production of
production of
Music and Lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice Additional Music and Lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and Hans Zimmer Book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi Based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor Music Adapted & Arranged and Additional Music & Lyrics and “Luau Hawaiian Treat” written by Will Van Dyke “It’s a Small World” written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia). All performance materials supplied by Hal Leonard Australia.
from the director Nant’s ingonyama, bakithi, baba (NANTS een-GON-yah-mah bah-KEE-tee bah BAH) – Here comes the lion, my people, the father (of our nation). So begins the opening call from Rafi ki, the sharman of the African Savannah, inviting all inhabitants of the Pridelands to witness the dawning of the new born heir to the throne of the Lions. Ignonyama nengwe wema (een-gonYAH-mah NEN-gwey-WEH-mah)– The lion and the leopard, oh what sight! Welcome to the 2017 Girton Junior School Production of Disney The Lion King Jr. For over 30 years the Disney animated fi lm has been one of the most remembered movies of all time, loved by all generations. It was this fi lm that inspired one of the most successful stage musicals, starting with the Broadway Production of The Lion King. The Lion King musical continues to play to sell out performances around the world. Disney The Lion King Jr has been adapted by Ken Cerniglia and Will Van Dyke to provide an enriching experience for young students to be part of the magic that is the story and stage production, with the message of hope, renewal, second chances, love reunited, responsibilities fulfi lled and above all, loyalty. The story of The Lion King is really a story of all of us. It shares elements in common with other tales of betrayal and destiny, such as Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Following the hero’s journey, Simba must overcome severe challenges and his own fear to assume his rightful place as a king of the Pridelands in the ritual that is the ‘Circle of Life’. Inspired by the stage musical, in our production we have incorporated the use of head pieces instead of face masks to represent our main characters and the use of some simple puppets to broaden the students drama performance experience. But even without the use of all the stagecraft – the set, costumes, lighting, sound – it is the stirring African rhythms and language in the music that captures us and transports us into the rich cultural landscape of South Africa.
Our color palette refl ects the African Savannah and Jungle. The students have learned that we are representing the characters and world of the story – the set design, costumes and make up are stylised – the audience can see and hear the African culture – people representing animals, animals representing people – a social order of balance and harmony in the ecosystem. Such a world is only managed and maintained by good leadership. In the end Scar’s selfi shness and greed almost destroys the Pridelands and Simba is only able to restore order when he accepts his responsibilities as a fi rm but fair ruler. The animals remind him in Zulu language: Busa le lizwe bo (BOO-sah leh LEEZweh boh) – Rule this Precious land Busa lomhlaba (BOO-sah LOM-hhlahbah) – Rule this earth Busan go thando bo (BOO-sah GO TAN-do boh) – Rule with love. A simple plan to maintain the Circle of Life for future generations. I would like to personally recognise the Production Team that have been on this wonderful journey from auditions through rehearsals to the stage. The creative management has really been a shared process – we really have had a unique collaboration of codirectors that have each brought their expertise to refi ne the whole. Each of these fi ne teachers have devoted their time and support during lunchtimes and after school, balancing their classroom teaching with dedicated commitment to the development and success of the student cast. I am indebted to Mrs Laura Dusseljee, whose exceptional musical direction has developed the African rhythm, rich vocal tones and crisp pronunciaciation of the African language; Mrs Kristie Woodward, whose musical theatre experience also provided valuable vocal coaching and assistance with choreography as well as her seamless coordination of the production schedule
