THE DAVID DARLING PLAY HOUSE
SYNOPSIS On a small Greek island, Sophie dreams of a perfect wedding — one which includes her father giving her away. The problem? Sophie doesn’t know who he is! Her mother Donna, the former lead singer of the 1970s pop group Donna and the Dynamos, refuses to talk about the past, so Sophie decides to take matters into her own hands. Sneaking a peek in her mother’s old diaries, she discovers three possible fathers: Sam, Bill, and Harry. She secretly invites all three to the wedding, convinced that she’ll know her father when she sees him. But when all three turn up, it may not be as clear as she thought! Told through the legendary music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! has become a worldwide sensation that has audiences everywhere dancing.
MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT ONE “Prologue: I Have a Dream” - Sophie “Honey, Honey” - Sophie, Ali, Lisa & Company “Money, Money, Money” - Donna, Tanya, Rosie & Company “Thank You for the Music” - Sophie, Sam, Harry, Bill & Company “Mamma Mia!” – Donna & Company “Chiquitita” - Tanya, Rosie, Donna & Company “Dancing Queen” - Tanya, Rosie, Donna & Company “Lay All Your Love on Me” - Sky, Sophie & Company “Super Trouper” – Donna, Tanya, Rosie & Company “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” – Sophie, Ali, Lisa & Company “The Name of the Game” - Sophie, Bill & Company “Voulez Vous” - Company
ACT TWO “Under Attack” – Sophie & Company “One of Us” – Donna & Company “S.O.S.” - Sam, Donna & Company “Does Your Mother Know” - Tanya, Pepper & Company “Knowing Me, Knowing You” – Sam & Company “Our Last Summer” - Harry, Donna & Company “Slipping Through My Fingers” - Donna, Sophie & Company “The Winner Takes It All” – Donna & Company “Take a Chance on Me” - Rosie, Bill & Company “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do” - Sam, Donna & Company “I Have a Dream (Reprise)” – Sophie & Company “Dancing Queen (Bows)” – Company “Waterloo” – Company
REBECCA CODY – Principal Family joy at GGS! To be part of a show like Mamma Mia! is a choice. Certainly, it is a choice of commitment. Definitely, it is a choice of courage. Absolutely, it is a choice to rally together, to learn, encourage, trust, strive and celebrate. It is also a choice to share in the laughter and lead a contagion of joy! Our Senior School Musical for 2021, in every measure, is a ‘family chosen’. This family’s travels to the David Darling Play House have tested one and all. Scheduling, rescheduling, adapting, shifting; these responses to change have been constant and I am so very proud of, and grateful to, everyone involved for their tenacious and positive spirit. In congratulating and thanking our cast and production team, led with a buoyant artistry by Ms Krieger and Mr Shawcross, and supported sensationally by Ms Barton, Mr Annis and Mr Harrop, I am mindful too of the generous extended family that is our School. Since March 2020 so many people have stepped up to care for our learners who have been unable to travel interstate or overseas.
Opening their homes to young people in need has been an extraordinary expression of what it means to belong and connect at GGS. Thank you for choosing kindness and selflessness; your example has been both healing and uplifting. Tonight, Geelong Grammar’s Mamma Mia! family brings a similar strength and confidence to our community. We are welcomed warmly and invited to share a little joy. It is family experiences such as these that nourish us and bolster us. To each and every member of this family chosen I say: Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty What would life be? Perhaps now, more than ever, choosing to be captivated by this joyous adventure is everything we need.
