MASTER
OF THE HOUSE - Stephen "Styne" Ashton is Thenardier
Originating
from Penrith, Styne’s first theatre experiences were in Sydney with
The Rocky Horror Show, playing Franknfurter and Riff Raff,
and Jesus Christ Superstar, playing Pilate and Judas.
Styne first came to Tasmania in 1985 with his show band ‘The Blues
Brothers Revival’, in which he plays (to this day) the part of Jake
Blues. ‘The Blues Brothers Revival’ has toured extensively around
Australia and overseas, remaining one of Australia’s most popular
and successful entertainment outfits.
In between tours, Styne formed a five-piece band in Tasmania known
as ‘The Legends’. This was the real beginning of character acting
talent - taking on the voices and appearances of various artists
including Joe Cocker, Freddie Mercury and Alice Cooper.
Additional theatre credits include: Trial by Jury, South Pacific
and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Gilbert and Sullivan
Society Tasmania); Hair, H.M.S. Pinafore and Beauty
and the Beast (Hobart Repertory Society); Les Misérables,
Annie, ‘Allo ‘Allo, The Sound of Music, Are You
Being Served and Murder on the Nile (ExitLeft
Productions); Grease (Pierrot Productions); the 2002 Uni
Revue (Old Nick Company).
In November 2002, he was able to share extensive knowledge of
martial arts when he was asked to direct the fight scenes for
West Side Story at the Theatre Royal. He has since been
fight-coordinator for Shakespeare’s Troilus & Cressida (Old
Nick Company) and Cats (ExitLeft).
Styne looks forward to playing the sinister villain audiences love
to hate in this enormous production of the timeless classic that is
Les Misérables.