during my unplanned absence in Term Two; Mrs Jenny Geyer, whose codirection has been invaluable with her professional discipline and organisation, as well as her endless enthusiasm and Mrs Georgiana Rice, who once again relished the opportunity to devise the choreography with our Year 6 featured dancers as well as for many of the musical numbers. Your willingness to provide weekly lunchtime rehearsals to create beautiful movement and the cheerful ease in which you work with the students is appreciated. It has been an honour and privilege to collaborate with these exceptional women to bring this production to the stage. Thank you. So, Hela, hem mamela! Pay attention and experience this! We give you our production of Disney The Lion King Jr. Mandy Ellison
SYNOPSIS Rafi ki gathers the animals of the Savannah Pridelands to welcome the newborn cub of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi. The King’s jealous brother, Scar, no longer heir to the throne, avoids the ceremony, which upsets Mufasa. Time passes and young Simba grows into a curious young lion cub. His father, Mufasa, explains the circle of life and that Simba will one day be King of the Pridelands. Simba shares this news proudly with his Uncle Scar, who encourages his nephew to visit the forbidden elephant graveyard. Simba fi nds his best friend, Nala, who is hunting gazelle with her mother Sarafi na and the lionesses, and invites her on an adventure. Simba imagines what life will be like when he is a King. He and Nala ditch their babysitter, Zazu and sneak to the graveyard, where they encounter the
hungry hyenas, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed. Mufasa arrives in time to save them, pummels the hyenas, then takes the cubs home. Scar emerges from the darkness to recruit hyenas in his murderous plan to become king. Back in the pridelands, Mufasa reprimands young Simba then shares the guidance of their ancestors, up in the stars. Enacting his plan, Scar leaves Simba alone in the gorge and signals the hyenas to scare a herd of wildebeest into a stampede. Scar alerts Mufasa, who leaps into the stampede to save his son. Mufas rescues Simba, but as he tries to climb to his own safety, Scar pushes his brother back into the gorge, where he is trampled. Scar blames young Simba for the King’s death and tells him to run away, commanding the hyenas to kill him. As Sarabi, Nala, Sarafi na, Rafi ki and the lionesses mourn the loss of Mufasa and
Simba, Scar assumes the throne, uniting lons and hyenas under his dark reign. Lost in the desert, a scared and hungry Simba meets Timon and Pumbaa, who take him to their worry free jungle home. Time passes and Simba grows up. Under Scar’s reign, the pridelands are nearly destroyed. Nala has also grown and Scar expresses interest in her becoming his queen. Nala decides she will leave to seek help. She fi nds Simba alive in the jungle and urges him to return and take his rightful place as King, but still ashamed, Simba refuses. Rafi ki appears and helps Simba remember his father. With newfound courage, Simba agrees to return to the pridelands. Timon and Pumbaa distract the hyenas, while Nala gathers together the lionesses. Simba confronts his uncle, the truth of Mufasa’s murder is revealed and Scar runs away pursued by angry hyenas. With peace restored in the pridelands, Simba takes his place as king and the circle of life continues.
Scenes & Songs 1. Pride Rock The Circle of Life (with Nants’ Ingonyama) 2. Scar’s Cave 3.The Pridelands Grasslands Chant 4. Scar’s Cave 5.The Pridelands The Lioness Hunt I Just Can’t Wait To Be King 6.The Elephant Graveyard Be Prepared 7.The Pridelands They Live In You 8.The Gorge The Stampede The Mourning 9.The Desert and The Jungle Hakuna Matata 10. Scar’s Cave 11.The Pridelands Shadowland 12.The Jungle Can You Feel The Love Tonight He Lives In You 13. Pride Rock Luau Hawaiian Treat 14. Finale
there’ to than way
is a lot more being king getting your all the time
the cast
main cast
lionesses
hyenas
dancers
Mufasa Aksharan Shobanan Rafiki Mia McGovern Simba Ben McConachy Sarabi Zoe MacGregor Sarafina Olivia Boef Nala Matisse Fennessy Zazu Zoe Cuthbertson Scar Tyla Noonan Shenzi Hannah Green Banzai Morgan Castle Ed Augustine Leung Pumbaa Darcy Bourke Timon Ethan Kian-Goble
Rebecca Ashman Esther Barclay Willow Barnett Poppy Cornelius Olivia Green Miriam Henry Charlotte Lowther Imogen Mason Sharoon Mirza Myra Muhammad
