Georgian Bay District Secondary School students and staff are excited to be getting back into live theatre mode.
During an afternoon rehearsal this week at the Midland high school, drama teacher and production director Betony Main discussed some of the finer points the cast and crew should concentrate on as they prepare for Thursday evening’s unveiling of their version of Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical.
“It’s really funny and silly,” Main says of the musical that’s described as a “captivating masterpiece” from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.
Main and a team of other school staff are leading the cast of 24 students along with a 10-member student band and a team of 11 students working on the technical side of things as they prepare to present the musical described as a joyous romp packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs.
“This is our first musical since the pandemic,” says Main, who can't hide her enthusiasm for getting back to performing live after staging a virtual play last year (The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon).
Main says that when they first opted to stage the musical last September they weren’t sure whether the pandemic would allow them to perform before a live audience this time around.
“I’m beyond thrilled,” she said. “It was scary in September to be taking this on in May. But we’re really excited to be putting this on. Our hearts are really full.”
Grade 10 students Julia McCarthy and Brennan Bielefeld likely spoke for the rest of the ensemble as they echoed Main’s words.
“It’s great to be back,” says McCarthy. “I love live theatre so it’s nice to be back in person. I was pretty confident in the show going forward (back in September).”
McCarthy and Bielefeld play two of the musical’s primary characters in Miss Honey and Mr. Wormwood.
“We’re all really happy to be back performing,” Bielefeld says. “I love the story about being able to stand up for yourself and make a difference.”
Adds McCarthy: “I love my character Ms. Honey. It’s fun being able to challenge yourself with a new character.”
As for the storyline, the musical follows the life of Matilda, a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly lovable Miss Honey.
Over the course of her first term at school, the pair have a profound effect on each other's lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize, but also appreciate Matilda's extraordinary personality.
School life, however, is not without bumps on the road as students must cope with the school's headmistress Miss Trunchbull, who hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those not abiding by her rules.
But through it all, Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace.
The curtain drops Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. on the school's stage with a matinee performance slated for Saturday at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children and students with those two and under admitted free.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
