Honor Non Honores
Mission An Anglican community inspiring every learner every experience every day
Vision To be a leader in Christian education that is characterised by a global vision that inspires hope
Values Commitment Compassion Courage Integrity Respect
We acknowledge the Dharug, Darkinjung, Wonnarua and Yolŋu peoples who are the traditional custodians of the land on which Barker College, Darkinjung Barker, Ngarralingayil Barker and Dhupuma Barker stand. We pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging of the Dharug, Darkinjung, Wonnarua and Yolŋu nations and extend that respect to other Indigenous people within the Barker College community. Indigenous Australians have a rich history of storytelling, educating their children and sharing law, history, spirituality and morals through stories, song and dance. Inspired by this rich tradition, tonight these students will be sharing their stories. We hope you enjoy.
Welcome
I am delighted to welcome you to tonight’s performance of Age is Revolting. This imaginative and thought-provoking production explores growing older, and the identity, memories and relationships that accompany us throughout our lives. For our Year 9 students, it has been both challenging and rewarding, asking them to navigate humour, magical realism and reflection while bringing imagination and sensitivity to the play’s complex and deeply human themes. Under Director and Drama teacher, Skye Wilson’s expert guidance, our students have found both the joy and tenderness within the work. The production beautifully balances wit and whimsy with deeper emotional themes, revealing a story that is playful and entertaining, yet ultimately invites us to reflect on ageing, human connection, and the relationships between generations. I extend my warm congratulations and thanks to Skye for her thoughtful leadership of this production.
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Our talented cast, dedicated crew and Barker Drama technical team have brought this production to life with creativity, energy and great commitment. Tonight is a celebration of their many talents, and we give thanks to God for the giftedness of our students and their dedication to our community. Enjoy the show.
Phillip Heath AM Head of Barker College
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Director’s Note
What an honour and privilege it is to be the director of the 2026 Year 9 play here at Barker College. Having only started teaching Drama at Barker this year and to be asked to direct was truly a daunting yet incredibly exciting opportunity that I simply had to accept. ‘Age is Revolting’ by Abi Zakarian is a play from the National Theatre connections 2024 collection of short plays written in London for young people. In deciding what play to choose for this opportunity, I wanted something with heart, humour and hidden complexity, a play where the Year 9 students could have fun playing interesting characters and at the same time a play where they could find connection and new perspectives on their relationships with themselves and others. This unique mix is exactly what I found in ‘Age is Revolting’. The play is about revolting against stereotypes and emphasises that people are still themselves no matter what age, perhaps a wiser and more ‘lived’ version, but still in their heart the same person they have always been. The play is about identity and memories, about how we are always ourselves, in every moment of our lives even as we age and society begins to tell us our worth, we should cherish the moments and relationships with our elders as we have much to learn from them. The play aims to express the importance of listening and spending time with grandparents and family to learn about history and culture and to not take those moments with them for granted. A lesson I hope the cast, crew and audiences can take away from this performance.