Jeremy Carlson Viran Dhanapala Madeline Dole Angus Gill Elise Richards Matthew Saxon Michelle Slow Samuel Stewart Jay Thomas
Matthew Edwards Grace Jemmett Lily Harvey Rose Kennett Aislinn Lavin Arwen MacCallum Sophie Mayes Olivia Morris William Perrin Rhys Pether Maria Suetin
savannah birds Emily Anderson Leilani Babitu Claire Hamilton Mya Long Emily Russell Grace Whelan-Mills
wildebeest
grasslands
savannah animals
Patrick Byrne Oliver Campbell Xavier Ciancio Aedan Hamilton Elliot Haywood Mac Hilson Jude Ralph Josh Smith Hamish Ueno Hamish Walker
Emily Anderson Leilani Babitu Claire Hamilton Mya Long Ellard McKenzie-Pluckhahn Sophie Mayes Arielle Moran Olivia Morris Polly Robertson Emily Russell Grace Whelan-Mills
Akshan Agarwal
Bronte Kelly
Patrick Byrne
Angus Macafee
Xavier Ciancio
Connor McKenzie
Jaiden Ciccone
Fraser McKinstry
Harry Cossens
Arielle Moran
Audrey Crean
Freya Nairn
Declan Delaney
Polly Robertson
Skye Fitzsimmons
Josh Smith
Mac Hilson
Isabel St Clair
Shari-lee Henderson-Wray
Gian Vellacot
Lincon Hocking
Hamish Walker
Liam Jones
YEARS 2 & 4 Harshil Balraj Maggie Barber Charlie Black Laura Broom Nikki Cheema Charlotte Fennessy Jackson Forder Lugh Fraser Charlotte Garner Gabriel Irani
Jack Joynson-Baker Lachlan Krueger George Noble Affan Qureshi Phoebe Rathjen Brandon Tuohy Will deVries (2V) Joshua Lim (2V) Bianca Schelosky (2M)
2D
& 4 CHORUS Amelita Baxter* Lauren Brunner* Patrick Conlan Mackenzie Couch Anna de Vries* Adam Fisher Meher Grewal Zoe Holland Natasha Irani *Dancers
Claire Jones* Nicoletta Kelly Thomas Kuchel Daniel Lichnovsky Benjamin Lim Mia Nichol* Ryan Pham Oliver Schelosky Shruti Tejani James Trotter
4D
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crew Production Team Ms Mandy Ellison Director Mrs Laura Dusseljee Musical Director Mrs Jenny Geyer Co-Director Mrs Georgiana Rice Choreographer Mrs Kristie Woodward Vocal Coach/Co-Director Stage Manager Ms Joanne Grech Assistant Stage Manager Max Beever (10 Frew) Costumes Mrs Anita Scott Set Design Mr Greg Bowen Set Construction Mr Greg Bowen Ms Mandy Ellison Bourke’s Kitchens Set Painting Ms Mandy Ellison Emily Anderson (6M) Mrs Alicia Barclay Mrs Robyn Castle Morgan Castle (6M) Mrs Yvonne Dole Madeline Dole (6H) Mr Glen Downie Mrs Jenny Geyer Mrs Linda Gibson Mrs Leah Haynes Tess Haynes (4M) Mrs Kim Henery Ms Angela Mansbridge Mrs Maree MacGregor Angus MacGregor (9 Riley)
Zoe MacGregor (6M) Ms Michelle Rey Mrs Liz Stewart Lighting Design Mr Ian Scott Technical Manager Mr John McMillan Lighting Operator Amos Walz (11 Frew) Audio Jack Garnett (9 Riley) Mrs Kristie Woodward Audio Visual Ms Ben Gibbons Technical Support Jared Hodges (10 Riley) Oliver Davison (7 Riley) Michael Loughnan (11 Riley) Makeup Georgia Bowen (11 Jones) Team Leader Max Beever (10 Frew) Lily Forbes (11 Frew) Michaela Hulme (11 Aherne) Alicia McGovern (11 Riley) Amy Nicholls (11 Frew) Lily Townsend (10 Jones) Backstage Crew Maxwell Beever (10 Frew) Solomon Gibbs (8 Jones) Ainsley Hatcher (11 Riley) Janidu Hathurusinghe (8 Jenkin) Solomon Long (7 Aherne) Lily Townsend (10 Jones) Edwina Wallace-Smith (10 Millward) Backstage Support Mrs Alicia Barclay Mrs Michelle Bourke
Mrs Robyn Castle Mrs Kristy Harvey Mrs Reagan Lacey Mrs Sandi Lavin Mrs Angela Mansbridge Mrs Helena Read
Photography Mr Bill Conroy Mrs Kristen Beever Programme and Poster design Mrs Kristen Beever Classroom Teachers Mrs Viv Bath (6M) Mrs Kendra Burge (2M) Mr Mark DiFede (6D) Mr Paul Flanagan (4D) Mr John Gibbs (6V) Mrs Linda Gibson (4V) Ms Vanessa Juergens (2V) Mrs Prue Milner (6M) Mrs Erin Moss (6H) Ms Michelle Rey (4M) Mrs Georgiana Rice (2D) Front of house Friends of Performing Arts
Acknowledgements :
:
