Man of Steel

Man of Steel uses an icon that, even in this day, is recognised by every student, parent and teacher. It’s a simple story and it worked for the new-entrants in our matinees, as much as for the 80-year-olds in the evening shows. It lends itself to simple props and costumes, and the action carries the show.

The original script is easy to ‘update’ for local use and the actors enjoyed doing this themselves.

The songs are memorable and straight-forward. Our music teacher and the band enjoyed doing them so much (when they did West Side Story two years ago, they spent one weekend on one song, and still did not get it right for the shows). In fact, the band was singing along with a lot of the big numbers (they were irrepressible in the chorus of ‘Landlady Blues’ and their enjoyment was infectious for the whole audience). 

Our specialist dancers had no problem choreographing their chosen numbers. In fact, the show lends itself to the students doing much of their own staging.

Finally, from a director’s point of view, the back-up resources make it so much easier to tee up everyone and get things humming. We took nine weeks to rehearse the show and then it was conveniently out of the way, end of term 1. 

Murray Feast, Head of Drama, Morrinsville College.

Morrinsville College was also the first school in New Zealand to obtain the rights to Man of Steel, way back in 1983.

Hervey Bay High School, Queensland

I have directed 33 school musicals over the years and have found the perennial Man of Steel to be a quintessential example of the genre. We have staged it twice because of its immense appeal, not only to audiences, but to the cast and crew as well. The musical is populated with clever and amusing characters, as well as the classic superhero. The show contains everything required of a school musical – action, suspense, a love interest, humour (some of the best corny gags ever) and, catchy songs. The production can be easily or elaborately staged depending on the director’s discretion.

Mark Thomson

Hervey Bay High School, Qld.