The Boy from Oz

Australian writing is a rarity on the international musical theatre circuit, so it was with great excitement that we presented The Boy from Oz at the National Theatre in March for this year’s 10-12 Musical. Bursting with exciting choreography, memorable musical anthems, powerful scene work and true-blue Aussie heart, the story of Australian entertainer Peter Allen was certainly a complex, inspiring and extremely rewarding project for our young artists to tackle. Biographical in its format, the show trails Peter Allen’s musical career and whilst his songs speak of loss, pain and solitude, his public persona exuded dynamic confidence, boundless energy, tongue-in-cheek humour and intelligent wit. The cast leaped wholeheartedly into this thought-provoking story, learning about the individuals and formative experiences that shaped the career of this iconic Australian performer by researching the lives of the people they were portraying, as well as the historical contexts represented within the narrative. This work encouraged our performers, musicians, and creatives to share in meaningful conversations about the world and as maturing young adults, our students demonstrated incredible care, compassion and respect for one another and this story.

The Boy from Oz certainly provided us with the material to showcase our commitment to presenting theatrical excellence, whilst fostering diversity and opportunity in Performing Arts learning. Each member of our cast, orchestra and crew was uncompromising in their collaborative efforts to create the spectacular world we saw on stage. They have proven themselves to be a brave team of talented young people who are incredibly engaged, feel a strong sense of belonging and have absolutely loved the rehearsal journey just as much as feeling the warmth of the spotlight on stage!

This year’s major production required us to reimagine the theatre space with a production design reflecting Peter Allen’s final tour to Sydney in 1992. We presented a concert setting, where Peter was surrounded by a series of motifs that have become his trademarks. Our cascading staircase was larger than life and our costume design dripped with the flamboyance Peter Allen is remembered for. The design allowed for Peter’s two disparate worlds, rural NSW and the sparkling 1990s, to collide seamlessly. Experimenting with new theatrical technologies and exploring innovative approaches to support our storytelling was central to the creative learning journey for this show.

Judy Garland sings “I’ve been taught by experts...” which really is the perfect sentiment to echo the experience of our students. The Performing Arts team at St Michael’s is truly first class and I thank them for their expert talents, dedication and for going the extra mile for every young person engaged in our program. The Years 10-12 Musical was very much a celebration of what we stand for as a St Michael’s community and I am incredibly proud of the exceptional theatrical experience that resulted after four months of hard work and collaboration between creatives, cast, orchestra, crew, parent and staff volunteers.

Mr Tyler Hess Director of Performing Arts

1-9. The Boy from Oz