer.”
Jon Maskell – Javert
Ever since he purchased his very first album – the Les Miserables soundtrack – Jon Maskell had his sights set on playing the character of Javert.
The 38-year-old’s dreams are set to come true with the trained Opera singer stepping into the role this weekend.
“Les Miserables is probably why I pursued music after high school because it really opened my eyes up to the dramatic possibilities of musical theatre,” Mr Maskell said.
“I was about 17 when I purchased the CD and it was the year the Choral Society put on a production of Les Miserables in 2002, so I just got swept away when I heard the songs.
“Empty Chairs and Empty Tables is a beautiful song about grief and the whole show builds up to that song but I also love the song Stars which I get to sing in this production.”
Making his debut performance with the society as a youth choir member in the production of Li’l Abner in the late 90s, Mr Maskell said his ‘big break’ came in 2002 when he was cast as a lead in The Pinafore Pirates.
“I’ve always loved performing because it allows you to pretend to be someone else and push the boundaries within a controlled environment – and unlike in real life, you know what to say because the lines are already written down for you,” he said.
“Playing Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady wasn’t my first lead role but the first time I had so much speaking dialogue as I was so used to singing, so that was a nice acting challenge.
“We’re so lucky here in Toowoomba to have such top performers and singers and we get to create something really special with so many talented leads to bounce off and beautiful sets.”
The opera singer, who completed his studies at the University of Southern Queensland, has gone on to teach singing in high schools and work casually in the Opera Queensland chorus.
Lauren Baryla – Eponine
From the Sound of Music to Annie, Lauren Baryla has made more than one impact on the Toowoomba Choral Society’s stage and is eager to return alongside her biggest inspirations and mentors.
Stepping into the role of Eponine in Les Miserables, the upcoming production will mark the 21-year-old’s 13th with the society.
Previously performing in the junior production of Aladdin at the age of 11, Ms Baryla went on to play Marta von Trapp in the Sound of Music the following year but admits her favourite role to date has been the red-headed orphan Annie in 2016.
Grateful for the opportunities to find an outlet for her energy and confidence, Ms Bravery said she loved nothing more than standing on stage and bringing a fictional character to life.
“My dad has called me a drama queen since the day I was born,” she said.
“I love bringing the words of a script and the idea of a character to life for people to enjoy.
“There is nothing like being on the Empire Theatre stage, singing my heart out to hundreds of people and making them believe my character’s story.”
Ms Baryla said she believed she would be a completely different person if she had not joined the performing arts group.
“I’ve acquired my closest friends, my passion and an endless amount of mentors (through the society) and these shows formed an integral part of my childhood and now my adulthood,” she said.
“My past teachers such as Vicki Bravery and Shannon Tamblyn are now playing the leads alongside me in this show and I could not be more excited as they have taught me everything I know.”
Currently living in Brisbane, Ms Baryla is studying biomedical science at the Queensland University of Technology.
Martin Paroz – Director
For Martin Paroz, his long history with the Toowoomba Choral Society first began when he joined the junior production group at the young age of 10.
Now aged 54, the society turned into a family affair for the father of five, who’s three youngest children were part of the youth choir.
“(The society) gave me my first proper introduction to singing and it offers the people involved such a nurturing and positive environment,” Mr Paroz said.
“It’s very close to my heart because it was such a huge part of my childhood but then my kids also come to mind as it provided such a solid foundation to their lives and music journeys.”
Mr Paroz’s son Harrison Paroz also followed in his father’s footsteps after directing The Hunchback of Notre Dame last year and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this year.
Inspired by his mum who was a keen muso, he trained in classical opera and now owns his own private singing studio.
Since his first performance with the society in the 70s, Mr Paroz later became a choral conductor and directed shows in 2010 and 2011.
Returning as director for Les Miserables this year, the singing teacher said it brought back a lot of treasured memories after he was cast as Valjean in the 2009 production.
“It was an interesting experience to step out of that character and into the role of director to see the perspectives of the other characters and how those relationships unfold on stage,” Mr Paroz said.
“This is not just a show – it’s a very grand and moving experience with powerful themes that people really connect with.
“We really drew out the best of the best cast – many who are highly seasoned – and it’s been such a pleasure to work with such a highly professional, experienced and lovely bunch of people.”
Oliver King – Marius
Science and music may sit at polar ends of the spectrum but the one things both areas have in common is they happen to be Oliver King’s two greatest passions.
The 18-year-old is currently studying a dual degree of music and science at the University of Queensland in Brisbane and hopes to pursue careers in either allied health or the performing arts.
“I’ve always loved classical singing but that has morphed into a passion for theatre and musicals … and I really enjoyed blowing stuff up in science class too,” he said.
“Working with amazing conductors and percussionists in this production like Vicki Bravery has been a highlight for me because she really influenced me in my growth as a musician.”
Mr King who has been a member of the Society’s youth choir since 2019 and contemporary adult choir since 2021, said he was drawn to Les Miserables because he loved the music.
Stepping into his first lead role since graduating high school as Marius, Mr King previously played the ensemble characters of ‘Country Kid’ and ‘Pink Clam’ in Priscilla Queen of the Desert in 2021 and the supporting role of the wolf in Narnia the Musical in 2019.
