Operatic couple Peter Coleman-Wright and Cheryl Barker are once again captivating audiences with their performances, this time in Leonard Bernstein’s poignant one-act opera, Trouble in Tahiti. The production, which explores a troubled marriage through a jazz-inflected score, is currently being staged at the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst by Endangered Productions.
The couple has a rich history of performing together, dating back to their early days in the arts. They first shared the stage at just 14 years old in a production of The Boy Friend at Geelong’s Belmont High School. Since then, they have built a successful career, performing at some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses.
Their latest role sees them embody the characters of Sam and Dinah, a couple trapped in a loveless marriage. Barker describes the material as “bleak,” noting that the opera concludes with an emotional weight that resonates deeply. “It does leave you a little depressed at the end because they are wanting to get together but they can’t,” she explains. Despite the heavy themes, she emphasizes the beauty of the music, stating, “It’s worth it just for the music.”
The couple’s chemistry on stage is a result of both their personal and professional lives intertwined over more than five decades. Coleman-Wright humorously recalls their dynamic during a performance of Tosca in 2002, where Barker, playing the title role, approached him with a prop knife. “When we started, she came at me with this knife and it was so vicious I said, ‘No, we’ll have to get a fight director,’” he recalls with a theatrical wince. Barker adds with a laugh, “It was my vengeance, and I got all my frustrations and fury out and left it on the stage. It’s so cathartic.”
As they reflect on their long careers, both artists express gratitude for the opportunities they’ve had. “We were really lucky that we were able to go from job to job to job,” Coleman-Wright says. In contrast, he observes that today’s performers often face long gaps between roles, making it difficult to remain in prime condition for performances.
After a demanding night on stage, the couple finds solace in an unlikely snack. “We’re usually starving,” Coleman-Wright admits, revealing their post-performance ritual of sharing Vegemite on toast and a glass of wine. This simple pleasure, he notes, helps them unwind after intense performances filled with emotional highs and lows.
As they continue to navigate their artistic journey together, Peter Coleman-Wright and Cheryl Barker remain a testament to both the challenges and rewards of a life dedicated to the performing arts. Their ability to work through personal and professional struggles has only deepened their bond, making their performances all the more compelling for audiences.
