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Rehearsals are in full force for what looks set to be an amazing theatrical experience put on by students of a leading school in the kingdom and open to the community to enjoy.
Shrek the Musical will be staged at the British School of Bahrain’s (BSB) Hamala campus next month after almost one year of planning and auditions and a sneak preview will be performed during the International Family Fair on Friday.
The musical production is being directed by the BSB music and drama departments. “The cast is made up of students from both junior and senior school with ages ranging from eight to 17,” said Barry Kerr, director of music.
“The rehearsal process has been a collaborative exercise, where the students take the lead and use their creativity to explore and bring the text and music to life, we cast the play being inclusive, which means giving all students, no matter their ability, the opportunity to be involved.
“All the technical aspects – make-up, costumes, sound and lights are operated by the students with guidance from teachers.
“The whole school has been involved in creating a production company to put on this performance, including producing tickets and posters. The students have gained many skills that are transferable in their future careers even if they are not in the theatre or music world.
“We look at the whole process and the sharing of the work as a theatre for change and a celebration of the diverse backgrounds and cultures here at BSB.”
Box-office smash Shrek, the computer-animated comedy film series produced by DreamWorks Animation, is loosely based on a fairy-tale picture book of the same name by William Steig, and starred Hollywood stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow as the voices of the lead characters.
In the movie, Shrek finds his precious solitude suddenly shattered by an invasion of annoying fairy-tale characters who have been banished by a corrupt lord aspiring to be king, prompting him to make a deal to regain control of his swamp in return for rescuing Princess Fiona whom the fiend intends to marry.
With the help of Donkey, Shrek embarks on his quest but soon falls in love with the princess, who is hiding a secret that will change his life forever.
A planned fifth film has entered development and a stage musical has proved just as popular. The BSB production follows the animated movie very closely with the main thrust of the story-line being the budding friendship of Shrek and Donkey and, finally, Shrek’s romance with Fiona.
Shrek is a large, green, physically-intimidating ogre with a Scottish accent. Even though his background is something of a mystery, according to Shrek the Musical, it is revealed that on his seventh birthday, Shrek was sent away by his parents because it was an ogre tradition.
Myers, whose parents were from England, says he heard lots of expat Scottish accents when he was growing up in Canada. “It was weird,” he recalled. “It took a few times for me to get the voice right. I first tried it in a sort of Canadian accent, but it just didn’t connect, and, because fairy-tales are a European thing and ogres are more-earthy, the Scottish accent just felt right.”
Expat BSB sixth former Ross Laign, 17, has his Scottish parents, Glasgow-born mum Caroline and Fife-born dad, George, to thank for being able to master the main character’s voice, and said: “For anyone with Scottish-heritage Shrek is one of those movie immortals you can’t resist – I had to audition for the role!”
Should he need any help at school, Dunfermline-born Barry, has been on hand too. Before taking up teaching he was a professional musician, mastering in percussion instruments and performing with orchestras in countless shows, musicals and operas.
The actors will be backed by a small BSB orchestra made up of students and joined by a couple of teachers for the show’s three-night run.
On the acting front, head of drama Lee Bissell, from the northeast English town of Middlesbrough, tread the boards for 10 years as an actor, director, producer and technician as well as running a comedy club, has been watching rehearsals and has been ‘mightily impressed’ by the 60-strong cast of senior and junior school pupils’ work ethic and talent.
The role of Fiona will be played by South African sixth-former Neha Govind, 17, who said: “I’m sure families will love the show and the fact that it has been student-led in so many ways will also prove inspirational to other young people in the community and show we can achieve anything we set our minds too!”
Other main characters include Donkey played by American Salma Sarkis, 15, Dragon by Brit Annie Kennaugh, 18, Gingy by Belarussian Aliaksandra Estanom, 16, and Pinnochioby by South African Shiv Govind, 13.
Shrek the Musical will be staged in the BSB multi-purpose hall which will be transformed into a 350-seater theatre, from March 13-15, with curtains up at 7pm. Tickets are priced BD5 (BD2 for U12s) and will be sold by pupils at the ninth edition of the BSB International Family Fair on Friday at the Hamala campus, starting from 10am.
A big stage will be set up on the school’s AstroTurf sports fields and part of the entertainment programme planned with be the teasing excerpts from the show.
There’s a BD1 entry fee to the fair and money raised will go towards the purchase of ‘wish list’ extras to support the students. All are welcome to attend and the event runs until 3pm.
Shrek Musical tickets are also available from reception and on the nights of performance should any remain. A part of the proceeds will also be donated to a local charity.
