Theatre Preview
Eleanor Pearson 14 September 2015 Mermaid Dreaming
A 15-year-old girl falls asleep by the ocean on her birthday. But not before she makes a wish she soon lives to regret. When she wakes up she is a mermaid. And so unfolds a story with a slightly different spin from The Little Mermaid audiences are accustomed to, but one that promises to engage and delight children’s audiences who flock to Marian Street Theatre for Young People’s (M.S.T.Y.P.) productions.
For actor Brianna Gleeson, who just turned 15, the role of Grace, the little mermaid, is not such a stretch to play. But it’s a long way from her previous role with the company, playing lost boy, Tootles, in Peter Pan. “I’ve gone from playing a goofy little boy to a girl who’s more mature,” Brianna said.
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The Little Mermaid
Season Starting: Sunday September 20 (click on "Upcoming Events" for exact times.) Address: The Knox Business Studies Centre Auditorium, 7 Woodville Ave, Wahroonga NSW 2076 (between Borambil St and Woodville Ave)
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“Grace has such an amazing spirit. She’s really positive. She’s a good role model for children,” Brianna added.
At the beginning of every rehearsal the cast of The Little Mermaid warm up with vocal and movement exercises. For the cast, who range in ages from 13-21, it’s a familiar routine that has happened every Saturday and Sunday for the past two months.
At the beginning of every rehearsal the cast of The Little Mermaid warm up with vocal and movement exercises. For the cast, who range in ages from 13-21, it’s a familiar routine that has happened every Saturday and Sunday for the past two months.
Lochlan Boyd, 14, has worked with M.S.T.Y.P. since 2012, in a variety of roles behind the scenes, but will tread the boards in this production as Prince Christian and Chris. “When we came to the first rehearsal it was a room full of people you didn’t know, now everyone knows each other,” he acknowledged, warmly.
Most of the young actors I spoke with at a Saturday rehearsal echoed the same sentiment - the cast is now a tight-knit group. According to the actors, eldest cast member, Paige Sammut, 21, plays a key role here. When the cast meet off-set online on their Facebook page, Paige checks in with each person, and asks them how they are going. Stage manager Katherine Halliday, 16, said: “I’ll be on Facebook telling everyone what they need to bring for the next rehearsal, and Paige brightens things up.” |
Paige now works at HCF Health Insurance in an administrative role, but her parts in The Little Mermaid mean valuable performance experience, and she hopes one day to act in a T.V. soap opera.
“I want to be on Home and Away,” she said.
“I want to be on Home and Away,” she said.
For the young actors, the M.S.T.Y.P. experience is more than just a one-off chance to shine on stage, many wish to pursue careers in the arts. Being a part of The Little Mermaid team has taught them a range of skills, from voice projection to movement, and even puppetry! But probably the best thing that can come out of a positive performance encounter is the confidence it brings.
Brittany Myers, 16, swings and struts in her role as Serina the dugong, and summed it up perfectly:
“My character believes in herself. She knows she’s great, and won’t let anybody put her down…She says, being different is good. She’s a positive self-esteem role model.”
The Little Mermaid plays September 20-October 3, 2015
Brittany Myers, 16, swings and struts in her role as Serina the dugong, and summed it up perfectly:
“My character believes in herself. She knows she’s great, and won’t let anybody put her down…She says, being different is good. She’s a positive self-esteem role model.”
The Little Mermaid plays September 20-October 3, 2015
Performers and Crew
Grace
Prince Christian/Chris Serina the dugong Mermaid 1/Heather/Princess Heather Lilka a Lionfish Mermaid 2/Vicky/Princess Vicky Sea Witch Lencho a Lionfish Mermaid 3/Honey/Princess Honey Dad/Jolly Roger/Harold |
Brianna Gleeson
Lochlan Boyd Brittany Myers Sonia Elliott Ellie Jones Abbey Wilkinson Jessica Luck James Raffle Emerald Slater Luca Thomas Paige Sammut |
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