ALICE KRIEGER – Director It is my pleasure to welcome you to our production of Mamma Mia!, a musical feast of ABBA songs that we all sing loudly in the shower and can’t help but dance to with great enthusiasm! This year, our Senior School Musical celebrates the bond between mother and daughter, and the family we choose for ourselves. “I had a dream…” We left for Term 2 break with the completed show; we had rehearsed the dances, we had the singing down pat, and we had a firm grip on our characters. Upon returning for Term 3, however, we felt under attack with outbreaks of the coronavirus, lock downs and border closures. We continued to rehearse despite being apart, determined to put on the best show we could. “I’ve been so lucky; I am the girl with golden hair…” The cast are Super Troupers, whose hard work and dedication is reflected in the polished performance you will see tonight, each of them doing their part to build the world of Mamma Mia! and tell you the story of a little Grecian Island. I am so grateful to have been given the chance to work with each of them and have loved the energy they have brought to rehearsals. “I sometimes wish that I could freeze the picture and save it from the funny tricks of time…” To the Year 12 leavers, it has been a pleasure to work with you and watch you thrive on stage. I hope you feel we picked a good show in which to take your final bow as a student at GGS. To the Year 10s and 11s, I look forward to working with you again to tell another magical, musical story.
“Cause somewhere in the crowd, there’s you…” A Director cannot create the vision without a strong team behind them and I am lucky enough to have assembled the best. John - your expertise in music and all things musical theatre enriched each rehearsal and meeting. Thank you for your trust in me and for making the show sound amazing with all the beautiful tonal colours and sweet sounds of our company. Xavier - your cheery deposition made every rehearsal a pleasure and the students appreciated your patience and attention to detail. A production manager is basically a director’s right hand, and Katherine has been no exemption. You made every student in the cast feel special and noticed in the most beautiful way – thank you for being there for them while we ran with my crazy ideas and inspired moments. The world of the play cannot be fully realised without cohesion and consultation with the set designer. Steve, thank you for collaborating with me and bringing your extensive artistic talents and skills to the show. Without you there is no Greece, no Taverna and certainly no Jetty. “Couldn’t escape if you wanted to…” Thanks to my superb supporters, Michael and Nicholas. Thank you for always allowing me to bounce an idea off you, lending me your expertise and sharing your knowledge. “Mem’ries that remain…” Theatre is a collaborative art form with each contributing a piece, so to all those who helped, even in the smallest way, thank you for your piece – your work is bringing the vision to life!
JOHN SHAWCROSS – Musical Director Every time I see a musician - it doesn’t matter what age - that inspires me, there’s always a secret little wish that maybe we’ll play together, because that’s how I learn and grow… – Armando “Chick” Corea It has been a great privilege to be a member of the production team for Mamma Mia! The role of Musical Director allows me to work alongside two groups of students: the cast performing on stage and the band playing in the orchestra pit. All students, no matter their role in the musical, are to be commended for their unwavering dedication and effort in creating something of which they should all be immensely proud. I have been inspired by the ever-growing student-driven culture of performance for our musicians as demonstrated at the Battle of The Bands, House Music, Family Day, Discovery Day, school assemblies and many other community events. I am thrilled that there are 11 students (including three students from Middle School) playing in the band tonight.
MAMMA MIA! BAND Conductor/Keyboard 1 John Shawcross Keyboard 2 Michael Wilding Keyboard 3 Stacey-Louise Camilleri Keyboard 4 Paul McCarthy Zara Montgomery (Yr10 Ga) Jackson Clanton-Jones (Yr8 Hi)
Performing in a band or orchestra for a musical is an invaluable and enriching experience. Whether it be at a 7:30am rehearsal or during the arduous production week schedule, the students in the band have demonstrated reliability, a spirit of collaboration and a commitment to excellence – qualities that hold them in good stead not only as musicians but as young adults. I am hopeful that in the years to come more students will be inspired to be involved playing in “the pit”. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the eight adult members of the band who have mentored and supported our students. It has been a delight to bear witness to the joy experienced by the student musicians in the Mamma Mia! band, and to learn and grow with them throughout the year. I am certain that you too will experience the joy of music at Geelong Grammar School from the audience tonight.