The Production Team would like to acknowledge and thank the Headmaster, Mr Matthew Maruff, Head of Junior School, Mr Mr Don Thompson and our colleagues from the Year Six, Four and Two classes for their valuable support, patience and assistance to enable us to stage this production in the John E. Higgs Hall. In particular, we are grateful to Mrs Viv Bath, Mrs Erin Moss, Mrs Kendra Burge and Mrs Kim Henery, for their ongoing encouragement, advice, attention to detail, planning rehearsal schedule details and re-arrangement of classes and duties to allow us to combine blocks of rehearsal time. A very special thank you is extended to Glenn and Michelle Bourke and the team from Bourke’s Kitchens, who assisted greatly in bringing our design ideas to life. We were thrilled to have their expertise to construct Pride Rock, an elephant graveyard/Scar’s cave, 24 elephant bones and a herd of gazelle puppets. Glenn and his staff were so easy to communicate with and nothing thrown at them was ever a problem. Their kindness and professional work is most appreciated by all of us. In addition, I thank Bendigo Theatre Company for generously allowing us to borrow the framework pieces for us to construct our base frames. In addition, a very big thank you is extended to the parents, students and teachers who volunteered to help paint the set on the fi rst sunny spring weekend a week prior to the production. Their time and effort is most appreciated. To Anita Scott and the Scott family who have,provided a stunning array of costumes, I thank you for your patience and expertise managing my requests. Your nimble sewing skills to adjust a multitude of costumes in a very short time has been amazing. No request was ever too diffi cult. Anita’s knowledge of costume design and creative eye as she envisions an idea into a practical concept! Thank you to Girton’s Performing Arts staff, Mr Nicholas Pease, Ms Joanne Grech and Mrs Jacinta Jackson for their expert advice and generous backstage assistance during this production week. Particularly to Ms Grech, who kindly agreed to be our Stage Manager, on
top of her busy schedule at the Senior School. No-one else is a Stage Manager like Jo Grech – she is a legend! Also to Miss Shari Williams. we thank her for her effi cient support with the administrative assistance and her cheery way of easily smoothing over potential problems. Special thanks to Mrs Kristen Beever who has worked tirelessly on the promotional materials for this production. Graphic Design demands many hours of attention to details with layout, font, image placement and style. Kristen was able to effortlessly and magically create high quality products and we thank her for her professionalism and enthusiastic involvement in the Performing Arts. Thank you to the Year Six, Four and Two classroom teachers for their support and assistance at rehearsals and kind words of encouragement along the way. Thank you to Mr John McMillan for his technical expertise. Without him the musical production is not complete. Many extra hours are required to rig and de-rig all the technological equipment so that our performers sound professional and polished. The fabulous lighting design is by the extraordinarily talented Mr Ian Scott, who was also Lighting Designer for the Senior School Production earlier in the year as well as recent local theatre productions. He is a young man in demand and we are lucky he was able to squeeze our show into his busy schedule. Thank you also to Mr McMillan’s well-trained tech team. I would like to also acknowledge Mr Martin O’Reilly and the Girton Maintenance Team who have had the extra jobs of assisting us set up to have this production at the school – turning classrooms into dressing rooms, arranging the seating, transporting the sets, hanging the banners - thanks Marty for your fl exibility and commitment to getting the job done. Special thanks to Mandy’s husband Greg and daughter Georgia, who have
not only endured the last few months of their house being a prop building site, but have actively assisted in the design and construction of Wildebeest masks, giraffe headgear, a rhino, gazelle and other puppets. They have shared many litres of glue, foam, paint and a house littered with crafty odds and ends. We hope they still believe in Hakuna Matata!! Finally, thank you to our wonderful students for their willingness to come on this journey. We hope that every student involved in this production can walk away feeling pride in themselves and in what they have achieved together. The energy and buzz of being part of a live theatre performance can be life changing. Not everyone wants to be an actor, but we all perform in life every day. Theatre performance develops lifelong skills, including self-discipline, perseverance, teamwork, empathy, communication and confi dence. We are proud to have seen all of these skills develop in our cast over the rehearsal process and now hope they simply enjoy sharing this timeless story with a live audience. Hakuna Matata The Production Team