Innisfail Junior/Senior High School's student gathering area (SGA) will be bursting with energy on December 13 and 14.
The school's drama 20/30 classes, taught by Rob Burton, will perform the musical Arabian Nights, three times for members of the public on both dates, and one time for the younger students at the school.
Walking into the drama room last week, there was an unmistakable ball of energy heating up from the teacher and his 21 students.
Written by Perkins and Forde, Arabian Nights is a musical based on the larger piece of classic literature, 101 Arabian Nights, that focuses in on four stories and the theme piece, the story of Scheherazade.
“Arabian Nights is going to be a fantastic presentation, one that I am going to enjoy very much,” Burton explained. “We tell the stories Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, The Fisherman and the Genie, Fool and the Donkey, and The Little Beggar, but I play a very small role in this other than provide the opportunity. My students from drama 20/30 are both actors and technicians.”
Burton handed every aspect of the performances over to the students.
“I have students who perform the music, who act as stagehands, set designers, actors and even ‘perform' as part of the scenery and sets,” said Burton. “As we don't have a huge budget for sets, students not involved directly in the scene are the sets.
“Our cave of wonders is students intertwining their arms, and using fabric to create a sense of mystery,” he added. “Doors are often two students standing with outstretched hands touching. Not only do the actors have character, even the scenery has character. There is so much creativity in these kids, I am amazed.”
When asked how the students would describe the show, they answered in a variety of ways, and often interrupted each other enthusiastically. A ‘whimsical romance based on childhood dreams come true', ‘fun and quirky', and ‘open to all age groups' were common answers.
As if cued by an invisible Arabian genie, the students broke into a frenzied whirlwind of activity, briefly coming to rest as they recreated scenes from their show. The cave of wonders came to life as squirming students poked their heads out from under gold-coloured fabric squares. Aladdin looked in alarm into the eyes of the donkey. The four-armed genie countered the fisherman, who had mistakenly opened the bottle, not sure of what he was receiving once he asked for his wish.
Brant Dickson, who plays the genie, was enthusiastic in his performance. The donkey, James Tysoe, who presumably provides comic relief, was equally energetic.
Burton was praiseful of his students' roles in the show. “Natalie Woodruff is our musical director and singing teacher as well. She has Royal Conservatory training, and is doing a magnificent job,” said Burton. “Kayla Parry and Grace Turnbull are both in charge of promotion, and other kids have stepped up beyond expectations. This will be wildly successful.”
Performances of Arabian Nights will be held Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec.14 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the school's SGA. Tickets are available at the door for $5, and the box office opens a half hour before the presentation. To reserve tickets, call Innisfail High School at 403-227-3244.