Guitar Mark Benson Fred Parsons (Yr 12 A) Ben Wedgwood (Yr11 FB) Electric Bass Jeremy Alsop Jack Forsyth (Yr11 FB) Drums Will Conway Percussion Sean Loughran
Drums/Percussion Hamish Routley (Yr12 A) Violin 1 Stephanie Cho (Yr12 EM) Violin 2 Kathryn Fullerton Lana Karlusic (Yr7 Ot) Viola Emma Sin (Yr12 He) Cello Eryue Ni (Yr11 He)
DONNA SHERIDAN Charlotte Nicholson (Yr10 He) As a Year 10 student, Charlotte feels ecstatic about the opportunity to play the iconic role of Donna Sheridan. She has been giving it everything she’s got in each rehearsal and has stepped up to the enormous challenge of taking on this lead role. Charlotte loves singing and performing, which she showcased in her role of Kassim in Aladdin Jr. (2019). Charlotte sees Mamma Mia! as an opportunity to build connections and get to know Senior School students who share her love of musical theatre. She can’t wait for you to see the cast bring this wonderful show to life.
SOPHIE SHERIDAN Sarah Gubbins (Yr10 He) Mamma Mia! is one of Sarah’s favourite shows. When she was little, she used to watch the film all the time and learned the songs and dances off by heart. Now she’s ready to blow you away in the role of Sophie Sheridan, a dream come true for Sarah. She loved participating in the GGS Middle School Musical programme and was cast in the Ensemble of The Wizard of Oz (2018), and as the Genie in Aladdin Jr. (2019). Sarah hopes you love watching the show just as much as she loves performing in it.
TANYA CRESHAM-LEIGH Sophie Butcher (Yr12 A)
ROSIE MULLIGAN Ruth Scott (Yr11 Fr)
Sophie is taking on the challenge of her first proper lead role as the hilarious Tanya. Her performance experience is extensive; she was a member of the Company in Peter Pan (2015), All for the Best (2015), High School Musical (2016), This is our Story (2016) and The Little Mermaid (2017). She played the Doctor/Company in Sense and Sensibility (2019) and Kitty in Chicago (2019). Most recently, Sophie featured in a number of roles in the Year 12 Production of Hoods (2021) with her VCE Theatre Studies class. In Sophie’s words, Mamma Mia! has provided an environment for her to improve her performance skills.
Ruth describes Mamma Mia! as an action-packed musical full of upbeat songs and emotional ballads, and therefore she has loved being a part of the production this year. Ruth’s adoration for musical theatre is reflected in her long history of participation; she featured in the Company of Jungle Book (2012), Peter Pan (2014), Shrek Jr. (2016), The Lion King Jr. (2017), The Addams Family (2020), and played Aunt Em in The Wizard of Oz (2018). Now she is ready to tear up the stage as the lovable character, Rosie.
SKY Baxter Aurisch (Yr12 Cu)
HARRY BRIGHT Will Irving (Yr12 FB)
Baxter is the living proof that it is never too late to enter the magical world of musical theatre. A talented athlete, Baxter is most known as a member of the 1st Rowing crew and Football team. Mamma Mia! is a family favourite for Team Aurisch, so he knew he just had to sign up when the show was announced. Baxter has taken on the challenge of playing Sky and has worked hard with his fellow cast mates. As a Year 12 student this will be Baxter’s final show, but we are sure that the experience will spark a lifelong interest in musical theatre.
Harry Bright could not have been played by anyone other than Will. A Year 12 IB Theatre Arts student, he is an experienced performer and a keen thespian. You may remember him from his performance as the villainous Scar in The Lion King Jr. (2017). Mamma Mia! is Will’s final production at GGS, and he is savouring this opportunity as the last time he will get to perform with his peers. Will is hoping to pursue acting after Year 12, so he sees Mamma Mia! as a great deal of fun, but also as a chance to hone his skills.
SAM CARMICHAEL Samuel Gould (Yr12 Fr) Mamma Mia! is a family favourite for Samuel, so auditioning for the SS Musical this year was a no brainer. Prior to Mamma Mia!, Samuel enjoyed performing in a number of our Middle School Musicals. He played the Captain of the Guards in Shrek Jr. (2016) and starred as Simba in The Lion King Jr. (2017). A fan of Pierce Brosnan, he has taken to his role of Sam Carmichael with flair and ease. Pierce has got nothing on our Samuel!
