Above: Students perform their version of the 1980s hit Mickey in the musical.The musical’s finale, during which the children finally convince music pirates not to pirate music from the internet. Left: Coomoora students perform the Elvis Presley hit Jailhouse Rock.By Sarah Schwager
COOMOORA Primary School’s first annual musical was a huge hit, featured a gigantic cast and four successful performances.
The musical, Burn, was about stopping people from pirating music from the internet.
About 120 students from the Springvale South school were involved in the musical, which was created and written by Coomoora Primary School grade four teacher and choir coordinator Larna Cleary.
The kids performed four times over two days, with the evening performances for family and friends and the day performances reserved for the other students and kindergarten kids.
“We had really good feedback from the parents,” Ms Cleary said.
“It was really successful. The kids were rapt.
“We already have a long list (of students) wanting to performing next year.”
The musical followed a group of children who were trying to retrieve music that had been stolen by pirates.
“It sends a message to the kids, or more to the parents,” Ms Cleary said. “Most of the kids weren’t aware of piracy.”
She said while she and arts teacher Christopher Williams coordinated the performance, the kids made most of the props.
She said there were originally meant to be 30 students in the musical but, somehow, that had ballooned to 120.
“They were so courageous to come and audition, I couldn’t say no,” Mrs Cleary said.
“It’s important for them to come and experience what it’s like.
“Also I didn’t want that Australian Idol thing where people feel they’re not good enough.
“This way everyone got to have that experience of going backstage and dressing up in costume.”
The performances were held at Coomoora Secondary College in the drama room.
She said she was already planning next year’s musical.
