ANNA Kerrigan, the artistic director of ASPIRE, the program that gives students at Newcastle and Hunter Catholic schools the chance to perform each year in a major theatre production, got the idea for this year's show from her three-year-old son's determination to wear a hero cape to the various places they went throughout 2018.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The very different reactions of other young people to his use of that garb often had her smiling.
The show, 365 Questions, Issues and Good Deeds, is being staged at Newcastle's Civic Theatre from Wednesday, July 31, to Saturday, August 3, with three 11am matinees already sold out.
What's On: The best things to see and do in Newcastle
As the 365 in the title indicates, the story looks at the interactions of young people over a year when they get together in venues that include food courts and parks.
Ideas that they voice early in the year invariably change as time goes by - and so do their relationships.
Anna Kerrigan notes that there are six main story threads, with many of the incidents drawn from comments by the 150 cast members, including a 25-member band, and the 20 offstage and design students who look after the set and costume changes.
There are six main story threads, with many of the incidents drawn from comments by the 150 cast members, including a 25-member band, and the 20 offstage and design students who look after the set and costume changes.
The students are in years 5 to 11 at 25 Catholic schools, and many travelled long distances to attend rehearsals.
Connor Langley, 15, is in year 9 at St Clare's High School at Taree, and has been travelling to Newcastle for rehearsals one day each week since February. This is his fourth year in an ASPIRE show.
Theatre and Arts: Newcastle's arts and culture scene
He said that many of the songs, which include new and well-known numbers, are set in places that only exist in people's imaginations.
And they do things such as taking part in a burger-eating competition, which leads to the establishment of a social justice committee that is concerned about the impact such events have on issues such as climate change.
Katie Matthews, 15, a year 10 student at Adamstown's St Pius X High School, said her character, Lavinia, and another girl, Adriana, are rivals, seeing who can get the most attention from boys throughout the year.
People coming to see the show will be greeted by four-piece band in Wheeler Place.
Tickets through Ticketek.
While you're with us, did you know The Herald is now offering breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up-to-date with all the local news - sign up here.
IN NEWS TODAY:
