WANT to know where all the kids are? Well, they’re off-the-streets and very busy!
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Very, very busy rehearsing and performing the Carillon Theatrical Society’s production of High School Musical and they are having a ball!
The width and variety of the talent here in Bathurst is exceptional and, except for the three adult roles which are relatively incidental to the story, the entire cast consists of teenagers, and what fabulous performances ensue.
It is a Romeo and Juliet story without the unhappy ending. It’s “Basketball Guy” versus “Freaky Maths Girl” – with both groups believing that the other totally sucks, all of which is totally disproved once the music starts and the tappy-tap-tap of a hundred feet begins.
The new girl in school Gabriella Montez (Laine Redden) meets Troy Bolton (Patrick Selmes).
She is the maths brain, very smart and beautiful but aware that society expects her only to look good, not be good.
He is the basketball jock and only the basketball jock, but when they meet, it is “lurve” at first sight!
They are brilliantly suited to their roles and very ably supported by Alexandra Dunkley as Sharpay Evans, the talented self-confident “miss” planning to take on the world on “her own terms” who is accompanied by her dominated twin brother Ryan Evans, played by Charlie Dunbar.
The main characters are supported by the ladies and gentlemen of the ensemble who bring a breathtaking enthusiasm to their performances.
The three adult roles are Coach Bolton, played by Mick Rossitt, who finally learns a thing or two from the younger set; Ms Tenney – science mistress played skilfully by Janelle Sennett, and Ms Darbus the Merciless played superbly by Kellie Dunbar.
It is obvious that the “students” are having such a great time and, like most of the audience present, I was tempted to leap up and join in the fancy footwork on stage.
With the addition of some very smart and clever lines it makes for a great deal of fun and enjoyment.
The thunk-thunk-thunk of dribbling basketballs has been inspiringly used by Andrea Wills, whose choreography is superb throughout and at all times supported by Michelle Griffin and her musicians playing their hearts out.
Scenery and stagework are brilliant – much of the scenery borrowed from throughout Australia – and the stagework very thoughtfully provided by Jacinta Bentley and Emma Mason as co-directors and Annabelle Green as stage manager, all of which adds to the multi-layered complexity of the entire piece. It really is a feel-good show.
The show opens tonight at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre and ends on Sunday, June 28. Tickets are selling fast so you will need to get in soon so you don’t to miss out.
It does seem that the streets of Bathurst must have been emptied with so many clever and talented (dare I say brilliant?) young people busy strutting their stuff and it is so overwhelmingly addictive! Enjoy!