LESLEY BRAITHWAITE
Bastienna in 'BASTIEN AND BASTIENNA'
Lisa in 'COFFEE CANTATA'
Lesley dedicated many years finessing her skills as a dancer and choreographer in Australia and the United States and brings the wealth of this experience to her stage performances. While exploring the Tango scene in San Francisco she landed an unexpected gig singing in a bar, which inspired an ongoing fascination with the voice and the spellbinding potential of the chanteuse.
During her studies for a Master of Fine Arts at Mills College in California, she was awarded two consecutive Hellman Fellowships which provided a treasured opportunity to receive classical vocal tuition. Lesley recently featured as Pitti-Sing in the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Sydney's production of The Mikado and developed her acting talents in Virus – A Fugue.
DAMIEN HALL
Bastien in 'BASTIEN AND BASTIENNA'
Barman in 'COFFEE CANTATA'
Damien has sung with Opera Australia's chorus for the past 15 years. He started with the 2006 'Pirates of Penzance' tour, followed by opera and operetta in 6 Languages. He was featured in the Cockney Quartet for the 2008 'My Fair Lady' tour and performed at the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour five times.
He grew up in Canberra's rich amateur dramatic scene, with many opportunities to grow in roles such as Petruchio in 'The Taming of the Shrew' and Enjolras in 'Les Miserables'. In 2005 he was encouraged to apply for the Operatunity Oz competition, where he reached the semi finals and was invited to audition for Opera Australia.
For the last five years Damien has also sung with the 'Cantabile A Cappella Quartet'. Double Trouble was Damien's first appearance for Endangered Productions and is thrilled by the opportunity.
ED SUTTLE
Dr Colas in 'BASTIEN AND BASTIENNA'
Father in 'COFFEE CANTATA'
Ed started singing at a tender age at a small private school in England. If you could sing you were in the choir whether you enjoyed it or not. Fortunately, he did! He has sung first bass (although occasionally masquerading as a second bass and even a tenor) with the Sydney Chamber Choir since 2003 and is the choir’s regular bass/baritone soloist.
Ed has presented recitals in Sydney, Goulburn, and the UK. He has also sung in the Opera Australia chorus, and with Sydney Philharmonia Motet, Contemporary Singers, Cantillation, Australian Brandenburg Choir, Parsons Affayre, St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, and probably others he can’t remember.
Ed also ran his own Executive Search business for 25 years and he retired (yes, it is THE best time of life) in early 2017. He now runs a 230-acre Angus cattle property outside Goulburn with wife Jane. He also heads a group building Australia’s largest community-owned solar farm AND is Chair of the board of the Hume Conservatorium. Over the years he has developed a stiff upper lip and a very thick skin - physical attributes gained as a result of a lifetime supporting England cricket.