Above: Re-living their bubble-gum days, teachers Lyn Baker and Kerry Davies had a role to play.
By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE High School’s August initiation into the world of musical theatre was a spectacular success.
In what principal George Perini said was a departure from the school’s traditional production style, director Christopher Shute took a talented and enthusiastic cast of students, and equally enthusiastic audiences, on a fun-packed musical journey with “Back to the 80s”.
Mr Perini said the school tapped into the students’ love of singing and dancing. “From the first meeting it was clear that there would be no problem in casting the show,’ he said.
The cast sang and danced their way through 27 80s classics starting with Wham’s Wake Me Up before You Go Go and closing with a spectacular BackTo The 80s Megamix finale.
In between audiences tapped and clapped along to songs including Mickey, Video Killed The Radio Star, Let’s Hear It For the Boy, Nine to Five, Material Girl and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
Mr Shute said the students approached their first major musical with excitement and some reservation but remained dedicated through four months of rehearsals and a production week that would frighten even the most seasoned performer.
Back to the 80s started with a matinee for local primary school students and played to three packed audiences over three nights.
Mr Perini thanked Mr Shute, the cast for their commitment and perseverance, and the many other students, teachers and staff involved.
“It takes many others to successfully organise a musical, everything from music, stage and set design to lighting, audio and costumes,” he said.
He predicted that musicals would be the way of the future at Healesville High School.
“I think you can see from the fun everyone had in putting this show on, that it’s the way we will continue,” he said.
