12:00a.m. 5th October 2008

| Mark Bode

Emma Cooperthwaite, of Caloundra, pictured with the late Rob Guest. Photo: Che Chapman / 178691b

Emma Cooperthwaite recalls with fondness being hoisted over Rob Guest’s head as the musical theatre star made aeroplane noises.

The former Sunshine Coast Grammar School student, nine years old at the time, was appearing with Mr Guest in the 10th anniversary production of the legendary musical Les Miserables.

Like the rest of Australia, Emma is mourning Mr Guest’s sudden death following a stroke last Tuesday.

He was 57.

Eighteen-year-old Emma, who is enrolled at the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney, yesterday spoke of her memorable time with Mr Guest in 1999 and how it inspired her to pursue an acting career.

“He was always such a gentle soul,” she said.

Emma played the role of Cosette in Les Mis, the little girl who was adopted by Mr Guest’s Jean Valjean.

Always the consummate professional, there was a reason for his aeroplane hijinks and the other “silly things” he did with his little co-star.

Emma said he made the intensity of performing with renowned actors in front of hundreds of people less daunting.

“He made me feel so comfortable on stage,” she said.

“We had to form an instant bond and he made that really easy.

“The silly things he did off stage are what I remember.”

Emma said the death of Rob Guest – who held the record for playing the longest- running Phantom, an incredible 2289 performances over seven years – was a huge loss for Australian theatre.

“Such an amazing talent has been lost so young,” she said.

Emma said she could not help but be inspired by working with such a professional.

She said it had been an honour.

“It gave me a taste of what I wanted to do when I got older,” she said.

Emma headed to Sydney last year after finishing school on the Coast.

She is in the first year of her bachelor of music degree and is now more determined than ever to become a professional actor.

Mr Guest, no doubt, would be pleased.