Mietta White chats about THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera will be presented at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne following its record breaking season at the Sydney Opera House. From November 2, audiences will experience one of the most successful and much loved musicals of all time. 

Based on the classic novel Le Fantôme de L’Opéra by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command

This production includes a 37 strong cast and 27 piece orchestra, making it one of the largest musical productions ever in Australia. The talented Australian cast is led by Josh Piterman in the coveted lead role of the Phantom while Amy Manford takes on the role of the ingénue Christine Daaé and Blake Bowden plays Raoul Vicomte de Chagny. Joining them is newcomer Mietta White in the role of Meg Giry, an aspiring ballerina and Christine’s best friend.

Mietta is a young passionate performer who has been dancing and singing at Centrestage Performing Arts School in Melbourne since 3 years of age. Mietta’s theatre debut was in the Melbourne season of Annie in 2012 with GFO, where she played the role of Kate.  Mietta’s television credits include a guest appearance in City Homicide for Channel 7, the role of Middle Girl in My Beautiful Blue Eyes and a lead role of Gabbi Ormond in Conspiracy 365 with Director Paul Goldman. Mietta has also appeared in television commercials, short films and voice overs and will soon appear in the role of Paige in the feature film The Red Shoes. Initially cast as Becca in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie which was postponed, Mietta is now very excited to be playing the role of Meg Giry in Phantom Of The Opera.

Can you tell me about your background with performing?

Mietta: I was lucky enough to be born into a family where musical theatre was not only loved but was both of my parents passions and careers. With that, from the moment I remember I have trained under the guidance of them and many others through Centrestage Performing Arts School and more recently their full-time musical theatre course Showfit.

Phantom marks both your professional and leading lady debuts! What has been the most challenging part of this process?

Mietta: Managing expectations! As it is my first leading role, but also my professional musical theatre debut it has been filled with many moments feeling like a fish out of water and constantly seeking out advice from those with a few more years on them. Doing any show (or anything) 8 times a week means there are going to be good days and bad days, but sometimes my perfectionist mind struggles to accept that.

And the most exciting?

Mietta: All of my firsts, my first cast, my first opening night, my first theatre (THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE), my first wig… and the list goes on!

Do you see any of yourself in Meg?

Mietta: Sometimes a little too much… the feisty dynamic that Meg shares with her mum, Madame Giry sometimes reminds me of my upbringing with my mum as my dance teacher. Only that in my real life, my mum and I would spend hours after class in the studio dancing for the fun of it.

What is your favourite moment in the show?

Mietta: The final moment of the show really grounds me into my reality of how lucky I am to do this as a job, as I reveal the Phantom.

Why should audiences come and see The Phantom of the Opera?

Mietta: This iconic musical is the epitome of escapism entertainment. All you need is a night out to the theatre to be reminded that it’s vital that we keep our imagination and inner child alive

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The Phantom of the Opera opens at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne on November 2nd.

For tickets and more information, visit www.thephantomoftheopera.com.au

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Header photo by Daniel Boud