Toowoomba Anglican School to premier 2024 musical Pirates of Penzance at Empire Theatre
Toowoomba Anglican School students will be proving they’re the “model of a modern major-general” when the school’s production of the Pirates of Penzance kicks off this week.
Schools Hub
Don't miss out on the headlines from Schools Hub. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s taken more than three months of work and hours of hours’ worth of rehearsals, but the students of Toowoomba Anglican School are ready to light up the Empire Theatre over the next two nights.
More than 60 students and multiple faculty members have been involved in the school’s production of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic The Pirates of Penzance, which premieres on Thursday evening.
The musical tells the story of Frederic, who is about to be released from his apprenticeship to a band of loveable pirates due to turning 21, only to find out his birthday being on a leap year means he will be indentured to them until he is 63.
TAS deputy head of school and creative team member Trina Faint said the musical, which includes the famous Major-General’s Song and other classics, was chosen due to the large ensemble cast and lighthearted tone.
“It’s the Simon Gallaher version, so it’s a little bit more rock and roll and a bit more tongue in cheek,” she said.
“It’s a great show, it’s well-known and the ability to have a large cast is important.
“From musical to musical we try to do something different, and the script is wonderful and the music is great.”
Ms Faint said the production had been notable for the collaborative approach of the creative team, which she said had led to excellent performances by the main cast.
“I’ve been involved in many school musicals, but with this one we have a creative team, so everyone is very supportive of each other,” she said.
“We work collaboratively rather (in silos) where a director does this and the choreographer does that.
“We help each other with everything, so it is a collaborative creative team.
“Our lead cast do extra rehearsals and their character development has been outstanding, they’ve been developing their characters — each one is special in their own right.”
Tickets are still available for both nights, which can be bought at the Empire Theatre’s website.
More Coverage
‘Hurt or killed’: Parents push for 40km/h school zone on highway
Parents at a primary school along a national highway have called on the government to drop the speed limit to 40km/h and introduce cameras, fearing a student will either be hurt or killed.
Elite Toowoomba school reveals new principal in 15-year first
One of Toowoomba’s top private schools has announced its new principal for 2025, snagging an experienced educator from one of Brisbane’s most prestigious colleges.
Top 10 worth $1b: Toowoomba’s richest schools revealed
Toowoomba’s richest and poorest schools have been revealed, showing the top 10 have a gross combined income of more than $1 billion. SEE HOW YOUR SCHOOL COMPARES
‘Let you define you’: High School Musical on Stage coming to Empire Theatre
A Toowoomba girls school is ready for the curtain call at the Empire Theatre in their production of Disney’s High School Musical on Stage.
School investigates after students hurl racial abuse at mum in park
A mum’s afternoon at a Toowoomba park turned into a horrifying experience when uniformed school students hurled racial abuse towards her and her children.
‘Inspirational’: Almost $100k raised in school shave
Students and staff from a Toowoomba private school have brought out the clippers, snipped off their locks, and reached almost six figures in their shave for cancer. PHOTOS.