For the first time since 2017, Marlborough Girls’ and Marlborough Boys’ Colleges are putting on a combined Junior Production.

The production is a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet (with apologies to Shakespeare.) It has been created by MGC teacher Shalom Del’Monte-Aberhart with input from several students; including the Creative Writing Club and the cast themselves.

The play is still set in Verona, but instead of a family feud keeping the young lovers apart, it is school rivalry. Winterville High - a rich private school - and Summerton College a public school - have been rivals on the rugby field for as long as anyone can remember. Their rivalry frequently spills out into public brawls which upsets the ruler of Verona - Duchess Antonia (played by Alya Burrows.) It also upsets her cousins, Viola (Emily Pitcon) and Olivia (Amelia Prentice) who are Verona’s social media superstars. They view the frequent fighting as bad for business and wish to bring peace to Verona.

Viola and Olivia decide to hold a masked ball to start the Spring Festival celebrations and hold a competition to win tickets. Romeo (Austin Quinn) and Juliet (Nova Bino) along with their partners Rosaline (Malin Svoboda) and Paris (Ethan Mills) win tickets.

It is at the ball that Romeo and Juliet meet, fall in love and then into despair as their friends and family - especially Romeo’s best mate Mercutio (Kalena Landen-Lane) and Juliet’s brother Tybalt (Annabelle Simmonds) - will never allow them to be together.

Students have been at the heart of creating this production. Not only have they helped with the writing of the script, thay have also helped the art teacher Wendy Murphy to paint the set. Two of her Year 9 Art classes and some individual students worked with Wendy and her husband Craig to create various locations such as the town square, Juliet’s house, the two schools and the ballroom. Students Chelsea Craig and Jessica Bell are designing costumes and technology classes are creating the masks that the students will wear for the ball. MBC student Bronson Blissett is working with other talented students to provide the music for the play, students will be working the lights and sound and running Front of House.

A big thank you to the many community members who are supporting the production with their skills. Chris Holdaway and Phillip Raynor are supporting the technical students, Geoff Anderson has taught the cast stage fighting and Dave Davidson is putting together the set.

After many years, it is exciting to see our Junior Production back with students so firmly in the centre and community support. Tickets are available from MGC finance office and will also be available at the door. The performances are at 7pm at the MGC Hall on October 26th, 27th and 28th. There is also a matinee performance at 3pm on Saturday October 28th. Tickets are $20 for an adult, $15 for a student and a family pass of 2 adults and 2 children is $60. Looking forward to seeing you there.