BILL AUSTIN Jack Barber (Yr12 FB) One of the 2021 Drama Captains, the name Jack Barber is synonymous with Performing Arts at GGS. Affectionately known as Barbz, he brings a wealth of experience to the role of Bill Austin. You may recognise Barbz from such iconic roles as Shrek in Shrek Jr. (2016), Mufasa in The Lion King Jr. (2017), Sir John Middleton in Sense and Sensibility (2019), Amos Heart in Chicago (2019), and most recently from his Year 12 Drama Production of Hoods (2021). Mamma Mia! is Jack’s last musical, and he cannot wait to see how the audience reacts to the character of Bill.
LISA Angela Zhang (Yr12 EM)
ALI Coralie Bradnam (Yr10 EM )
EDDIE Sasha Breeze (Yr11 He)
As Drama Captain and a Year 12 IB Theatre Arts student, Angela has been a leader amongst the Mamma Mia! cast. Playing the fun-loving role of Lisa, Angela has been able to show off her immense acting and singing talent. Previously she has played the ugly duckling in Shrek Jr. (2016), Rafiki in The Lion King Jr. (2017), and was a member of the Ensemble in Chicago (2019). Angela finds the rehearsal process interesting and has loved watching Mamma Mia! come together from day one to the finished product on opening night.
Coralie is making her GGS Musical debut in Mamma Mia!, playing the super fun role of Ali, one of Sophie’s besties. Prior to her arrival at GGS, she played the roles of Flounder in The Little Mermaid (2017), and Nana in Peter Pan (2015); clearly Coralie has a penchant for starring as cute animal characters. She cannot wait to perform in the amazing David Darling Play House among her co-stars in Mamma Mia!.
Sasha is excited to be making her GGS Musical debut in Mamma Mia!, and she has taken to the stage like a natural. Cast in the role of Eddie, it has been a fun challenge for Sasha to embody a character so different from her. She is thrilled to be involved with the GGS Drama Department for the first time and has also very much enjoyed spending time with friends in the cast. Sasha cannot wait for everyone to enjoy our production of Mamma Mia!.
PEPPER Dibdin Fitzgerald (Yr10 Fr) Perfectly cast as the lovable goofball Pepper, Dibs has thrown himself into this comedic role. He has previously performed as The Mayor of Whoville in Seussical the Musical (2015), the Lion in The Wizard of Oz (2018), Razoul in Aladdin Jr. (2019) and most recently as Wayne Hopkins in the Year 10 Production of Puffs (2021). Dibs loves his character in Mamma Mia! and hopes you all enjoy watching our amazing show.
Zoe Armytage (Yr10 Fr)
Ellie Austin (Yr10 He)
Julian Bajer (Yr12 Fr)
Rosie Barber (Yr11 Cl)
Zoe brings her unique circus abilities to the Mamma Mia! Company. She is a featured company member displaying some of her impressive circus tricks. You might recognize Zoe from her previous Ensemble roles in The Wizard of Oz (2018) and Aladdin Jr. (2019). What excites Zoe most about Mamma Mia! is the beautiful costumes and set, which help bring the show to life.
Mamma Mia! will be Ellie’s first ever GGS Musical, and she couldn’t wait to join the cast. She has been a passionate and reliable member of our Company and has particularly enjoyed learning the dance numbers for the show. Ellie has been looking forward to the moment that it all comes together for opening night, and the audience gets to the see the result of everyone’s hard work and effort. As a Year 12 Theatre Studies student, Julian is very excited about being a part of the cast of Mamma Mia!. He loves getting out onto the stage and transforming into a different character. A seasoned performer, he has featured in the Ensemble of Shrek Jr. (2016), The Lion King Jr. (2017) and Chicago (2019), Sense and Sensibility (2019) and Hoods (2021). Julian loves being a part of the GGS Drama family. Ever reliable and so much fun, Rosie is a committed member of the Mamma Mia! Company. She has previously enjoyed acting on the GGS stage, appreciating her time in her time in the Wizard of Oz (2018) Ensemble. For Rosie, participating in the Senior School Musical is an opportunity to spend time with the cast, making connections across year levels. She is excited for the audience to see the amazing dance numbers in the show.
