Te Awamutu Intermediate School’s Bats: The Musical cast pictured backstage last week. Photo: Supplied
Te Awamutu Intermediate School’s own “cross between Hotel Transylvania and Dumb and Dumber, with a sprinkling of Bugsy Malone” has received excellent reviews.
Bats: The Musical wrapped up last Thursday after its three-day showing, and director Tracy Ellis told The News on Friday watching the students go from strength to strength had been amazing.
Though not set in a specific time, Bats: The Musical was a “definite comedy”, she said.
“It was very funny and, at times, quite crazy.”
Audiences were taken on a journey which relayed how the remote village of Humperdink, in the shire of Engelberta in the Transylvanian Alps, has survived for centuries by growing grapes.
And even though they could boast about Count Dracula’s castle, no one really seemed to care.
All told, about 90 students aged 11 to 13 – a total which also included a range of other backstage roles – were involved in bringing the production to the Te Awamutu Intermediate School stage.
Ellis started initial preparations over the Christmas break, and – following an audition process in the first term – the cast rehearsed for 10 weeks.
“Our audiences definitely laughed a lot. “I think the children didn’t realise how funny it was until the adults were there. From my perspective, I just feel really proud, especially when you can see how much the students have grown.
“You see them finding confidence and making friendships, and hearing feedback about how much the audiences loved it makes a real difference. Most importantly too, everyone had fun.”
She has been part of the Te Awamutu Light Operatic Society, Talos, for several years, portraying roles in many productions in town in that time.
Put simply, she loves the stage.
“And by helping to facilitate the production here at school, I’m able to share that passion and love with the next generation, which is fantastic,” she said.
When Educating Rita was held at the Little Theatre, for example, she played Rita.
“There’s so much incredible acting talent here at school too.”
Te Awamutu Intermediate School holds a production every two years.
