Toowoomba Anglican School students perform Guys and Dolls at Empire Theatre
A Toowoomba school is set to blow the region away with its rendition of a Broadway classic. We profile the cast and the iconic roles they’re taking on.
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In a world of missionaries, crap games, prolonged engagements and surprising love matches, a Toowoomba school’s production is set to blow the crowd away.
Toowoomba Anglican School Year seven to 12 students have worked hard for more than six months to bring the world of Guys and Dolls to the Empire Theatre this week.
Set in the 1950s, the story follows a group of gamblers and the women who fall in love with them.
Six TAS students have spoken on how they landed their big roles in this week’s production, and what is in store for them in the future.
Sam Lawrence
Year 11 student Sam Lawrence was selected to portray lead character Sky Masterson – a gambler who has been tasked to take Sarah Brown on a date, or fork out $1000.
Sam has been involved with numerous school productions in the past, including Beauty and the Beast, and Joseph.
Although he was happy with whichever character he was chosen to play, Sam said he loves the camaraderie that occurs when people come together to create something.
“Everyone gets it and gives it a go, which makes it more fun and more exciting,” he said.
“We’re all trying to achieve something, and you have lots of different people come together. It’s a lot of fun.”
Sky Masterson is described as being quite a smooth being whose luck never seems to run out. He is slick, charming, and Sam said he has loved playing the character and is excited to present him to the public this Thursday and Friday night.
Into the future, while Sam said he may continue to be involved in the performing arts as a hobby, he is interested in pursuing a university degree in science.
Nala Splettstoesser
A character full of personality and heartache over her longtime engagement is Miss Adelaide, played by Year 12 student Nala Splettstoesser.
At 16 years old, Nala was happy portraying either Miss Adelaide or Sarah Brown, but said the former personality made it a fun opportunity to bring to life.
“She’s a tough one to relate to, but she’s so funny, that it is so much fun pretending to be her and really embodying her character traits,” she said.
Miss Adelaide is a singer in New York City who has been engaged to craps game organiser Nathan Detroit for 14 years, but has been unable to get him to commit to marriage.
Nala has performed in previous school productions, but took a chance in her final year.
“I thought, let’s go for a lead and see what happens,” she said.
“I’m really happy to be playing Miss Adelaide.”
Nala will be taking a gap year after school, and plans to pursue a career in international relations, with the possibility of continuing a hobby in the performing arts.
Oliver King
The funny fifth-wheel in a world of craps games and blossoming love, Nicely-Nicely Johnson is the loyal friend of Nathan Detroit and portrayed by Year 12 student Oliver King.
At 17 years old, Oliver has been involved in many productions during his life, including Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Empire Theatre last year.
“I really get to pretend to be someone else for a bit, which is a lot of fun,” he said.
“I really enjoy singing song in character, and mixing song and dance when performing is a bit of fun.”
Oliver felt that he was able to relate to his character Nicely-Nicely Johnson through their optimistic nature and funny personality.
“If anyone is having a bad day, I like to be a bit optimistic and help make someone’s day better,” he said.
Oliver said though he has a strong love of performing, particularly as a tenor, it would continue more as a hobby after graduating school.
Oliver is hoping to attend the University of Queensland and study physiotherapy.
Ella Findlay
A love of performing was discovered quite young for Year 11 student Ella Findlay, who portrays Sarah Brown in the Toowoomba Anglican School production of Guys and Dolls.
Dancing since the age of two, and practising vocal training from five years old, Ella said she had found her calling in life.
“Being able to express myself through creating music, dance and performing while making other people feel how I feel through my performances … it’s what I love the most,” she said.
“This is my life. I want to keep singing and performing for the rest of my life.”
Ella plays Sarah Brown, the girl next door who works at the Salvation Army missionary.
She is sought out by Sky Masterson, and Ella has described her as being quite conservative, shy, quiet and sensible with a somewhat closeted upbringing. Her world is spun upside down when she falls for Sky, leaving her questioning the rest of her life.
“I really resonate with her,” Ella said.
“She’s very stubborn and strong-willed, and I see that in myself too. She’s a lot of fun to play.”
Ella said her strongest inspiration is Taylor Swift, particularly in the way she presents herself to the world and her presence onstage.
“My parents got me a record player with a Taylor Swift album, and that’s what made me go, I love singing and performing,” she said.
“(Taylor) lights up on stage and is always true to herself. She’s inspiring.”
Ella hoped to study performing arts specialising in vocal work after school, and pursue a career on the stage.
Darcy Mergher
A past performer in a Brisbane production of Les Misérables, Year 10 student Darcy Meagher has taken on the roll of crap game organiser Nathan Detroit.
Darcy said he went out for the auditions hoping for Nathan, and the role allows him to let loose and have a bit of fun with exploring the character.
“Acting really gives me the opportunity to express who I want to be and I can be someone else for a bit,” he said.
Nathan is engaged to Miss Adelaide, through for 14 years has held off marrying her. In order to organise a crap game and securing the required deposit, Nathan makes a deal with Sky Masterson to date Sarah Brown.
Darcy has goals to remain involved with the performing arts into the future, despite plans to pursue science as a career.
“I’m really hoping to maintain the performing arts aspect as a hobby because it increases my skills a lot,” he said.
Grace Murphy
Year 11 student Grace Murphy has a driven passion in the performing arts, and was delighted to secure the role of Lt. Brannigan – a police officer determined to outwit and bust the gamblers.
With a deep love of musicals and performing, Grace has worked hard over the years to strengthen her skills, including with the help of an outside drama teacher.
“I get to be someone who isn’t me,” he said.
“I find myself to be a bit boring sometimes, and its interesting to play characters who have all these different layers and personality to them.
“I love seeing where I can take these characters.”
Lt Brannigan spends the play trying to locate the floating crap game, and arrest the gamblers – causing issues for Sarah and Sky’s blooming romance.
“He’s always striving for something,” Grace said.
“He knows exactly what he wants and exactly what he needs, and I like to think I’m a very driven person like him.”
Though Grace hoped to pursue a career in teaching, she has applied for casting networks and television spots.
You can see the cast in the Toowoomba Anglican School performance of Guys and Dolls at the Empire Theatre Thursday and Friday night from 7pm.
Tickets are available through the Empire Theatre website.
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