When it comes to musicals in Perth there is usually, at most, only one professional touring show on at a time. This means that community theatres play a significant role in increasing the number of options on offer, giving us all significantly more opportunities to see shows. After my latest experience, it is clear that schools are now also capable of holding their own in the Perth theatre scene.
Quinns Baptist College (QBC) put on Aladdin Jr. this week and it was sensational. When I went to school we put on some pretty average shows that had been written by the teachers. It was basically a way for us to have a go at being on stage in front of our parents as the supportive crowd. But it seems that those days are gone; Aladdin Jr. was genuinely entertaining, worthy of advertising to the general public, not just their own school community. And don’t be put off by the “Junior” in the title. This indicates a somewhat abridged version, designed with student performers in mind but there is by no means a reduction in quality.
When we first entered the foyer at QBC we were met by a room transformed into Agrabah. The decoration was more than I can remember at any show and created plenty of anticipation and atmosphere.
How did they do that?!
But that was just the beginning. This production was insanely impressive. QBC, are you sure these aren’t professionals that you have made look like high school students?
Take, for example, the choreography. There was swinging on ropes, acrobatics on a catwalk, break dancing, a flying carpet, and other risky choreography that had to work perfectly first time or else. And they nailed it all. Supporting this was a well-tuned stage management that got the timing spot on. Not once during the show was there an awkward pause or obvious error.
The sets were impressive. I wonder if schools actually have an advantage here in that they have plenty of hands to help, and access to more resources. The use of projection was also effective and created scenes like the Cave of Wonders and starry night sky. Oh and did I mention the pyrotechnics?! This caught the audience by surprise and the nicest thing was that it was appropriate for the moment; they hadn’t included it just for the sake of it or because a parent wanted an excuse to use their new toy.
The Cast
The cast last night set the standard for school productions. The merchant in the opening scene provided a strong beginning. Aladdin and his goons brought humour, delivering their lines with impact. Jasmine played the strong-willed princess in a fashion true to the original film. Jafar and his sidekick Iago were the classic Disney villains. And then the Genie produced an outstanding triple-threat performance, owning the stage as if she’d been on Broadway for years. She went well beyond delivering lines; she became the Genie. And everyone could sing and act with confidence along the way.
I don’t have time to explain in detail the outstanding costumes, the quality background acting, the masterful ensemble dancing, or the extravagant finale. Suffice it to say the whole package blew the audience away; there is a reason it sold out and demanded extra seats be released.
Congratulations
Aladdin Jr. was a smart choice; the script is witty and entertaining. But I suspect that it wouldn’t have mattered what QBC selected, it was always going to be good. The staff and students should be so proud and no doubt it couldn’t have happened without support from the broader school community too. This was a well-managed complex project with attention to detail, enthusiasm and passion, and technical skill that will quickly get QBC a reputation, if they don’t already. With the rights to dozens of Junior show versions available these days, school productions are popping up regularly. The hardest part might be finding out about them. Whatever you do, don’t miss the next one at Quinns Baptist College.
