It is heart-breaking news about the legendary entertainer, Rob Guest’s sudden death.
Record-breaking performer as Wizard in the sell-out musical Wicked, died in hospital after suffering a stroke at his home on Tuesday night. The 57 year old died after collapsing at Vincent’s Hospital’s intensive care unit.
His partner, Kellie Dickerson, who is the show’s musical director, when he collapsed about 10pm.
We all know well for his outstanding lead role performance in The Phantom of the Opera for record 2000-plus performances over seven years.
Australian producer, John Frost, told the cast about Guest’s illness on stage at the Regent Theatre after yesterday’s matinee performance.
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in 35 years in the theatre,” he said. “Everyone was very emotional because Rob is such a father figure to the company.”
Guest has more than 35 leading roles to his credit and has performed around the world.
The English-born star started his career as a pop singer in New Zealand in the 1970s and featured in popular television shows before moving to Las Vegas in the ’80s.
His career moved up a gear when he was cast as Jean Valjean in the Australian production of Les Miserables, winning a Green Room award in 1991 before taking on the role of the Phantom.
In 1994, Guest received an OBE for services to the New Zealand entertainment industry.
After leaving Phantom he played Jean Valjean again in the 10th anniversary Les Miserables production that toured Australia and New Zealand.
His last role as the Wizard will be filled by his understudy, Rodney Dobson. He was a close friend of Guest’s after they performed together in the Australian anniversary tour of Les Miserables.
Wicked had a box office record from its first week when it took $1.7 million after its July 12 opening.
The return now stands at nearly $27 million with more than 300,000 tickets sold. Another 80,000 tickets have just been issued and Frost says each show is a sell-out.
RIP.
