By Callum Ludwig
Upper Yarra Secondary College (UYSC) successfully hosted its 2021/2022 production of ‘Beanstalk: A Fractured Tale of Best Friends, Wizards & Flying Cars!’ last week, after a two-and-a-half-year long wait.
Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions held back the performance, written by UYSC VCE Media and Drama teacher and Production Coordinator Brett Jenkins.
Mr Jenkins, joined by Cooper Allum (Jack), James Drysdale (Jill) and Sophie Gray (Patty), said the production reflected the sense of positivity surrounding high school.
“I wanted to provide the kids with a show they were optimistic about and then when school’s over will remain a good memory. Something they reflect on fondly,” he said.
“For year 12’s like Sophie, I wanted it to be a pleasant break from school. Something for them to say school’s over here but I’ve got an awesome production to go to.”
James said the production felt special having been written by Mr Jenkins, based on a production he and his friends performed when he was in high school.
“It felt like we were bringing something he worked so hard on to life even when Covid hit and we were all stuck at home and all expecting the show to be coming up soon,” he said.
“It was still fun to rehearse it over Zoom because we all improvised a bit and were able to give emotion to the show without actually performing.”
The show finally hit the stage in front of a live audience Wednesday 23 March to Friday 25 March.
Cooper said performing to an audience brought a new lease of life to the show, hearing the seats roar with laughter.
“Seeing them react to it for the first time after we’ve rehearsed it hundreds of times brought the freshness of the experience back to us. Especially because I reckon we were gradually getting sick of going to rehearsals over and over again,” he said.
The show made the utmost of its creative license, being a spoof of the famous fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk.
Mr Jenkins said he thought the students really brought their own personalities to their characters.
“I tried to steer away from the idea that it’s my script and encouraged the students to do what you want. I had a saying that was essentially it’s very unlikely that I will say no to you,” Mr Jenkins said.
“I envision the show will likely be publishable for other schools, but the way you guys, particularly you three, brought your individual characters will be embedded into the script.”
The show will be made into a digital copy for those who missed it, particularly with Covid restrictions meaning one student missed out.
UYSC has hopes to dip its toes into musical showcase and theatre in future productions.
