Curtain to rise on school's new musical

Published 5:00am 29 May 2022

Words by Ashleigh Howarth

Students from St Benedict’s College in Mango Hill have been busy rehearsing for their upcoming musical, which will be performed during the June/July school holidays.

The original production, titled Bluebell – The Musical, will be performed seven times at Redcliffe's Mousetrap Theatre between June 28 and July 2.

The school’s Culture Program Leader, Paula-Mary Camilleri, wrote the script and composed the songs for the show and students in the groups involved in the Co-Curricular Culture Program.

The drama students, musicians and dancers involved in the project have worked tirelessly during the past few weeks to orchestrate and arrange the backing tracks, assist with costume making and choreograph the show.

Paula-Mary says the show will be a cost-effective way for families to spend time together and have a few laughs during the school holidays.

“We wanted to create an affordable live theatre event for the young people in the Moreton Bay Region for the school holidays”, Paula-Mary says.

“There are very few performances for families to attend in the area so that children get the experience of live theatre.”

The storyline

The show is about an Australian bush elf named Bluebell, who has been gifted a magic wand by the Elf Queen.

She is excited to be able to use the wand responsibly to help her friends when they find themselves in difficult situations.

But as soon as Axel, the fox, hears about the wand, he sets about a plan to steal it.

The musical has been designed for young audiences, and features plenty of larger-than-life characters, colourful costumes and vibrant music.

A themed lolly stall and photo booth will complete the experience.

Stars of the show

Many students who are involved with the production are already no strangers to the stage, having worked with many theatre companies across the region.

Eli Ball, who choreographed and orchestrated the show, plays the role of the rainbow lorikeet, Skittles.

Eli has just finished his season in the ensemble of Priscilla – Queen of the Desert with Redcliffe Musical Theatre.

Sienna Randall, who plays Axel, is currently playing the character Louisa in Queensland Musical Theatre’s production of The Sound of Music.

Madeleine York, who plays Bluebell, is well known for her theatre and dancing abilities. She has won numerous singing competitions and eisteddfods.

Likewise, Ella Shegog, Abbie Gommers, Theo Hunt and Lauren Bull are all seasoned musical theatre performers.

Newcomer, Michaela Von Benecke, is excited to make her musical debut as Tinsely the mouse.

The tracks for the show were recorded by students at the College. Year 12 student, Angus Smith, plays both acoustic and electric guitar in the recording for the tracks. Angus has enjoyed the challenge of learning musical theatre and contributing ideas to an original show.