Dannevirke: School upstage in Oliver!

Dannevirke's Totara College has produced a wealth of theatrical talent, with seven associated with the school in the Scanpower season of Oliver! on stage in Dannevirke and Palmerston North in April. Back, from left, Zacc Charlton, working backstage, teacher Jonny Max, publican, and Michelle Charlton, production secretary. Front, from left, Joel and Malachi Charlton and Elijah Max, the orphans, with Abigail Max. Photo/Christine McKay

At Dannevirke's Totara College music and drama are nurtured so much that grease paint almost flows through the veins of pupils, staff and management.

Although just a small school, five pupils, a teacher and the chairman of the board of trustees are all part of a local production of Oliver!.

A joint production between Regent on Broadway Promotions and the Dannevirke Theatre Company, the Scanpower season of the popular musical is a big drawcard for those associated with the school.

"Drama and music are huge here at our school, thanks to teacher Ruth Peters," said production secretary Michelle. "My two sons Joel and Malachi are always on stage and their big brother Zacc is working with the props and backstage for Oliver!. It's a big undertaking.

"I'm helping with wardrobe and make-up and it's the first time that I've done the work of the production secretary. I'm very privileged to have been given the chance and opportunity to do it."

Michelle said it was a pleasure to work with both Totara College and the Dannevirke Theatre Company.

"As a small community I feel it's important we get behind our local schools and other organisation like the theatre," she said.

Totara College teacher Jonny Max plays the publican as well as understudy for the role of Bill Sykes, while his son Elijah is one of the orphans with Joel and Malachi.

"My daughter Abigail is one of the toffs in the crowd and we're all enjoying our time with the production," he said. "I appreciate all the work behind the scenes, because without those backstage we couldn't do the production."

With rehearsals held in Palmerston North, transporting the Dannevirke cast and crew through the Manawatu Gorge was a big logistical production in itself, Michelle said.

"A lot of time people don't realise what work goes on behind the scenes, especially with so many children involved," she said. "Daneline have been very supportive and we rely on their buses to get us over to Palmerston North."

Tickets are now on sale for Oliver!, which opens in Palmerston North at the Regent on Broadway on Friday, April 11 and runs to Saturday, April 19. The Dannevirke Town Hall season runs from Wednesday, April 30 to Saturday, May 3.