Congratulations to all the cast and crew on an extraordinary musical! A very big thank you to all our talented students who were exceptional in their performances. What a wonderful showcase of the talents of our young women and example of the strength of the performing arts at Merici College.
"Alice in Wonderland" is a timeless classic that has captured hearts and imaginations for generations. With its curious characters, vivid landscapes, and thought-provoking themes, it's a story that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. Our talented cast and crew have poured their hearts and souls into bringing this beloved tale to life, and we couldn't be prouder of their dedication and hard work.
As our guests settled into their seats, they embarked on a truly enchanting journey. Throughout the musical, we encountered a myriad of quirky characters and witnesses our actors breathe life into them with their boundless creativity and passion.
The music of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ incorporated a variety of genres to create the sound of each unique character and portray the madness of ‘Wonderland.’ With the music and lyrics created by, Janet Yates Bogt and Mark Friedman, Merici students have gained a stronger insight into vocal technique. The soloists have worked with Mrs Heather Lloyd, learning to embrace and showcase their character vocally, whilst ensemble members have worked with Ms Clare Freeman, learning to harmonise in weekly sessions. In the show, Alice took us on a musical journey to discover an array of characters such as the Cheshire Cat with swing jazz influences, Tweedle Dee and Dum singing rock ‘n’ roll as well as opera, a Caterpillar which calypso beats, a Mad Hatter with a tin pan alley-esque style and a swinging Queen of Hearts. The diverse and eclectic range of musical styles presented within this show created a ‘Wonderland-esque’ feeling for the audience and transported them through a rich and varied musical landscape to accompany the many different characters explored through this show. These varying musical styles have been a great challenge for Merici students to undertake and they have shown a high level of dedication and passion in their application towards their roles and characters, as well as working to embody the style of music required to carry their characters out on stage.
Textiles students in Years 9-11 engaged in a 5 month design project to design and create the costumes for this wonderful performance. In line with our college values, our student designers have prioritised sustainability, seeking to upcycle and re-work existing costumes, minimising the need for new materials. We are especially proud of the collaboration, risk-taking, and perseverance of our student designers.
This year we embarked on a creative journey to showcase our commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness by utilising recycled and repurposed materials to construct props and set designs. Embracing the concept of “reduce, reuse, recycle,” our production team embarked on a mission to breathe new life into discarded items, transforming them into captivating elements that bring the magical world of Wonderland to life. The props we used were a testament to our innovative approach. After an extensive search through the dark corners of the Dance and Drama spaces, the shelves and racks of several Vinnies stores and meticulous scouring of The Green Shed’s treasure troves we were able to source costumes and old sets that had seen better days, cardboard boxes, discarded wooden pallets, milk crates and other building supplies. By repurposing these materials, we not only reduced waste but also imparted a unique charm to our production that added depth and character to the overall aesthetic and also served as a testament to the power of imagination and ingenuity in creating captivating stage designs.
Through this eco-friendly approach, we sought to instil a sense of responsibility and awareness in our students, cast, and audience members. By demonstrating the potential of recycled materials to create stunning and functional props and sets, we aimed to inspire our community to embrace sustainable practices in their daily lives.
On behalf of the entire cast, crew, and creative team, our heartfelt gratitude to all our community for your support and enthusiasm.
Full image gallery here.
