A 10-year project has come together for a husband and wife team who have created their own musical, which is being performed this week.
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Orange Christian School senior music tutor Phil Snitch wrote the music for and directed The Persian Queen, a musical that was written by his wife Cath and is based on the Book of Esther from the Bible.
The story is about the Jewish wife of Persian King Xerxes and her effort to persuade the king to retract an order to annihilate Jews in his empire.
Fellow Orange Christian School teachers and students are among the cast who are taking to the stage for the first set of performances of The Persian Queen at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre this week.
Many other cast members come from Bathurst and the Blue Mountains.
Mr Snitch said they started the musical about 10 years ago but have focussed on it more in the past five years.
"It's been a really big process," Mr Snitch said.
"In the first place, my wife just suggested it as an idea and I took up the challenge.
"My wife is very creative and I'm a music writer."
Mr Snitch said he has been involved with musical theatre for many years and Mrs Snitch used to be a minister and always loved the story of Esther.
"It's written for a full orchestra but on this occasion we cannot have them in the pit," Mr Snitch said.
"We have it all recorded which was a challenge in itself."
Mr Snitch said each character had their own musical theme and the musical combines a Middle Eastern style with a big band feel.
He said he and Mrs Snitch are putting on the musical themselves with the backing of Bathurst Regional Council and tickets are still available.
"We don't know where it's going after this, we are going to see what happens," Mr Snitch said.
"Without it hitting the stage we cannot show people what it's actually like."
The show launched on Thursday night, with further sessions on Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 1pm and 7pm and Sunday at 1pm.
Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for BMEC members/concession and $15 for juniors/students. To purchase, visit bmec.com.au.
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