Students vow to rock you
Lardner Park will be transformed into a rock concert venue when Warragul Regional College presents musical “We Will Rock You” next weekend.
The student cast has vowed to take the audience on a nostalgic journey of Queen songs with a modern twist during the rock musical appealing to all ages.
Overall 50 students will bring the musical to life both onstage, in the band and backstage.
Amongst the leads in the 35-strong cast are year 11 student Lily Whelan as Ozzy, year 12 student Vilani Meain as Brit, year 12 student Tegan Blackstock as Scaramouche and year eight student Ayla Saul as Killer Queen.
Tegan said the production had been a huge effort for all students with rehearsals starting in February before ramping up to twice a week.
It is “very much a rock concert” filled with crowd involvement and audience interaction, said Lily.
Valani said there was pressure to get it right, as the audience will know these songs by heart, whilst also aiming to give a new angle.
“It’s really very open to anyone to come,” said Lily. “People of any age can come and enjoy it.”
“The script is really well written. It will engage younger audiences,” said Tegan.
Taking place in the distant future, everyone wears the same clothes, thinks the same thoughts and goes about in a brain-dead haze. Musical instruments and composers have been forbidden, and rock music is all but unknown due to the efforts of the Killer Queen and her evil company Global Soft.
However, a small group of “Bohemians” struggles to restore the free exchange of thought, fashion, and (most of all) live music.
Head of drama Steve Wiegerink said this production would see a real “changing of the guard” with a huge young ensemble of year seven and eight students enjoying their first taste of theatre.
After the graduation of leads from previous productions, he said the four girls were amongst the next wave of talent.
“These girls will leave a legacy for those coming through,” he said.
“We Will Rock You” will be performed on Saturday, August 11 at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday, August 12 at 2pm.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for concession, groups and youth under 18, and $80 for a family of two adults and two children.
For bookings or further information, contact the West Gippsland Arts Centre on 5624 2456 or visit wgac.org.au.