On 25 January 1988 Byrne performed at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in the "Royal Bicentennial Concert" for the Prince and Princess of Wales. Byrne was also portraying Fantine that evening at the Theatre Royal: she was required to "dash between her dying and ghost scenes of "Les Misérables" to sing a finale anthem" at the Australian Bicentenary celebration. Her backing group for the concert comprised 1500 children. In December 1989 "Les Misérables", with Byrne continuing her role as Fantine, began its run at Princess Theatre in Melbourne.