Charlie Cameron (Yr11 EM)
Charlie is making her debut in the Company of Mamma Mia!. A natural on stage, she has been an eager member of the company, with her love for the show shining through in every rehearsal. She has enjoyed collaborating with peers from different year levels and making new friends. Charlie knows Mamma Mia! backwards, as well as the film; she loves the ABBA tunes, and is so excited to help bring the show to life. Ruby has been an energetic and enthusiastic member of the Mamma Mia! Company. Rehearsing remotely, she kept the Mamma Mia! spirit alive. Ruby enjoys the high energy dance numbers in the show, and can’t wait to bring this magical musical to life in the David Darling Play House.
Ruby Casey (Yr11 EM)
Emilia Church (Yr11 Fr)
Mae Cowan (Yr10 He)
Sienna de Clifford (Yr10 A)
Indigo Devlin (Yr10 He)
As Dance Captain, Emilia has led our Mamma Mia! company with gusto. With 14 years of dancing experience, she has loved all the high energy numbers in Mamma Mia!. Emilia has studied ballet for 14 years, as well as tap, jazz, and lyrical dance. She has previously graced the stage as the Tin Man in the GGS production of The Wizard of Oz (2018), as well as performing in Guys and Dolls (2015) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2017). A brand-new member of the GGS Performing Arts family, Mamma Mia! is Mae’s very first production. She has been a dedicated member of the Company, thoroughly enjoying rehearsal time with old and new friends. Mae is very much looking forward to seeing the show come together and has relished her debut performance.
Sienna’s theatre experience is extensive; she starred as Young Fiona in Shrek Jr. (2016), an Ensemble member in The Lion King Jr. (2017), Glinda in The Wizard of Oz (2018), Jasmine in Aladdin Jr. (2019) and most recently as Hannah/Xavia Jones in the Year 10 Production of Puffs (2021). Sienna missed the theatre and longed to perform during 2020, and so she is so excited to be back on stage. Indigo is a spirited member of the Mamma Mia! Company. Prior to commencing at GGS, she has been involved in many productions in NSW. Indigo was a member of Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) from 2010-2016. She played William Frankenstein in Frankenstein (2014), the Lion in The Wizard of Oz (2016), and Cinderella’s Mother in Into the Woods (2019). Indigo is most excited about the costumes in Mamma Mia!.
Lulu DiSciascio (Yr10 A)
Xabby Dickinson (Yr10 He)
Lulu loves nothing more than dancing and singing with her friends. She has previously been involved in a number of GGS productions, featuring in the Ensemble of The Wizard of Oz (2018), and playing Omar in Aladdin Jr. (2019). Earlier this year, Lulu also starred in the Year 10 Production of Puffs (2021). In Lulu’s opinion, Mamma Mia! is one of the greatest musicals of all time. Xabby is a vibrant and enthusiastic first-time member of the Mamma Mia! Company. She decided to join in the production this year because she wanted to be a part of a show with such lively songs and dances. Congratulations to Xabby on being brave and stepping out of her comfort zone in the musical this year. The moment Xabby has been waiting for has arrived.
Seb Durran (Yr11 A)
Katya Ewing (Yr11 He)
Seb is excited to be a part of the Mamma Mia! cast. He has previously graced in the stage in The Lion King Jr. (2017) and The Wizard of Oz (2018) in the Ensemble. Seb is thrilled to be in a more modern musical than those he has done in the past. Seb has loved being a part of Mamma Mia!, and he is looking forward to performing in front of an audience.
