General News
6 June, 2024
To the stage
MORTLAKE College’s burgeoning thespians are putting the finishing touches on their efforts to bring a Disney classic to the stage.
The school will this month stage its presentation of The Lion King Jr after a dedicated effort from students to bring the production to life.
Among the students cast in the production is Isabella Pickford, Nathan Mann and Megan Wendt.
Isabella, who has been cast in the major role of Nala, said she looked forward to taking the stage every year.
“When I moved to the school in year seven it was part of the curriculum to be part of the school production,” Isabella said.
“After the first show I went in to Holiday Actors, loved it and I’ve had a main role in school productions ever since.
“I love it, I love performing and being on stage, I even love the rehearsals.
“I just love it all.”
Nathan will play Mufasa, the original king of the pride lands and father to Simba.
“I’m feeling good, and hopefully won’t mess up any lines,” Nathan said.
“But we practice three times a week plus lunch time rehearsals, so we’re all prepared.
“I’ve been acting in every play since prep, it’s always fun and being on stage doesn’t really phase me.”
Megan has been cast as Rafiki, the shaman of the pride lands who is always on hand to offer wisdom as the king’s most trusted advisor.
“He’s the one who offers lessons to Simba in the show,” she said.
“I really like that it’s a bit of a challenge for me.
“It’s something different that I’ve never really played before, and it’s really interested me to be playing something different.”
During her three years acting in productions with Mortlake College, which has included stints with Warrnambool’s Holiday Actors, Megan said the emphasis the college places on its performing arts has given students the visibility and support to embrace their creative side.
“I really like the sense of community which is part of acting and performing at our school,” she said.
“It makes you feel seen.
“You don’t just have to be sporty or do what everyone else is doing.
“That’s something I really like about the show and the environment at Mortlake College.”
Mortlake College acting principal Anne De Manser said the production of The Lion King Jr was one the school had previously undertaken, and fit perfectly with the current student cohort.
“It’s a really fun show which, this year, fits well in providing a role for everyone who needs one,” she said.
“We’ve got about 50 boys this year, unlike a lot of schools we don’t struggle for boys, and The Lion King has a lot of great roles for them.”
Mrs De Manser said rehearsals were her favourite time of the week with the current cohort of students bringing an infectious enthusiasm for the performance.
“They’re a remarkable group of kids who have grown up with this culture of performing, as a lot of them have had brothers and sisters who have been in the show before them,” she said.
“They’re certainly approaching it like it is their time, and they’re taking a lot of initiative.
“They running a lot of the roles themselves, Isabella is one of our performing arts captains who has emerged to pretty much be one of the directors.
“They do all the choreography, they work on the art associated with the performance, so we’ve got a good team with everyone jumping on board to help out in a bit of a community effort.”
Curtains will raise on The Lion King Jr at Mortlake College’s Graeme Good Centre from:
Friday, June 14 – 7pm;
Monday, June 17 – 12pm;
Wednesday, June 19 – 7pm; and
Thursday, June 20 – 7pm.
For tickets visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1227076.
