During the past two weeks the Mt Ridley Campus Sports Centre has been transformed into a grotto of fantastical under-sea delights with performances of the three Primary productions.
An adaptation of the fairytale written in 1837 by Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen, Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr tells the story of Ariel, an adventurous mermaid who dreams of living on dry land. Almost 200 years since the original was written, the themes of Andersen’s tale endure today as Ariel makes mistakes, faces difficult choices, explores love and relationships and, ultimately, finds her voice. The relevance of the story made it an excellent choice for the 2024 Primary productions.
Over eight nights, our 1,566 Primary students across all three campuses experienced performing on a large stage to even larger audiences, showcasing their talents in singing, dancing and acting.
Our students have engaged in the production with great enthusiasm. From auditions to rehearsals and the final performances, all students have immersed themselves in every aspect of the musical. As a result, the three productions of Donnybrook, Kalkallo and Mt Ridley Primary sections were an outstanding success. Our audiences have been genuinely surprised and elated by the depth of talent we have, even in our youngest students.
Behind the scenes, and over a period of many months, a team of volunteers – including all Primary school staff, Secondary staff, parents, and Secondary students – have worked tirelessly to bring the underwater setting to life. It is important to recognise the creative vision and skill of the three Directors. Although each production shared sets and props, class items and costumes were completely different, which allowed for the distinct creative flair of each campus to be showcased. Congratulations to Helen Hatzikalis (Donnybrook), Rachel Smith (Kalkallo), and Leyla Chapman (Mt Ridley); the productions marked each of their directorial debuts, and we thank them for their tenacity, energy and creative vision that were so evident in the final products.
The impact of any theatrical production extends far beyond the stage; our students have gained confidence, collaboration skills, and a sense of accomplishment from their involvement. This production will undoubtedly become a memorable highlight of their schooling years.
