The Show Must Go On

The Show

Must Go On!

The 2021 TGS and Fairholme College co-production The Show Must Go On! was a medley of song and dance from our previous school productions and was unlike any musical we’d done before. Due to COVID, we didn’t perform to a live audience this year; instead, the show was professionally recorded and then screened at the Empire Theatre on Saturday, 21 August 2021. Seniors and alumni of TGS and Fairholme took their place at centre stage, performing an array of solos and group numbers from contemporary and classic musicals such as Hamilton, Anything Goes, Frozen and Titanic. The concept of a “movie musical” offered a new and exciting journey that differed significantly from any of our previous School productions. Rehearsals were held two to three times a week from the beginning of Term 1; these sessions included dance lessons and refining each number. Songs were recorded in the Empire Theatre studio months before we began filming with Foxtail Productions in Term 2.

There were no pre-show nerves or live audiences, only cameras to perform for. It was an enjoyable and thrilling process for the 100 students and staff members involved. It provided insight into the hard work and commitment hours necessary to create a movie that reaches a professional standard.

Although we didn’t perform in front of a live audience, we had the unique opportunity to watch the show on the day it screened. Being able to see our months of hard work from the perspective of the audience was a great experience.

The result was impressive, with audiences giving rave reviews about the show’s professional nature and the performance talent within both school communities. Of course, such an experience would not have been possible without the work of key staff, including Producer Dr Alison Young, Musical Director Ms Wendy Evans and Director Mrs Katrina Bailey.

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1. “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” – South Pacific

2. “Love Is an Open Door.” – Frozen