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BGS PERFORMANCE
BGS PERFORMANCE
Hitting the right note in China During the first term holidays, 52 music students and 6 teachers from Brighton Grammar and Firbank Grammar, embarked on a concert and cultural tour to Hong Kong and China. The first five days in Hong Kong were intense with little time to rest. The schedule included playing at a primary school where the group was entertained by an amazing Chinese Drum group, performed at two high schools and in public at the Avenue of Stars on Hong Kong Harbour. Captain of Music, Hank Kim (Year 12), explained “The second outdoor concert was a highlight for me because we relaxed a bit more in the informal environment so I believe we played better, impressing the hundreds of spectators who were enjoying a Chinese public holiday.” The second part of the tour was seven days in Shanghai, China where the touring group performed at some more schools and
undertook lots of sightseeing. Prior to each performance the School Captain of the host school would welcome and introduce the touring group to the assembled staff and students. This was always done in English. In return, our Year 12 students took it in turns introducing the various parts of the concert in both English and Chinese. According to the students, other highlights of the trip included the special friendships formed on the trip. “Everyone fitted in and was involved. We really got to know each other and see the different talents at Brighton and Firbank,” reflected Hank. “Travelling with the girls really added to the trip”. Most importantly, the students experienced the intense schedules some musicians undergo and also learnt to work together as a team. Once that was achieved, special friendships were formed and the memories that students came back with will never be forgotten.
Little Shop of Horrors The musical comedy, Little Shop of Horrors, was a brilliant choice for the 2012 Senior School production between Firbank Grammar School and BGS staged in the Rosstrevor Hall. Cast superbly, the fast paced, energetic show was fun to watch (and no doubt even more fun to be part of) leaving audiences in awe with the quality of the talent – particularly of the lead roles. Hank Kim, playing the unlikely hero, Seymour, and Madison Hamilton, playing his co-worker and eventual love interest, Audrey, were both excellent. They had strong voices, great timing and loveable characters. They were supported by Carson Lewis, who almost seemed to enjoy playing the demented and cruel dentist just a little too much! The florist shop owner, Mushnik, played by Mark Lutjen, was very believable and Patch Clapp nailed the radio DJ and narrator roles. The whole production was tightly tied together with the singing, dancing, talented Audrettes from Firbank. And of course the real hero of the show was Audrey II (pictured below), the ever growing,
Rock Around the Block ill-tempered, foul mouthed, blood eating plant. It was magic to watch the chemistry between puppeteers Hannah Bullock and Wesley Naylor, with the R&B singing and rather sexy voice of Andrew Alesi, normally known for his opera! Congratulations to the cast, crew, Director Peter Wiles, Musical Director Rodney Ford and Production Manager Ross Vernon for putting on such a great show.
ABOVE Madison Hamilton and Matilda Byrne. ABOVE RIGHT Carson Lewis and Hank Kim.
below The trip culminated with a river cruise around Shanghai city. By this time the group really knew each other and had become a 'team'.
BELOW The Cast of Little Shop of Horrors.
The very entertaining 2012 Firbank and BGS Middle School production ‘Rock Around The Block’, was like a cross between the 1970s sitcom Happy Days and Grease, with many toe tapping tunes from the 50s showcasing the amazing talent from both schools. The production involved over 100 students in the cast, backstage, lighting, make-up, front-ofhouse, dancers, pit choir and the band. Highlights included the burgeoning romance between Gracie (Stevie-Lou Arnswerth) and George (Lachlan Collie), the talented Ziggy Springer (Nick Semmens) and his sparkly 'Startlets', the 'Teen Queens', led by Ashleigh Baker and the Rebel Crew, including Sinbad (Michael Goetz), and the Beatniks (Alex Adams and Mattieu Spiers). Donald (Marshall Stannus), Virginia (Keziah Melvin), Louise (Sienna Parrot), Jughead (Charlie Levine) and Officer Moore (Stephen Allen) also provided many comic moments, as did Gracie’s best friends, Evelyn (Lily Richard) and Rose-Marie (Laura Darras). This entertaining show was directed by Firbank teacher Michele McNamara who was supported by former Firbank graduates (Jess Doutch and Siobhan Barnes) who helped direct and choreograph the show. RIGHT A memorable scene from Rock Around the Block. BELOW The Cast of Rock Around the Block.
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