Schools on Stage

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.

2017 Schools Spectacular Sets New Participation Record

Now in its 34th year, the popular live-and-televised extravaganza that is Schools Spectacular will star over 5,700 students including a choir of 2,700 voices, 2,400 dancers; a 100-piece symphony orchestra; world-class stage band, 44 solo singers and 145-featured dancers from public schools across NSW.

Last year marked an iconic chapter in Schools Spectacular history when their annual arena production broke the Guinness World Record for the Largest Variety Concert in the world at its new home QUDOS Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. 

The Little Mermaid

Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater. Book by Doug Wright. Mercedes College. Directed by Kathleen Cocks. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco WA. July 28-30, 2017

Mercedes College took their annual school production to the Regal Theatre for the first time, delivering a show with amazing production values, performances that belied the ages of the performers and amazing precision.

The Addams Family

Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Scotch College. The Fisher Chapel - Scotch College (SA).  28th July to 5th August, 2017

When asked to review a school production I am usually prepared to make allowances for the young performers’ capabilities and the available resources to mount full productions. In the case of The Addams Family I needn’t have worried though, the production was extremely polished.