Schools on Stage

Essgee’s Pirates of Penzance

By W.S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Additional material by Melvyn Morrow. Directed by Lisa Laurino. Gibney Hall, Trinity College, Perth, WA. May 10-12, 2018

Perth’s Trinity College is renowned for its excellent choirs and music program, but it has not produced a musical since 1995. With Pirates of Penzance it has relaunched its school production with a bang.

Disco Inferno

St Edmund’s College, Canberra and St Clare’s College put on a production of Disco Inferno to packed crowds in May 2018.

Disco Inferno tells a classic tale of redemption. After the hero sells his ‘soul’ for the promise of fame and fortune and everything that comes with it, he soon realises that the quick fix he asks for is not the answer. With the fame and fortune come the trials and tribulations which ultimately lead him to the realisation of being careful what you wish for.

Thoroughly Modern Millie

New Music by Jeanine Tesori. Book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan (+lyrics). Iona Presentation College. Directed by Joshua Brant. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. Mar 23-25, 2018

We Will Rock You (School Edition)

By Queen and Ben Elton. The Kings School and Tara Anglican School for Girls. Directed by Michael Terzo. March 2018

This production had a level of technical resources which mainstage theatre companies would struggle to match. As you can see from this picture, The Kings School theatre has five pin point laser lights that beamed down to simulate electronic jail bars. Other rays and assorted lights stunned the audience and twirled away during a giddy extravaganza that also included on-stage fireworks and oceans of fog.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Book by Linda Woolverton.Mandurah Baptist College. Directed by Kyle Retallack, Musical Direction by Nerida Middendorp. Lakes Theatre, Lakelands, WA. March 16-24, 2018

Mandurah Baptist College’s production is a large scale, feel-good show with lots of community involvement and showcases some excellent performers.

Performed in MBC’s own Lakes Theatre, a 1200 seat venue that most schools would envy, the production uses a nine piece music ensemble made up of both students and staff.

2017 Schools Spectacular

Retired Performing Arts Teacher Carol Wimmer enjoyed the awe-inspiring extravaganza of music and movement, light and colour from the 2017 Schools Spectacular, showcasing the talent and diversity of the teachers and students from NSW public schools.

The Schools Spectacular is a wonderful, awe-inspiring extravaganza of music and movement, light and colour, imagination and creativity. It’s also a very special celebration of the talent and diversity of the teachers and students from NSW public schools.

Choosing and Budgeting a School Musical

Mark McDowell from Yourshow Pty Ltd has some handy hints.

Budgets for school musicals are usually set in stone, i.e. “the same as last year”. The bean counters will tell you the maximum you can spend and that is that.

International Junior Theatre Celebration

Saturday 21st Oct, 2017 – Aotea Centre, Auckland. Saturday 28th Oct, 2017 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle.

OzTheatrics and AMICI Trust, in collaboration with international partner iTheatrics and sponsor Music Theatre International, Australasia, will present the second annual Junior Theatre Celebration in October.

Annie

Book by Thomas Meehan. Music by Charles Strouse. Lyrics by Martin Charnin. Directed by Fiona Mahl. Canberra Girls Grammar School. September 14 – 16, 2017.

This is a fun production of what is now a classic musical, and it is perfect for many students to participate in. It is greatly to the credit of Canberra Girls Grammar School that not only are many students performing on stage, they are also in the orchestra led by the musical director Natalie Guile.

Grease

By Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Cecil Andrews College. Directed by Celeste Underhill. Cecil Andrews Performing Arts Theatre. Sep 14-17, 2017

Cecil Andrews College presented Grease (the schools version) in their performing arts centre. The students, who are part of the Specialist Performing Arts Program, performed with dedication and enthusiasm.

There was a great atmosphere at this production, with its wonderfully decorated foyer and warm and inviting front of house.