Latter-day Saint to Play Fantine in Melbourne Production of Les Misérables

Performer Patrice Tipoki Arkins is preparing to play Fantine in Les Misérables when it opens next week at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre. 

The New Zealand-born Australian singer says this is a role she has wanted to play since she was a little girl.

Known to Australian audiences for her lead roles in The Lion King and Wicked, she has been preparing to play Fantine for over 20 years. 

She first saw Les Misérables in Brisbane at the age of six.  From that point she would perform songs from the show for anyone who would listen.

In a recent article in The Weekly Review, the singer talks about her career so far, and her faith and family.

“Throughout her career,” the article reports, “Patrice has remained true to her Mormon faith…her faith informs everything she does.”

In a video she shot for Australia’s Mormon Newsroom website, titled, “Why I Believe,” Patrice talks about the value she places on her roles as wife and mother.

“I’ve had a career in the music industry and musical theatre. . . I’ve spent a lot of time on the road and it’s really opened my eyes to what’s important.”

“I know,” she continues, “that I can be with my family forever if I do my best while I’m here and make choices that can stand me in good stead to be worthy to spend forever with them.”

Patrice recently told Mormon Newsroom, “Being back at work with this particular musical, now, with two kids, I wouldn’t be able to do that without the love and support of my family.  It is so important to have them with me.  Rehearsals and teching take long hours and late nights.  Having family here to help with my children means I know they’re being lovingly cared for when I cannot always do that.”

“One of my favourite lines in Les Mis,” she continues, “is one of the last ones I sing, ‘To love another person is to see the face of God.’ I really believe that!”

Watch a video on Mormon.org of Patrice talking about her faith, family and career.