I instantly adored the many magical layers and whimsical elements in the play and the playfulness of having life-sized old childhood toys mixed with a magical teacher able to send her students on a time travelling journey with a piano to learn about different perspectives all centred around an aged care home on stage! Magical realism at its finest! I hope this is a reminder to our audiences to connect with their inner child, tap into their imagination and stay connected to their childhood and who they are. Perhaps remember their own favourite childhood toy! Bringing this interesting, enchanting, short and sharp one-act play to life on stage I knew would be an enjoyable and unique experience I am incredibly proud of the Year 9 students who showed such enthusiasm for this play from the very first session from the musicians, tech crew and of the course the fantastic energetic cast right up until the performances. I ask you to be open to the magical situation of the play and allow the grounding moments to remind you to stay connected with who you are and with your elders. Skye Wilson Director
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Cast and Roles Sayuri Orfanos Miss Manoukian
Sammy Henry Barney’s Mum/Elder
Addy Chen Mo
Ivy Jones Rachel/Classmate
Zoe Leighton Arpi
Micah Mills Ernie/Classmate
Alexis Hughes Barney
Eliza Ware Childhood Toy
Annie Bell Nina
Nina Bartolo Childhood Toy
Oscar Ryan Bob
Claudia Maestre Childhood Toy
Mia Lai Hopsy
Yuhan Shi Childhood Toy
Thomas Porter Albert
Heidi Gordon Childhood Toy
Anna Hudson Carer 1
Holly Higgins Classmate
Ava Beattie Carer 2
Iris Young Classmate
Chloe Wang Carer 3
Maddie Shaw Classmate
Justin Moody Tai Chi Instructor/Classmate
Lachie Duffy Classmate
Olivia Kim Arshaluys
Ellie Scott Elder (Louella)/Childhood Toy
Harry Condell Amoy (elder)
Emma Van Son Elder (Judy)/Childhood Toy
Kate Chappel Takush /Classmate 8 I Year 9 Play 2026
Band Members Piano Zachary Chen Violin Johnathan Yin Cello Dylan Yuen Alto Saxophone Nic Weatherall French Horn Olivia Kim Drums Joshua Weatherall Gabby Turner Music Coordinator Johnathan Yin Music Arrangement: Dylan Yuen, Johnathan Yin Original Compositions The Last Hours Borrowed Years Continuum Voyage Composed by Dylan Yuen
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Production Crew Director Skye Wilson
Assistant Stage Manager Charlotte Menzies
Sound Design & Operator Isaac Biden-Kumar
Set Design Skye Wilson
Deputy Stage Managers Sophie Johnson Eva McNamara
Poster Artwork Elise Hun
Set Construction Dugal Parker Technical Director Dugal Parker Producer Libby Wood Stage Managers Livvy Ting Zak Kudric
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Props Manager Leah Miller Stage Crew Rowan Palethorpe Sam Conn Costume & Makeup Persy Price Lighting Operator Gabriel Ackland
Photography Grant Leslie Videographer KJR Productions
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With Thanks to... Phillip Heath AM, Head of Barker College, for his passionate belief and ongoing support of the Arts Deputy Head Operation, Natalie Potent and Deputy Head People & Culture, Alison Binet Simon Thompson, Anika Banerjee, Taylor Herbertson & Libby Wood Barker Executive Team and Barker Council Barker Drama and Dance Staff for their encouragement, unstoppable energy & commitment Barker College co-curricular staff for their support and understanding, the Sports, Cadets and Music Departments in particular Barker Communications Barker Printroom Barker Catering Barker Facilities, Cleaning staff & Security Barker Student Services The parents and families of our cast, crew and creative team for their continued support, patience and enthusiasm during the rehearsal process and performances A special note from the playwright Abi Zakarian from London to our cast, crew and audiences. “I’m always thrilled to hear when a school or drama club has chosen to perform Age is Revolting; it’s a play that’s really dear to my heart for many personal reasons, and so finding out that the Yeat 9 students of Barker College in Sydney were going to be doing it, it filled me with such joy. Also: Australia! I’ve never had a play on in Australia, so thank you Year 9 students at Barker for giving me a premiere there! I hope you’ve all enjoyed exploring the play, connecting with the elders in your lives, making discoveries, and creating your no doubt unique and fabulous version of it. I also hope you’ve found a resonance within it that you’ll carry through until you’re in your own elderhoods, and that you will absolutely continue making mischief and memories along the way. Age is Revolting was written to try and remind us that no matter what changes come and go in our lives, we are finite but remain endless in ourselves. I wish I could be there to see the show, but in my absence I wish you all huge success with it and have a fantastically riotous time performing it- remember, age is nothing but a number! Abi Zakarian Ps. Manoukian is absolutely a witch.”
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+61 2 8438 7999 barker.college
October 2026