THE biggest production ever by Warrnambool’s Primary Performers group will be staged this week with the musical Masquerade unleashing a riot of colour and movement at the Lighthouse Theatre.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The cast for this year’s production is 102, the largest ever, and the musical includes not only singers and dancers but also jugglers, gymnasts and a band of recorder players.
Co-director Kerry Ziegeler said Primary Performers stood by its code to never refuse any local primary pupil wanting to take part and had expanded the number of roles to incorporate the 102 performers.
Masquerade is loosely based on the Mark Twain novel The Prince and the Pauper, it’s story of a prince swapping places with a pauper when a circus comes to town carrying the message that everyone is equal.
Masquerade is the 13th Primary Performers production with Kerry and Richard Ziegeler as co-directors, who this year have Liz Jackway as a fellow co-director.
Mrs Ziegeler said being part of the big community effort that brought Primary Performers productions to fruition still gave her a lot of satisfaction.
All of the work involved in the productions is carried out by volunteers, from the sets to costumes, and the program is supported by Warrnambool City Council.
“We have grandparents doing costumes. We have older brothers and sisters who performed in earlier productions coming back to help,” Mrs Ziegeler said.
She said the big demand for places in this year’s production reflected a growing appreciation among young people of the opportunities to take part in the local performing arts.
The fact that all three shows to be performed tomorrow, Friday and Saturday are sold out also show the program’s popularity with the public and schools.