Junior Years Summer Show 2023 - ‘Annie’
The Junior Years’ pupils have been working hard on the production of ‘Annie Jr.’ We have been performing this week and the experience has been fantastic. The rehearsal process has been busy but amazing. It all started in February with auditions and casting. Soon after that the preparation started with blocking the first scene and creating the choreography for ‘It’s The Hard Knock Life.’ After drama rehearsals we would go to music to perfect our songs and friends would learn their solo parts and learn pitches.
On Tuesday, we started to perform it on stage and each performance has become better and better. The quick costume changes and mic changes have been mastered and everything was perfect. It is a surreal feeling to stand up on stage projecting lines and speaking into a mic doing what we all love.
The Lower Fifth have been a huge help with hair and makeup, and we are very grateful to them. Some of the hair was a bit crazy but it felt like our characters were coming to life. When we take our final bow at the end of the show it is an amazing feeling! They are all cheering for us and our show.
The whole experience has been great and I am going to miss the rehearsals and the nerves before going on stage.
Upper Third would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved who has made this production possible. A special thanks goes to Mrs Murphy and Mr Morley.
Olivia (Upper Third), May 2023
Kilgraston Junior School show - The Little Mermaid
Under the sea…in the marquee…
Disney’s classic musical, The Little Mermaid, splashed onto our screens for the Junior Years’ end of term production, ensuring everyone had an opportunity to shine on the sea bed.
Government rules don’t allow singing, a fact not deterring Music Director, Jason McAuley, sound-effects supremo, Jamie Pryke, or Drama Director, Carly Smith: “We had to think outside the box,” said McAuley, “In fact, we had to think outside altogether, recording the sound separately in a windy marquee on the school’s front lawns!”
Subsequent sound and visual synching took over 20 hours of editing, the end result a slick, half-hour ‘film’ worthy of Walt himself: “We’re pretty pleased with the results,” said Mr Pryke, “the children were amazing, so patient and enthusiastic. We asked a lot of them and they just gave and gave.”
The story swirls around troubled-teen mermaid Ariel, blessed with a beautiful voice (although, obviously, not utilised indoors!) harbouring a fascination for life on the land. Falling in love with Prince Eric, she’s prepared to sacrifice her impressive vocal-chords for a chance above the surface.
Tense moments ensue as Evil Ursula and her adoring acolytes have their doom-laden personas cleverly enhanced with lightening effects and seasick-inducing visuals: “Ill, insane or water on the brain?” words, sounds and lighting melding together.
But (spoiler alert) all’s well that ends well; a beaming Ariel, reunited with both voice and love-interest, bobs along on calm waters, while less tasteful sea creatures slither under their rocks.
A joyous, fun-filled production, packed with impressive performances, inspiring voices and extraordinary special effects.
The last year may well have blown us all a little off course, but everyone involved with The Little Mermaid certainly found their compass, a safe-passage found right to the very end of term.
Mairi Fraser
Nb. because of licencing restrictions, the production was only available to parents and guardians via a direct link. Apologies if you didn’t have the opportunity to view it.