Ever since the Harrisdale Senior High School Musical Theatre Club was launched last year, its members have walked with a little more spring in their step.
For them, the club is a spoonful of sugar that helps high school life go down.
“There’s no real words for how it makes us feel being a part of it,” one student said.
“It’s more than theatre (which we love) – this is a second family to us.”
“We feel really supported – everybody matches each other’s energy,” another explained.
“It’s really more like a safe space, and you don’t get a lot of that at high school.”
The Examiner had the chance to sit down with performers ahead of their upcoming production of Mary Poppins – which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
What’s immediately evident is that cast numbers have doubled since last year; a number of fresh-faced Year 7 students jumped at the chance to be part of the club after being in the matinee audience for last year’s production.
“I was lucky to be sitting in the front row of Aladdin and my mind was blown,” one Year 7 student said.
“Everyone was so in character. I honestly couldn’t believe it was put on by students, and that people got to do this for fun.
“I knew instantly that I wanted to be part of it when I started high school.”
For one Year 9 student, who unexpectedly stepped up to stage manage this year’s musical, being part of the club has opened up a whole new world.
“Something I didn’t know existed before is what I want to do as a career now,’ they said.
The second most apparent observation (after getting a sneak peek at a couple of numbers from the show) is just how in sync they all are while tackling some tricky harmonies, and equally complex choreography.
It’s not surprising, really; the cast might only officially rehearse twice a week, but unofficially they never stop.
For the past two terms since roles were cast, performers have lived and breathed Mary Poppins.
“Technically, we’ve upped our game,” one student said.
“There’s a lot more vocal harmony this year and we’ve been exploring a lot more dance styles – one thing that sets us apart from other schools is our choreography, thanks to our teacher, Ms Fordham.”
The students promise there’ll be more than a hint of magic, and are excited to gauge audience reactions this time around.
“We’ve worked so hard for this. We want audiences to be able to see that,” one student said.
“We also want people of any age to be able to connect to the story – the conflict is very real.
“But more than anything, we hope to inspire – especially the next group of Year 7s.”
Mary Poppins Jr will run over three nights at Harrisdale High’s Performing Arts Centre from November 28 to 30, with an additional lunchtime matinee on the Saturday.
Audience members have the chance to meet and take photos with the characters after the show and have programs signed.
Food and drink will be available to purchase during interval and upon the show’s conclusion.
Tickets are $10 and can be booked through www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1295085
