Scotch College

Breaking news: Superstar comes to Scotch

Words: Mr Richard Beveridge

The award-winning Old Scotch production of Les Misérables last year was a resounding success, playing to full houses for the entire season. As a first of what we hope will be many productions over coming years this was a great way to start OSCA’s adventures in the performing arts. But every winning venture builds pressure and demand for a fitting sequel.

Planning has begun for the Old Scotch Music and Drama Club production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2009. As envisaged at this stage, the season of 10 performances will run from 16 to 31 October. All performances will take place in the magnificent Geoffrey McComas Theatre in the James Forbes Academy, a venue which has now proven itself ideal for productions on this scale.

Jesus Christ Superstar is a ‘big’ show in theatrical terms, with a large cast of singers and actors and a popular music score. We can guarantee that the quality of the production will be classified as amateur only in the sense that those on stage will be performing solely for the love of performance.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is a rock opera interpretation of the story of Jesus Christ, and the most famous of the collaborations of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The opera was a distinct first when it burst onto the theatre scene in 1971, significantly changing the dynamics of musical theatre. This revival is not to be missed.

The production will again draw on the interest and resources in the wide network of the Scotch Family – Old Boys, some current students and families. However, as this is an open audition, production members of the broader amateur theatrical community will be encouraged to audition. This will ensure that the cast, although remaining amateur, is of the highest quality possible.

We have been fortunate to have secured the services of Alan Burrows again as director of our production. Alan is one of Melbourne’s most experienced directors of amateur musicals, and winner of the ‘director of the year’ award from the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria.

Alan joins John Ferguson, musical director and last year’s recipient of the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria’s award for musical direction, ensuring that this will indeed be another remarkable production which will fully and expertly harness the professional facilities of the JFA.

Anyone who helped in the 2008 production of Les Mis will tell you that it was a richly rewarding and exciting experience. The Old Scotch Music and Drama Club will again be looking for voluntary help in the many backstage and pre-production roles necessary to support a professional production on this scale.

Cast auditions will be held in May. If you are interested in taking part in the production – on stage or backstage – please contact the producer, Richard Beveridge, on 0414 413 013, or preferably by email at rbevo@bigpond.net.au.

‘There are stars among us’. So put these dates in your diary – 16 to 31 October 2009. GS