Acting principal proud of Hunterville School's Lion King production

Hunterville School, Hunterville. Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Wanganui Chronicle photograph by Bevan Conley.

Colleen Dalley is the proud acting principal of Hunterville School.

She is a teacher who has worked and studied in many fields of learning.

Taking charge of Hunterville School at the start of this year, her term was initially until the end of July. But plans changed and a new principal won't be announced or come on board until the start of 2019, she said.

Though she looks forward to returning to the classroom and teaching again, she said filling in for the remainder of the year was another adventure.

"It's very busy but I'm enjoying every minute of it.''

Even though it has been school holidays over the past two weeks the faithful cast, director and crew of the school's upcoming production of The Lion King have been at school rehearsing for a few days.

"Painting and building the set has been a marathon effort by teachers and parents. We are so lucky here that the parents and the community get very closely involved with the school.''

The Lion King will be presented at the school on May 10 and 11 with matinees.

"Friday's performance is booked out already."

Hunterville School was renowned throughout the Rangitikei for their musicals, she said.
"We stage a great musical every two years."

Former principal Stephen Lewis had said that though Hunterville School might be miles from Broadway it had staged some wonderful productions, including Alice in Wonderland with a cast of hundreds.

The Lion King is directed by Hawke's Bay director Wendy Revell who also directed the school's last show The Wizard of Oz.

She said the young Hunterville actors were "great kids making great shows".

The Lion King story takes place in a kingdom of lions in Africa and was influenced by Shakespeare's Hamlet.

It tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is to succeed his father, Mufasa, as King of the Pride Lands; but after Simba's uncle Scar (Mufasa's jealous younger brother), murders Mufasa, Simba is manipulated into thinking he was responsible and flees into exile.

Dalley said the production was quite a feat.

"It is a very exciting show for our children to do and I am loving it to."