The Show Must Go On

The King’s School is celebrated for its rich history as a place of education that offers diverse and specialised experiences for its students. The King’s Theatre is one of the places where these experiences happen. Students are encouraged to extend themselves beyond their imagination to realise their potential.

The past three years have been extraordinary. Although restrictions were easing, and the School had the go-ahead for a 2022 musical production, the saying ‘the show must go on’ had never echoed louder in the corridors at King’s. Mr Michael Terzo has been directing school theatre productions since 1991 and has over ten years’ experience as The King’s School Director of Theatre. Michael says he feels privileged to witness the comradery and sheer resilience of the King’s community.

“A week before opening night, nearly half the cast were forced into COVID isolation. To keep rehearsals going, we had students from King’s and Tara, staff and Old Boys stepping in or playing multiple roles. The pressure everyone was feeling was unbelievable, but we always had someone waiting to step in, which is a true testament to this incredible place,” says Michael.

The final dress rehearsal, where traditionally the boarding community are the first audience to see the production, was the first time there was a full cast and crew, but it was not the final cast to perform School of Rock. Over nine shows there was a total of five different casts, many of whom had only a day to step into their new role. The domino effect of COVID continued to impact integral members of the musical, including the sound engineer, who was replaced on opening night by his apprentice. School of Rock is a musical that relies on the on-stage musicians as much as the performers. So, the stress intensified when the lead guitarist and drummer tested positive for COVID,. “We had a student step in and learn the drumming part in one day. It was at this point it was reaffirmed to me just how brave and resilient our boys are,” says Michael.

“We had Year 11 boys stepping into lead roles, while Year 12 boys championed them, letting them know they had their back. We had staff who were working backstage come down with COVID, and cast members continued to fall ill. When we began to run out of current students who could step into roles, we turned to Old Boys and Tara Old Girls.”

Jack Parsons, a 2021 graduate, was working the front of house when partway through musical week he stepped into a role on stage. Costume designers resized costumes hours before performances, only to amend them again once the original cast members came out of isolation. Year 12 student George Hanmer, who played the lead role, moved into his grandparent’s house to avoid contracting COVID from his parents and siblings.

Performing Arts at The King’s School help students to build confidence, learn to collaborate and communicate effectively and express themselves creatively. There is always an element of pressure and students need to work as a team to overcome problems, but the result gives all involved a great deal of satisfaction.