Linden Furnell (RENT, Violet, Kinky Boots) awarded the 2016 Rob Guest Endowment Award!

The very talented Linden Furnell (RENT, Violet, Kinky Boots) has been presented with the 2016 Rob Guest Endowment Award at the end of another fabulous Gala Concert full of the young talents of the musical theatre industry!

The Rob Guest Endowment Award Gala Concert itself is always a wonderful night, spectacular for the six finalists who have the opportunity to show off their stuff, and spectacular for the audience who get to witness all this first hand and more!

One of the best parts is the pure comradery in the audience- everyone is there ready to support with their most excited cheering on full blast. Sure, some sections of the audience are obviously there for a certain finalists, but that doesn’t stop them from cheering loudly for the other five as well. And for the hosts, the guest artists and just about anything that happens really… It’s theatre community atmosphere at its best!

This year’s Gala was hosted by Wicked co-stars Lucy Durack and Penny McNamee who delight on stage looking stunning in matching gowns (two sets of matching gowns). The girls were having fun, and managed to turn their little mishaps into running jokes of the evening, a few favourites- “ugh high achievers”, “terrifyingly tough competition, I’m terrified”, and “… who donated vocal massages- just for the finalists, it’s not Oprah!”

We were also treated to some very exciting performances by guest artists (most dedicating their time despite it being their one night off in the week!) . The Matilda girls returned for a cute “When I Grow Up”, the Aladdin boys set hearts a fluttering with their song about friendship, and cast members from “Dream Lover” grooved out to a specially arranged version of “Dream Lover” led by Bert Labonte. Last year’s awardee Daniel Assetta also returned with a very well handled sing of “Out There” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame- a tricky song but one that showed how much he’s improved in just this one year! And just before intermission we were treated to a special performance by Paulini of “I Have Nothing” in anticipation for The Bodyguard and woah did she blow everything out of the water. A very well deserved screaming applause MID PERFORMANCE.

But this is really about the six finalists! And what performances did we have here! Discussing at intermission with a friend we commented on how each finalist had a strong point, and how different they each were-

Stefanie Jones is an incredibly polished performer and definitely the strongest in the dance aspect of the opening number- her long limbs, bright smile and ballet training clearly helping out. For her first song choice she choose a magical “Disneyland” which really helped show off her bright vocals. Her second “Funny Honey” from Chicago was almost a polar opposite, showing her capable versatility. For Du Toit Bredenkamp his acting and facial expressions during the performance were the strongest, coming through in the hopeful “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story, and his second choice- “Streets of Dublin” with a Dublin accent lending to a more passionate performance. Hilary Cole has definitely got characterization nailed, and her song choices were perhaps the most unique of the night- “As Long As He Needs Me” from Oliver and “Here I Am” from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. She also proved herself a true performer when a slight costume mishap hardly stopped her in her fabulous tracks at all! Matthew Predny had perhaps the most emotive and effecting performance of the night with “It’s Hard To Speak My Heart” from “Parade”. Having not heard this piece before I was still able to get a feeling for the character and his circumstances through Matt’s expressions and intonations. His second choice was the lively “What Do I Need With Love” from Thoroughly Modern Millie, which is always delightful!

Recipient of the Melbourne’s East End Theatre District Artist Development Award went to the exquisite Genevieve Kingsford and her standout vocals. Her first choice was from her current musical, same titled “The Light In The Piazza” (perhaps she could have been a bit more daring with her song choice here, but it was beautiful so who’s complaining). Her second was definitely more daring, “My Strongest Suit” from Aida, in which she had all the pizazz and glamour and rounded out vocals that she needed to bring this dazzling anthem home.

But Linden Furnell! Although perhaps not the most polished of the finalists, there is a genuinity and realness in his performances that really shines through, and definitely a lot of promise for his future. His first choice was the heartfelt “Part of the Painting”, which suited Linden’s style as a self-writing musician. His second choice was a favourite from The Last Five Years, a charismatic “Moving Too Fast”. Moving animatedly around the stage and throwing in the occasional charming ad lib without missing a beat (“you know who you are!” he calls out after the lyrics speak of an agent who loves him), his bubbly charisma was overflowing all over the place. In a shocked acceptance speech he explained that being the recipient was an “unpredictable honour” and that he thanks all those who have fed him during his shows at Hayes Theatre (we love you Hayes!!!). Personally though, I think he had it from the moment he did that high full side leap in the opening number.

And so concludes another wonderful year of the Rob Guest Award, we’re sure to see a lot more of these six faces! Looking forward to next year already, and as Linden made mention of this song in our interview here’s hoping that at next year’s concert gala he belts out “I Am What I Am”. I can’t wait!

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