Following hard work at rehearsals, girls from Junior Remove to Form III, Years 3 to 6, have enjoyed taking to the stage.
‘Moana is about way-finding and coming of age – what better time in a play to have that when the Form IIIs are moving into secondary school,’ said director Tom Cheshire. The performance included carefully designed costumes and props, with girls coming through the audience and using choreography to mirror the movement of waves.
‘Rather than having a big, lavish set, I wanted them to be storytelling through physicality,’ Mr Cheshire said.
‘We wanted to be really respectful to the story and the rich history behind Moana.’
Sienna Wallen, 11, looked forward to playing Maui in one of the evening performances.
‘It has been an incredible experience and we are all looking forward to it,’ she said.
‘The only bad thing about it is when it is going to end.’
With concerns about Covid, she was relieved that the production could still take place, particularly because of how excited everyone was when Moana was chosen for the show.
‘We were so happy to find out because it is such a great production,’ Sienna added.
‘Everyone has a part.’
10-year-old Clementine Gittins was excited to be one of the older ones in the production this year.
‘When we were in Junior Remove we always looked at what the Form IIIs were doing,’ she said.
‘Everyone has got more confident from rehearsals.’
Music director Jean Owen said the production involved learning songs in different languages.
‘I was delighted with the first performance and I thought there was lots of energy – they were buzzing,’ she added.
‘They had to learn the songs in a different language on top of the singing part.’
All juniors took part, she said, and she had seeing their confidence grow.
‘Some were starting with more chances to perform outside of school, but they come to school and everyone has to take part.’
Lottie Colmer, 10, played Maui in the other cast.
‘My favourite scene is probably when we are on the boat,’ she said.
‘It’s been really fun doing it with all our friends.’
11-year-old Beatrice Wilson, playing Moana, said a lot of work had gone into the production.
‘There have been a lot of lines to learn.’
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