Mamma Mia! is Katya’s first ever GGS production. She has, however, studied Drama and public speaking since Year 3, and this experience is evident in her performance in our production. Katya joined Mamma Mia! for the opportunity to participate in theatre, but also because she loves the songs. Look out for Katya in the Company of Mamma Mia!, as she lights up the stage with her electric energy.
Millie Forwood (Yr11 EM)
Claire Hamilton (Yr10 He)
Eadie Lindsay (Yr10 He)
Marlley McNamara (Yr11 Ga)
For Millie, being a part of the GGS productions is both fun and rewarding, especially this year as Mamma Mia! is one of her all-time favourites. Millie also played the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (2018). For Millie, being a part of the musical allows for the making of new friends and stepping out of her comfort zone. She can't wait to get up on stage and display all the cast’s hard work.
Mamma Mia! is the most beloved musical of Claire’s family. Every time they watch the film, they all dress up and sing and dance along. Claire has previously performed as an Ensemble member of The Lion King at Girton Grammar (2017), and in the GGS production of Aladdin Jr. (2019). Claire can’t wait to relive her happy family memories on stage.
Mamma Mia! is Eadie’s first Musical at GGS; however, Mamma Mia! is not her first venture into the world of musical theatre. Eadie performed in Lyfe of Bryan (2018) with the Mansfield Musical & Dramatic Society (MMUDS). It has been a thrill for Eadie to join her friends in the Company of Mamma Mia!, and she is incredibly proud of her first ever GGS production.
During her time in Middle School, Marlley had some fantastic roles in the musicals, including Zazu in The Lion King Jr. (2017) and the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz (2018). This year, Marlley has led our Company as Dance Captain. She was excited when the School announced Mamma Mia!, as she has been keen to take on more of a dance role. Watch out for her in the dance numbers!
Zoe Naylor (Yr10 Cl)
Georgina Parks (Yr11 Fr)
Chloe Paton (Yr11 Cl)
Zoe is no stranger to the stage. She played the quintessential villain, Jafar, in Aladdin Jr. (2019), and was a member of the Ensemble in Shrek Jr. (2016), The Lion King Jr. (2017) and The Wizard of Oz (2018). Most recently she featured as Megan Jones in the Year 10 Production, Puffs (2021). Zoe is excited for the audience to hear all the amazing voices of our cast.
Known for her impressive tricks and flips, Georgie has thrown herself into her Company role in Mamma Mia!. She has studied Calisthenics since age 4, and this is evident in her athleticism on stage. She has performed in GGS productions as a Hyena and Ensemble member in The Lion King Jr. (2017) and Nico the flying monkey in The Wizard of Oz (2018).
Chloe joined the cast of Mamma Mia! to spend time with friends, improve her dancing and to have a lot of fun. Chloe loved her first experience on the GGS stage, playing a Monkey and Guard of Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz (2018), so she couldn’t wait to get involved in this year’s Musical. Chloe wants everyone to ‘get around’ Mamma Mia! and to have fun.
Georgie Radford (Yr10 He)
Millie Roberts (Yr12 Fr)
Mamma Mia! was Georgie’s favourite film when she was growing up, so as soon as the Senior School Musical for 2021 was announced, she knew she’d be auditioning. A seasoned performer, you might recognise Georgie from previous Middle School Musicals. She was a member of the Ensemble in Shrek Jr. (2016), The Lion King Jr. (2017) and Aladdin Jr. (2019).
Millie is a fantastic dancer, and so it is no surprise that she has led the Company as Dance Captain. It has been great to see Millie step up to this responsibility, despite Mamma Mia! being her musical debut. She has loved performing amongst friends and has been a fantastic role model for the younger students in the show. Mamma Mia! is one of her favourite shows and she absolutely loves the film.
Tanna Ryan (Yr12 Fr)
Molly SandersonBaker (Yr12 A)
Tanna has been a ball of fun in every rehearsal this year. She loves Mamma Mia!, and so auditioning for the musical this year was a no brainer. Tanna is making her GGS Musical debut in Mamma Mia!, although she certainly performs with a sense of maturity. She loves the dance numbers in the show and is excited to perform for an audience.
