School's Annie sets new quality bar

190415PBAnnie03 FINE PERFORMANCE: Devon Harnett as Miss Hannigan in a scene during rehearsals for Annie. PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS

JOAN: PACE! ENERGY! These are my favourite words when directing a play and, in my view, the secret of a successful production.
They were there with bells on in Wanganui High School's presentation of the musical Annie at the Opera House last week. I had loved their last production Crazy For You. It was well above the expectations of a school musical and took me by surprise. Last year I saw Epsom Girls' Grammar, Auckland's offering of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, and thought that was the best school show I had ever seen. Until last Friday!
I have a vested interest in Annie. I performed in the Amdram production in 1991 as Miss Hannigan. I loved the role and the musical and it was a good show. I was prepared to be "picky" about High School's work. Some hope! I was enthralled from the start. Their production was outstanding.
I would like to work backwards from the ensemble scenes to the individual performances. The big numbers were superb! Every one of the huge cast gave their all throughout. THERE was the energy I love, the unity of purpose which must come from the talented directors with their own commitment, knowledge of theatre and the kind of personality that commands respect and, almost, adoration. High School has always had a united staff and every one of them must have been behind this show, working behind the scenes, encouraging. The singing was sharp and always "in the mood" of the scene. The choreography was slick, not a single mistake from anyone. Set, costumes and lighting were great (another gem, Mrs Hardcastle!), and the local orchestra was a joy to listen to. So the students had amazing support. However, out on that large stage with an audience full of expectation and excitement, the theatre can be a lonely and scary place! There was never a sign of that. The cast had total control of the evening and they were in charge of us! The excitement felt in performing was communicated to us out there and we were captivated. Wow!
Getting a main role in a school show is a big thing! If you are already hooked on the theatre, it is the best! The roles in Annie are as well known as are the songs ... a daunting prospect indeed. Playing younger than your own age is tricky, playing older then you are is hard. The student principals in the show met this challenge and added this ability to their most impressive stage presence, fine rendition of melodies and assured characterisation. Wonderful stuff.
Annie is the show's title and the work succeeds or fails with the person playing this role. Brilliant casting by the directors, Colin Hedivan and Nola Todd, brought us Shaila-Anne Hawkins. Mel Hawkins, her mother, is a fine local actor and she has been a huge support to Shaila in her already extensive local theatre career. Shaila, you were great! You filled the stage with your presence yet you worked as a team player, never upstaging the rest. You looked right, sang beautifully - your high notes were thrilling - and your energy knew no bounds. Never stereotyped, Shaila brought a freshness to a well-worn character. This lass has a great deal of natural talent but she has the other ingredients of a fine actress. She is thirsty to learn, humble in success and a warm and vital young woman. A small point (but not really) was the controlled way she coped when the belt on her dress dropped to the floor during a chorus number. She showed no outward reaction but her "third eye" was at work and at the perfect moment, when least in view, she picked it up and threw it quickly offstage so it was cleared for the next scene. That is the sign of a true professional.
So, a great production. A lot of proud and happy families and pupils. A chance for so many onstage, and especially off, to taste the thrill of being part of success. My special compliments to stage manager Sam Wright. How did you manage your end without total collapse!
JOAN: I attended an excellent meeting last Friday. Held at the Council Offices and chaired by our Arts Co-Ordinator, Debbie Kapohe, it presented the first opportunity in my 40-year link with theatre in Whanganui, to meet with other interested participants in the Performing Arts only. Music, both classical and jazz were represented, as were opera and dance. Choral music was also in the mix. Mike and I were there for theatre. Maori Arts were well represented too and, interestingly enough, a young man with IT skills and experience. All of us were proud to be part of the Arts in our city and all expressed a desire to move forward in promoting our performance occasions and having a purpose-built Arts Centre which would provide performance and rehearsal areas for all these creative areas, a place where the lighting, acoustics, size, cost and audience appeal would be totally inclusive. Carterton Arts Centre, so recently opened, was quoted as an example of what can be done with enthusiasm, hard work and support from the community. There the people have combined a perfectly equipped theatre ... good enough to tempt professional artists from outside their small community to ask to perform there. Rehearsal space, a lecture theatre, a library, a music area, a foyer perfect for visual arts displays and musical interludes and a hall perfect for local groups such as Scouts, martial arts, youth clubs, in fact any group, to use. It has a paid co-ordinator and is an area that everyone feels ownership of and enjoys using, both as participant and audience. In this context, Debbie gave us even more chance for enthusiasm by quoting a concept known as "Creative Cities". This was a new idea to all of us and we promised to read up on the theory and its instigator, Charles Landry. Debbie told us that Sydney, such a city to marvel at, had been, like most of us felt Whanganui still was, a mass of small societies, talents and creative juices. However, all struggled in solitary frustration because there was no cohesive ideal or communication to support them. I can speak personally as to how amazing Sydney has become due to following this creative process. We should bring it into our smaller city and co-ordinate our talents.
Debbie, along with Councillor Helen Craig, has spread enthusiasm for the Arts at Council, with Mayor Main's firm support. The new Arts Policy is being created and Debbie has done much to consult all of Whanganui as to how we see our creative side being expressed, and supported by local government. We need to keep working hard to consult, encourage and make use of all the talented people we have here in the city. Debbie led us in ideas for a group to combine all these possibilities. Sensibly, she asked us to name the roles that should be filled in such a group rather than WHO should be included. We came up with ... a co-ordinator capable of going out to all groups and individuals, listening well and bringing back ideas, needs and offers to the main group. We felt all aspects of the Arts should be represented by a knowledgeable and hard-working member of each discipline. The local media should play a part as well as the Council. More ideas are to come.
It was a good start. We said how much we had enjoyed the chance to meet, express our views and be ready to support and share. Communication has always been the main stumbling block. Much of this would be avoided if we all worked in a building equipped to meet all our needs but we also need still a data base of each of us involved in the arts, which is properly managed and constantly updated and which would enable us to group according to our aims and needs at any one time.
The policy is in progress. We expressed a desire to move alongside the printed word by being pro-active in getting things moving in a practical way. There is to be a hopefully well-attended meeting in June which will be widely advertised. I encourage everyone to attend. There must be enthusiasm shown and commitment made if this is to succeed. Words are necessary but actions are needed now. Please read up on the "Creative Cities" policy and its success in other cities. Please contact Debbie or Helen or even me (!) to share idea or questions. Tell members of your society or group about all this. Let's make use of Debbie and Helen's desire to have a better future for the creative side of our beloved city. This is our chance for real progress. Wow again!
MIKE and JOAN: A personal thanks, once again this season, to our very special "Chestnut Man". In spite of personal setbacks and in spite of this not being a good chestnut season, Peter Williamson visited us twice with this delicious treat ... for us the most nostalgic memory of England evenings. Peter never stays for our thanks. He is a most gentle and unassuming man. We are in his debt and he reminds us of why we love living here.
¦Ideas and comments to mjstreet@xrrrtra.co.nz