HAIRSPRAY MUSICAL

Production 2020 – Hairspray

Well, what a year it has been for productions and the arts throughout the world in 2020. After an awesome start with a cast of over 110 and doing a fresh new musical of ‘Hairspray’, we were due to go on in Week 4 of Term 2. But then the big C happened and it was up in the air if we were to go on at all. We had to wait until we were at Level 1 Alert to even restart rehearsals, and most schools around the country just cancelled all productions for the year. But with the backing of Villa and STC, we were given the go ahead.

Back to rehearsals it was. Mondays, Thursdays and all day Sundays we were at Villa (who kindly allowed us in to their auditorium early to make up for lost time) singing and dancing our hearts out. The quality was a bit dodgy for a bit and there had to be a reshuffle as we lost nearly 40 cast members due to other commitments. Most of the STC boys showed their mettle and kept it up though. Finally, after some work, it got good. The dress rehearsals were solid and our opening night was amazing. A big crowd that had a lot of energy, and an awesome performance from all.

And then. Just as we were all packed up and ready to go for the night, absolutely fizzing from success we got the message that the country was back in to Level 2 as a minimum. No crowds. No audience. No show. We were all gutted.

With a bit of patience and negotiation the show did go on, albeit in a limited way. We got to do 2 performances just for a Villa audience, and then just for an STC audience. No mixing of the bubbles!! The students watching were enthusiastic and joined in, and the performers got to feel that they had some reward for the hard work.

I was really proud of everyone for sticking with it and giving it their all, and the final product was excellent. The planning for Beauty and the Beast is underway now, and then in 2022 it’s STC’s turn again. The wealth of talent is growing, and I’m so grateful that so many of our boys take the opportunity.

Ms Smith