With rehearsals already underway from the second week of September, students are showing off their drama skills in preparation for Limavady Grammar School’s rendition of ‘All Shook Up’. Those involved will be giving up their free time to perfect their acting, dancing, and singing with the production team of Mrs Gordon (Director) and Dr. Collins (Musical Director) in order to make the show a success.
The musical is set in a 1950s American town and centres around a mystery visitor, who uses the power of rock ‘n’ roll music to upend the town’s conservative laws. His arrival brings a series of romantic entanglements along with mistaken identities that take inspiration from Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, ‘Twelfth Night’. The plot subsequently follows the often hilariously mis-matched love affairs of ten characters and, naturally enough, all is well that ends well!
Students were invited to audition on their first week back in front of the two lead teachers, who heard exciting performances ranging from Happy Birthday to Elvis’ ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’. One pupil, who sang ‘Seventeen’ from the musical ‘Heathers’, said the auditions were “totally nerve-wracking, but a lot of fun and definitely worth it”. She was delighted to have gotten a principal role and encouraged others to give it a go next year – regardless of experience in school productions.
Mrs Gordon and Dr Collins were faced with many difficult decisions, but after a weekend of deliberation they reached agreement and chose over 40 of the best auditonees to make up the company of ‘All Shook Up’ 2024. These included Scott Hawthorne and Jay Lapsley as leads Chad and Natalie, along with 9 other principals, ranging from KS3 through to KS5.
Those chosen now spend their lunches, afternoons and weekends rehearsing in school, honing their performing skills. After their first Saturday rehearsal, where they played ice-breakers and went over their first musical number, the actors were introduced to the choreography director Venessa Chapman and jumped right into acrobatics with her. Despite being exhausted from the week of school before, students seem really energetic in rehearsals, with chorus member Zina Tagg describing them as a “great opportunity to expand your skills and social circle all while having an amazing time”.
Whilst there are more than two months away from the real thing, preparations for backstage and props are already in progress, with Mrs Cupples and Mrs O’Brien in charge of the two departments. Students have been eager to sign up to these as well, despite the lack of spotlight, and other backstage crews (hair and make-up; sound and lighting) will set up closer to the performance dates but, based on how things are going, they will likely also see big student and staff involvement.
Everybody involved is thrilled to be able to hear classic Elvis hits, like ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and ‘Jailhouse Rock’, being sung and acted out by such a promising amateur theatre group and they are definitely ready for the next couple of weeks to fly in as the opening date on the 4th of December approaches.
By Boyd O’Neill
