ISSUE 6 Galen Catholic College Newsletter
MAY 18, 2021
Neverland cast perform in Pan
A huge congratulation to all staff and students who were involved in the Junior Production PAN, culminating in Friday nights performance. I was an audience member at the 10.30am Matinee on Friday which was a novel experience having previously been on stage working with the band/singers for many years. I have seen countless times the positive impact these shows have had on our own students - cast, musicians, backstage. But what I haven’t been able to previously witness first hand was the joy amongst the young audience (Our Lady’s Primary students and others) watching the show. There were many moments when these students reacted enthusiastically, such as yelling out to the cast informing them where other cast members were hiding. Singing along especially to “Never Smile at a Crocodile”, and enjoying the close contact with cast members who ventured into the theatre such as in the fight scene and the Crocodile chasing Hook. This total engagement was exciting to watch.
The Arts is a wonderful vehicle for being able to express and feel a gamut of emotions whether you are giving (performers) or receiving (audience) and everyone involved should be very proud knowing that so many of those students will have left that theatre having been thoroughly moved and entertained. As for the young performers it was great to witness the start of a wonderful production journey that many of these students have just begun. The ultimate example is Des Flanagan who will be performing as the lead in Moulin Rouge later this year who began his journey in shows such as these. To the many staff members involved – well done as I know first-hand how much work you have all put in to make PAN possible and to allow our own students to have meaningful experiences. Many wonderful memories came flooding back to me as I reflected on my own journey in that terrific theatre. David Ashfield