“Priscilla was a real highlight because it was so much fun singing along to old pop songs and the props and set designs were incredible,” he said.
“As an audience member, (the Society’s production of) My Fair Lady was a standout because they did a really amazing rendition of the music and it was so beautiful to hear.”
Shannon Gralow – Cosette
Some of Shannon Gralow’s most cherished memories have taken place on the Toowoomba Choral Society stage.
From performing in the ensemble in her society debut for Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, to getting engaged in 2019.
“The Choral Society has been a major part of my life for many years, providing the opportunity to perform in many different roles,” Ms Gralow said.
“A highlight was the final show of My Fair Lady where my now-husband surprised me with an onstage proposal … thankfully I said yes.”
Bringing the performing arts into her professional life, Ms Gralow works as a private music teacher.
Performing in almost all of the society’s musicals since 2011, the upcoming production of Les Miserables will be a special moment for Ms Gralow who will be playing Cosette, after previously playing the character’s younger self as a child.
“I have grown up around a musical family and have studied dance, violin, piano and voice since I was a child, so performing was a big part of my everyday life as I grew up,” she said. “Performing in musicals, particularly, allows you to become somebody else, be silly or naughty, and combining all these elements along with great music is a challenge and thrill like nothing else.”
Tara Gillespie – Fantine
For as long as she can remember Tara Gillespie has always loved the stage – whether she’s performing herself or watching others in awe.
At the age of three, she sung in front of a large audience at the first time at church, but she didn’t fall in love with musical theatre until she turned seven.
“My first introduction (to musical theatre) was when mum bought me a second-hand soundtrack of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and I just became obsessed,” Ms Gillespie said.
“Musical theatre has always been my favourite type of performance because I think the music allows you to feel so deeply.
“Getting up on stage never scared me – in fact it just thrilled me – and I love getting into character, figuring out their motivations, expressing those emotions and adding my own twist to their stories.”
At 15, Ms Gillespie saw her first professional show – Wicked and has since seen shows at the West End Theatre in London.
After performing in the Society’s 2009 production of Les Miserables as an ensemble cast member, Ms Gillespie moved to Brisbane, then overseas, before returning to the Garden City in 2019.
The mum of two said she did not plan to audition for this year’s production, but her husband encouraged her because of how much she loves the story and she was ultimately cast as Fantine.
“My son has only just turned one so I wasn’t planning on getting back into the theatre scene this soon, but I’ve had a blast and I’m looking forward to doing more shows in the future,” she said.
“It can be intimidating coming in as a fresh face when everyone else knows each other, but they all welcomed me with open arms and it’s allowed me to reconnect with people I haven’t seen for years.
“I really feel for my character and have a soft spot for her because through no fault of her own, Fantine gets thrown down into the dumps of life constantly.”
Now aged 30, Ms Gillespie is currently a stay at home mum, who is studying a degree in social work at Griffith University.
After previously working as a school chaplain and youth worker, she hopes to pursue a profession where she can help support vulnerable young people.
Vicki Bravery – Madame Thenadier
When Vicki Bravery was first introduced to the Toowoomba Choral Society, she was cast as Madame Thenardier in its 2009 production of Les Miserables, and now the performer will reprise the very same role.
Growing up in England, Ms Bravery’s skills for the cello were not lost on her music teachers which meant she was often cast in the orchestra in school productions, despite her desire to sing and act.
With the help of her mother who gave a stern word to the school, Ms Bravery stepped into an understudy role at the age of 10, and after the lead fell sick, learnt the script overnight.
“The orchestra is wonderful, but ever since then I never wanted to go back in the pit again – I just wanted to be on stage,” she said.
“My grandmother was quite a good actress in her day – not that she ever talked to me about it, so I believe that’s where my love of performing comes from.”
After moving to Toowoomba in 2009, Ms Bravery made her debut performance with the Choral Society in Les Miserables, and went on to join its contemporary choir, before becoming the youth choir conductor in a matter of months.
The now 54-year-old fulfilled the conductor role until 2021, went on to direct 13 at the Empire Theatre and has missed only one musical with the Choral Society since 2009.
Last year, the talented performer was honoured for her contributions to the society and was awarded a life membership with the group.
Working as a music tutor at The Glennie School and Toowoomba Anglican School, Ms Bravery also offers vocal and strings training.
But her love for the performing arts is a shared passion with her children also performing in shows and her husband working behind the scenes, helping build sets.
“The society totally shaped us and my entire family have been involved in one way or another so the people involved have really become part of our family,” she said.
“We have made lifelong friends who have been there for us when things haven’t gone so well and we’ve watched each other’s children grow up.
“There is nothing more joyous than doing something you love with people doing something they love too.”
Ms Bravery will reprise the role of the wicked, scheming Madame Thenardier in the Society’s 90th anniversary production of Les Miserables.
“I feel so lucky to be able to play this character not once but twice,” she said.
“It has been incredible to work with such a talented group of people – the cast is like a who’s who of musical theatre in Toowoomba and (the audience) will be blown away by these singers.”
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