Junior School Production

Star Warts: The Umpire Strikes Back

In a galaxy far, far away, Luke Warmwater and his aunt, Daft Ada, live a lonely life on their secluded space station, Junction 51. But when Princess Nebula’s ship crash lands in Luke’s bedroom, they soon learn of the evil Umpire and his dark desire to conquer the universe.

Along with Toby Wonky Nosebleed, Zak Solo, and Nigel the Nookie, they follow Princess Nebula in her rebellion. Aboard the Millennium Penguin, they whizz warp-speed through the galaxy to the Umpire’s High Tower on Planet Wimbledonia. But little do they know; the Umpire is about to strike back!

These galactic goofballs embark on a space adventure light-years from home, encountering dippy droids, mad martians, spacedout Space Rangers, and a ferocious pot-plant called Gordon. Can our crazy crew master the power of the sauce to save the galaxy, or will it be game, set, and match to the Umpire?

The Junior School musical production is a biennial event comprising all students from Years 3, 4 and 5. This year the main cast of 27 actors rehearsed regularly during and after school to perfect their stagecraft, acting, singing, and dancing. Led by their Director Mrs Trista Fry and Acting Coaches Mr Mathew McRae, Mr Michael Pettolino, and Ms Michelle Ponert, the cast formed a cohesive team who worked together with fun, flexibility, and determination. Our new Head of Junior School Music and Musical Director, Mr Alex St Vincent Welch, inspired the amazing soloists and chorus singers to produce high standards of performance with energy and heart.

The Camberwell Grammar School Production team must be acknowledged for the many hours of time taken to source 28 and create all the wonderful costumes and props, ticketing, programs, filming, sound, lighting, and all the other behindthe-scenes theatre coordination that made this show a success. For many students, this first venture onto the stage is the beginning of an interest in theatre and performing arts. The care taken for each member of the cast and chorus by Camberwell Grammar staff ensured life-long memories were made and budding thespians were nurtured in their craft.

After rehearsing throughout Term 2, the show came together at a frenetic pace in the Middleton Theatre, with props, costumes, and microphones in action for the first time. As the cast prepared for their final dress rehearsal, the unfortunate news came that two main cast members were unable to perform due to illness. Condolences were made to Brian Yan (Year 5), Lord Yoga, and Leonardo Tahn (Year 5), Racketeer Roe, who, after their tireless work throughout the term, were unable to perform in the final performances. Congratulations and thank you to Alexander Yakop (Year 4), Samuel Cai (Year 4) and William Zhao (Year 5) who ensured the show could go on by portraying new characters they had not rehearsed and memorising additional lines.

The full chorus of colourful characters rose to the occasion and performed with flair, energy, and comedic timing for three crowd-pleasing performances. From our chorus of Year 3 Apprentices, Year 4 Trekkies, and Year 5 Diddily Squits, to our Cosmic VIP’s, the Jelly Nits, the evil Umpire’s Court, and our heroic Rebels, it truly required the power of the sauce to put on a musical of this size and calibre.

May the sauce be with you.

Mrs Trista Fry

Director and Music Teacher Pre-Prep – Year 2