As a Year 12 student, it is fantastic to have Molly in the Company of Mamma Mia!. Molly has loved learning the dance numbers, persisting even when in a moon boot. She has enjoyed getting to know the cast members and having fun with her friends. It has been great to see Molly come to life on stage in Mamma Mia!.
Abbey Shackleton (Yr11 A)
Claudia Sowerby (Yr10 Cl)
Quimby Yates (Yr10 Cl)
Abbey is thrilled to be a member of the Mamma Mia! Company. No stranger to the stage, she has previously performed in the Ensemble of The Lion King Jr. (2017) and The Wizard of Oz (2018). She loves the ABBA songs, and is excited for you to see the amazing dance numbers in the show. For Abbey, it is the experience of working with her fellow cast members that she has valued most of all. Mamma Mia! is Claudia’s first GGS Musical. She recently starred in the Year 10 Production of Puffs (2021). Claudia has caught the theatrical bug, and we expect to see her in many future GGS productions. Claudia has loved being a member of the Mamma Mia! Company; she thinks it is such a fun production to be a part of.
Quimby is making her acting debut in Mamma Mia!. You wouldn’t know that this is her first musical; she is a natural on the stage and has been a fantastic member of the Company. She decided to audition because she appreciates the upbeat and uplifting musical numbers. Quimby’s favourite part of being in Mamma Mia! is the exuberant liveliness of the performance.
VIOLIN Stephanie Cho (Yr12 EM) In 2021, Stephanie decided to make the move from cast member to play in the band. Previously Stephanie has been involved in the Ensemble of Shrek Jr. (2016), The Lion King Jr. (2017) and Chicago (2019). Stephanie has decided to lend her outstanding string skills to the Mamma Mia! band in her final year of school. It is a privilege to witness Stephanie’s immense musical talent.
KEYBOARD
Jackson Clanton-Jones (Yr8 Hi) Jackson has never played piano in a musical before, but that hasn’t stopped this Year 8 student giving it a go in the Mamma Mia! band. A committed musician, he has completed five piano exams between 2016-2020. He is one of only a few Middle School students participating in Mamma Mia!. You can catch Jackson on stage later in the year in our upcoming production of Matilda (2021).
ELECTRIC BASS Jack Forsyth (Yr11 FB) Members of the GGS community will be familiar with Jack’s skills on the electric guitar. Most recently he showcased his talents as a member of Barbershop, performing at Battle of the Bands in the Equestrian Centre. Jack is excited for the challenge of playing in the Mamma Mia! band.
VIOLIN Lana Karlusic (Yr7 Ot)
KEYBOARD Zara Montgomery (Yr10 Ga)
Lana is one of the brilliant violinists in the Mamma Mia! band. She has performed on stage with Opera Australia and has also starred in a number of lead roles in musical theatre. Lana is excited for the opportunity to perform with the orchestra in the pit and to work with the brilliant Mr Shawcross. You can catch Lana later in the year when she takes the stage in the titular role of the Middle School Musical, Matilda (2021).
Zara loves the soundtrack of Mamma Mia!, so jumped at the chance to perform in the band. Not only is she a talented musician, but she has been involved in the Ensemble of a number of GGS productions, including Shrek Jr. (2016), The Lion King Jr. (2017), The Wizard of Oz (2018) and Aladdin Jr. (2019). Zara can’t wait for the audience to enjoy the wonderful songs of ABBA in Mamma Mia!.
CELLO Eryue Ni (Yr11 He)
GUITAR Fred Parsons (Yr12 A)
DRUMS / PERCUSSION Hamish Routley (Yr12 A)
Eryue can’t help but bop along to the fantastic musical numbers in Mamma Mia!. A talented string player, she is involved in McKie Strings and Chamber Choir. Eryue thinks it will be fun to play in the pit while the actors will be singing on stage, and she hopes that everyone enjoys the music in Mamma Mia!.
