Marina Prior

Marina was studying for her Bachelor of Music at Melbourne University when her first professional audition gained her the female lead of Mabel in the Victoria State Opera's The Pirates Of Penzance. She was subsequently invited to perform the role of Guinevere opposite Richard Harris in Camelot. She then went on to perform the characters of Jellylorum and Griddlebone in the Australian premiere production of Cats, Josephine in the Victoria State Opera's production of H.M.S. Pinafore, Kathy in the Lyric Opera of Queensland's The Student Prince and Adele in the Victoria State Opera's concert version of Die Fledermaus.

In 1987, Marina landed the role of Cosette in the Australian premiere of Les Miserables and at times appeared as Fantine in the same production. During this run, she took time out to play Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes. Marina created the role of Christine Daae in the original Australian production of The Phantom of the Opera, which she performed for three years. Following this theatrical success, Marina went on to star in roles such as Maria in West Side Story, Lily in The Secret Garden, Magnolia in Showboat, the title role of the Merry Widow and Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls.

One of the many highlights of her career was a critically acclaimed Australasian concert tour with international tenor, José Carreras. Other concert engagements include performances with the Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the concert version of Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods in which she sang the role of Cinderella.

Marina is also well known on Australian television through her appearances on variety shows such as Good Morning Australia and Carols By Candlelight. As well as heading several television campaigns, she made a guest lead appearance in the award winning ABC Television series, G.P.

Marina has recorded three CDs accompanied by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra:
Leading Lady, Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Somewhere – The Songs of Sondheim and Bernstein. Leading Lady reached platinum status and Aspects achieved an ARIA nomination.

She has received numerous awards including three MO Awards, two Green Room Awards, and the Advance Australia Award for her contribution to the performing arts. In 1999, Marina was guest of honour for the television program This Is Your Life which paid tribute to her career so far.

Marina recently performed the lead role of Jane Smart in The Witches of Eastwick at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne. Later this year, she will appear in Noises Off at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne before travelling to Sydney to play the role of Mary O’Hara in Harp on the Willow with the Ensemble Theatre.