Musical Theatre
Quast played the part of Javert in Les Misérables in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, on the Les Misérables Complete Symphonic Recording, and in Hey, Mr. Producer, a concert in honour of Sir Cameron Mackintosh. He has won the most Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Actor in a Musical, having won thrice for:
- 1991: for Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George in the role of George Seurat
- 1998: for the Dempsey and Rowe musical The Fix as Grahame Chandler
- 2002: for Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific in which he played Emille de Becque
Quast co-starred in the musical version of The Secret Garden opposite another famous Australian actor, Anthony Warlow. Though mainly a baritone, Quast has played some roles written for tenors, namely George (see above), Candide, and Neville in The Secret Garden. Although he is known for his serious roles, he has also performed comedic parts, such as his 2004 appearance as the pompous Miles Gloriosus in a limited run revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Royal National Theatre.
Philip Quast more recently played the supporting role of Juan Peron in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 2006 production of Evita at the Adelphi Theatre in London. He was nominated for an Olivier award for this role.
In July 2007, Quast performed the role of Judge Turpin in a concert version of Sweeney Todd at London's Royal Festival Hall.
Quast was most recently in the Menier Chocolate Factory production of Jerry Herman's La Cage aux Folles as Georges.
Quast rejoined the cast of La Cage Aux Folles on 4 May 2009 with Roger Allam. Coincidentally, both actors have performed in the role of Javert in Les Misérables.
From July 2010, Quast played Mr Banks in the Australian premiere production of Mary Poppins at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre. He won the 2010 Victorian Green Room Award (Melbourne's top theatre awards) for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance. He also won the Broadway World Australia 2011 award for 'Best Featured Actor in a Musical' for Mary Poppins.
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Dating from World War I—when it was used by U.S. soldiers—or before, the saying was associated with nightclub hostess Texas Quinan in the 1920s. It was the title of a song recorded by Sophie Tucker in 1927, and of a Cole Porter musical in 1929.
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