Schools on Stage

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

By Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. Newman College. Directed by Dixie Johnstone. Marist Auditorium, Newman College, Churchlands WA. Dec 2-6, 2020

Newman College’s production of Matilda carried the motto “Shine Through Discovery” and was guided by Matthew 5:16 “Let Your Light Shine”. In addition, the programme tells us that the students are encouraged to Challenge-Collaborate-Create and Celebrate - perfect guiding principles, not only for the uplifting themes of Matilda, but in particular, for this joyous, beautiful production.

Getting to Know Footloose The Musical

Adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. Music by Tom Snow. Cecil Andrews College. Directed by Sarah Humphreys. Cecil Andrews College Performing Arts Theatre, Armadale, WA. Nov 27-29, 2020

Blood Brothers

By Willy Russell. Willeton Senior High School (WA). Directed by Stefan Brand. 30 October 2020

Trackers

By D. Hughes. St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls. Directed by Sharon Kiely. Joy Shepherd Performing Arts Centre, St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, Mosman Park, WA. Oct 17, 2020

Trackers is St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls’ first ever Year 7 and 8 production, and played for just two performances, to nicely distanced audiences. The World Premiere of this play, the students were able to work with playwright Donna Hughes and contribute to the development of the script.

School Musical in Pandemic

In June 2020, one of the only places in Australia where theatre was able to take place was in the Northern Territory. Students at Taminmin College in Humpty Doo (40 kilometres from Darwin) were lucky enough to get their musical to the stage.

Rehearsal For Murder

Adapted for the stage by D. D. Brooke from the television play by William Link and Richard Levinson. Directed by Stefan Brand. Willeton Senior High School Performing Arts Centre. 18 September, 2020

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, Book by Doug Wright. Directed by Madelaine Jones, Musical direction by Tammy Van Der Nest. Lake Joondalup Baptist College, Performing Arts Centre, WA. Sep 1-5, 2020.

Lake Joondalup Baptist College presents this Covid delayed production to enthusiastic, responsibly distanced audiences. A huge production, with an impressive social conscience, it is a delight to watch.

Chicago (High School Edition)

By John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. John Curtin College, Fremantle. Directed by Natalie Edmunds. August 12-15, 2020

John Curtin College of the Arts’ production features the most synchronous, hard-working and focused ensemble that we are likely to see in Perth this year. A highly polished production, directed and choreographed by Artist-In-Residence and former cast member of Chicago on the West End, Natalie Edmunds, this was a show in which the 31 cast members gave their all, throughout.

Queensland Theatre Tours Schools with The Scene Project

Queensland Theatre has hit the road on regional Queensland tour to Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Ayr, Townsville, Toowoomba, Redland Bay and Brisbane with The Scene Project.

Over the past two months (during lockdown) 86 schools across Queensland have taken part in the 8-week digital unit, called The Scene Project, with Queensland Theatre. 

Bring It On

By Jeff Whitty, Tom Kit, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Amanda Green. John Curtin College of the Arts, Fremantle, WA. Directed by Dhana Pitman, Musical Direction by Harry Oliff. Curtin Theatre, John Curtin College of the Arts, Fremantle, WA. 5-8 August, 2020