Fred plays guitar and piano in bands whenever he can; it is his true passion. Mamma Mia! is his first experience playing in a musical, but he is no stranger to performance. Those in the audience at the epic Battle of the Bands this year would have seen Fred’s excellence on show in the fantastic band, Farrar’s Disciples. He joined the Mamma Mia! band for the opportunity to play with talented musicians.
The Mamma Mia! band wouldn’t be complete without percussion. Those lucky enough to have been at this year’s Battle of the Bands would have witnessed Hamish’s skills, as he played in a number of the bands. Hamish is most looking forward to working with a great cast in Mamma Mia!, and seeing the music and performance come together.
VIOLA Emma Sin (Yr12 He)
GUITAR Benjamin Wedgwood (Yr11 FB)
Emma is playing the viola in our Mamma Mia! band. A committed musician, she plays in the McKie Strings group, and sings in both Senior School choirs. This is Emma’s first GGS production. Emma is excited to be involved in a different musical venture, playing a different type of music than she would normally.
Ben is a talented guitar player, known to the GGS community for his key role in the rock band, Barbershop. He tore up the stage in this year’s GGS Battle of the Bands. Ben loves playing guitar, and he especially enjoys learning and performing new music. He is excited to showcase his skills in the Mamma Mia! band.
PRODUCTION CREW Producer Michael Harrop Director Alice Krieger Musical Director John Shawcross Choreographer Xavier McGettigan Production Manager Katherine Barton Stage Manager Michael Harrop
Backstage Manager Annabelle Naylor (Yr12 Cl)
Set Design Steve Annis Alice Krieger Set Construction & Scenic Painting Steve Annis Set Dressing Steve Annis Alice Krieger Katherine Barton Costume Design Alice Krieger Katherine Barton
Assistant Stage Manager Mody Yim (Yr12 FB)
Lighting Design Michael ‘Mush’ Brasser (BAAC Light)
Conductor John Shawcross
Sound Design Marcello Lo Ricco (LSS Productions)
Vocal Coaches Holly Sharpe Ari Farrar
Sound Operator Dillan Willding (LSS Productions) Supervising Technicians Ben Hardiman Jordan Clarke Props Steve Annis Alice Krieger Katherine Barton Rehearsal Pianist Stacey-Louise Camilleri Dance Captains Emilia Church (Yr11 Fr) Marlley McNamara (Yr11 Ga) Millie Roberts (Yr12 Fr) Photography Drew Ryan Promotional Material Chloe Flemming Programme Chloe Flemming Katherine Barton
Booth Supervisors Ari Farrar Shae Stabryla Spotlight Operators Joshua Colley (Yr10 A) Archie MacLachlan (Yr10 A) Ned Worboys (Yr12 A) Ethan Yap (Yr12 P) Backstage Crew Phoebe a’Beckett (Yr11 Fr) Leo Chen (Yr12 Fr) Lilli Cowan (Y12 He) Eliza Frazer (Yr11 EM) Kiana Kosasi-Papdan (Yr10 A) Caitie Remen (Yr11 EM) Phoebe Seymour (Yr11 He) Oscar Zhang (Y12 FB) Simon Zhang (Yr12 P) Front of House Supervisor Sophie Church Hair & Make-up Iga Bajer Sam Bear Millie Burrell Amberlie Calvert (Yr12 Ga) Leo Chen (Yr12 Fr) Emilia Church (Y11 Fr) Sophie Church Lilli Cowan (Yr12 He) Special Thanks Grace Besselink Jennifer Bismire Lisette Campbell Mike Fletcher Pauline Frasca Nicholas Mawson David Oman Deidre Skinner Teresa Thomas Bill van Veldhoven Joan Yelland
GGS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PRESENT
COMING NOVEMBER 2021
Music and Lyrics by
BENNY ANDERSSON & BJÖRN ULVAEUS and some songs with STIG ANDERSON Book by CATHERINE JOHNSON Originally conceived by JUDY CRAYMER