Huge cast on fire in Disco Inferno

AT THE FLICKS: Jack (Gordon Kellick) and Jane (Ella Major) on their first date at the Rialto Cinema in 1970. PHOTO/SUZANNE OLIVER

The latest Wairarapa College production Disco Inferno sealed together lashings of footwork and new faces, says director Gavin McEwen, and was "hugely rewarding" for cast, crew and audiences alike.

The retro 70s song and dance musical is loosely based on the story of Faust, tracing the tale of Jack and his devoted girlfriend Jane.

Jack loses his sweetheart and yearns for his innocent life after trading his soul for the hollow trappings of fortune and fame.

Mr McEwen said a core group of dancers had distinguished the Wairarapa College production of the musical and had boosted numbers in the cast, helping create "by far" the largest of any production he had led.

"Logistically it is a nightmare, but when it all comes together and we fill our huge stage then it's visually exciting," he said.

An abundance of "amazing" dancers had been on hand, Mr McEwen said, and he had left the choreography to the students themselves.

"The dances were fun, fast and exciting to watch. The level of responsibility that the four choreographers took on was brilliant," he said.

The backstage crew, led by student Charlotte Nilsson, had also been largely self-directed and were vital to the success of the production, he said, with musical directors Lucy Wise and Belinda Carey managing "a loud, vibrant sound and atmosphere".

A number of new faces had taken lead roles in the production as well, he said, with the principals' ranks including several newcomers to the stage. "At least half our leads were first time in a major role, some had never even been in a production," he said.

"I have received a lot of great feedback, especially from people who were able to reminisce, and have been really happy about the positive feedback from students who never, ever like shows or musicals," Mr McEwen said.

The musical was performed for students and for visiting primary school pupils and rest home residents, Mr McEwen said, and the glowing community feedback had been deserved.

"I am immensely proud of our cast, crew and musicians. The thing I enjoy the most is watching our students grow in confidence and ability over the process and being in a production is something that our students will never forget, they learn new things, they meet new people and they've pulled it together to create a very rewarding show."