Turning the clock back at 45rpm
Prepare for a flashback to the colourful fashion and music of the 1970s for the latest combined production by two Palmerston North schools.
The production from Palmerston North Girls’ High School and Palmerston North Boys’ High School is this year Streakin’ Thru The 70s, a flashback to a decade filled with music, flared pants and flower power. It starts on March 18.
Girls’ High student Paris Kareko, 16, is playing one of the leads, Gloria. Boys’ High’s Jacob Dredge is the leading male.
Kareko said the show looked at styles and social beliefs from the 1970s, covering issues such as the Vietnam War and popular old game shows. ‘‘All those things combine with all the songs and the culture.’’
Kareko said the costumes, which have lots of colour and flowers, were true to the time.
For one act she has to wear a gold jumpsuit, while Dredge has a ‘‘big wig that goes down to his elbows’’.
The music is also befitting of the decade, with popular songs Lady Marmalade, I Love The Nightlife and Take Me Home Country Road included in the more than 30 numbers.
‘‘I think we knew most of the songs that everyone knew like Disco Inferno, You Sexy Thing and Iwill Survive. Kareko said her character took inspiration from powerful women from the era and women who broke gender norms.
Thomas van Stipriaan, 17, is the stage manager and he said it had been exciting preparing aspects such as the lights, set and props, including old period items.
‘‘[The show] was definitely new to me and new to a lot of us. It’s the first time it’s been on in the Southern Hemisphere.’’
The show, at the Speirs Centre at Boys’ High, runs from March 18 to 27.