But Federation University’s Arts Academy students are set to present their take of the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie at Her Majesty’s Ballarat next month.

The main cast is made up of final year students, whose performances are effectively an assessment task.

However, beyond that, Millie would be a lavish, old-school musical, director and choreographer David Wynen said. 

“We did it in 2010 to a sell-out season and this is one of the strongest companies I’ve worked with,” Mr Wynen said. “Two years ago we had very great success with 42nd Street and Cabaret, and this will be as strong and bold as 42nd Street and Cabaret. It is based on the Julie Andrews film from 1967 and is set in the 1920s. The others were set in the 1920s and 30s but that’s a coincidence.

“It is a madcap sort of farce.”

The story is centred on Millie (played by final year student Nicole Kaminski), who flees small town Kansas to New York and sets her sights on wooing rich boss Trevor Graydon III (Quin Kelly). 

However, Graydon has eyes for Miss Dorothy (Molly Fisher). Meanwhile, carefree bachelor Jimmy (Ryan Smedley), who at first tells Millie to go back to Kansas, falls for her. All the while, hotel proprietress Mrs Meers (Tess Branchflower) plots an altogether different ending for Miss Dorothy.

Mr Wynen said students of the Arts Academy were exposed to a variety of genres over the course of their studies.

“Within our course we do various things,” he said. “They do cabaret, they do a modern show and they do a more traditional style. So they get a well-rounded experience. 

“Our second year (production) was rock musical. Then this, which is a traditional old-school musical in a big theatre.

“The next semester’s big show is The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which is based on a Dickens novel and is dark and macabre.”

The young cast and crew are supported by experienced directors. 

Music director Robyn Womersley has had experience in big  professional productions of Wicked and Miss Saigon. 

Mr Wynan has experience dancing on Broadway in New York and with the production of Billy Elliot, while assistant director Leah Lim is a working professional who is about to start rehearsals for Matilda in Sydney. 

“With the last few shows Robyn and myself have done, people will know they will have a good night out,” Mr Wynan said. “It would appeal to a very broad audience.”

gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Thoroughly Modern Millie

WHERE: Her Majesty’s Theatre

WHEN: June 4-6

TICKETS: from $10-$40 

www.hermaj.com or 5333 5888