Ballarat musical theatre students are channeling the experiences of their counterparts during World War I in the Australian premiere of a new production The Battle of Boat.
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Students from Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts are the first in Australia to take on the challenging production written by English composer Ethan Lewis Maltby and lyricist Jenna Donnelly.
BCMA director Paula Heenan came across a song from Maltby last year, then contacted him to see what else he had.
“He sent me through material for The Battle of Boat, which had only been performed in England a couple of times, and he granted us the first-time rights outside England,” Ms Heenan said.
Set during WWI, the story follows the adventures of a children trying to find their place in a world at war, trying to understand what their fathers, brother and uncles are leaving home to fight for, believing that everything will return to normal someday, but not sure what they can do to help.
BCMA’s senior musical theatre students, aged 11 to 16, have taken on what Ms Heenen describes as the “most intricate score taught in full” at the Victoria Street school.
“The music itself is so intense and something many adult theatre companies wouldn’t do, with five-part harmonies that are really complex. These kids have worked so hard and they sound amazing.
“The songs will give you chills for their beauty and depth, interspersed with giggles at the ordinary, everyday kids language.”
The story deals with the absence of fathers and brothers at war, white feathers and their symbolism, bullying and friendships.
Ms Heenan said the BCMA students have taken on all of these themes with maturity and were passionate about presenting the work to as many members of the community as possible.
“They have all researched the story and are familiar with WWI and how children would have been grappling with these issues. It’s been really enlightening for them from that perspective,” Ms Heenan said.
BCMA will apply for funding in the hope of delivering this production to other audiences in to the future.
Ms Heenan said rehearsals had been tight, with many students also involved in school productions and other theatre company productions as well as juggling school and other interests.
The Battle of Boat is being performed as part of a triple bill with a junior production of Madagascar and the intermediate’s Into the Woods JR at Loreto College Performing Arts Centre on July 28 and 29. Tickets from trybooking.com.au
