CAROUSEL
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March 8 to 24
Miner’s Lamp Theatre
Tickets: 42848348 or www.arcadians.org.au
Staging a musical is always a challenge, but when that musical includes a cast of 45 - including two teams of child actors - the logistical demands rise exponentially.
The Arcadians Theatre Group has been working on its production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel since before Christmas.
And, while everything from set design and costuming to rehearsals has thrown up obstacles, producer Patricia Green, speaking a week ahead of Friday's opening night, said that all that remained to be done was a bit of last-minute polishing.
"It is a big production and a big cast," Green said.
"We've got two casts of 10 children - so that's 20 children we're working with. Plus, there are 25 adults in the show. It has been a busy time.
"They are learning the music, they are singing in harmony, they are learning the dances and then they've got dialogue, so on it goes.
"Costume-wise, we've really exhausted our costume supplies, just to keep things in the right era."
With 35 people on stage for some of the numbers, their stage movements had to be tightly choreographed and the set designed to accommodate a crowd.
"It's a crowded space," Green said.
"Everybody is on stage for the opening scene. It has no singing or dialogue, it's just The Carousel Waltz music and all the activity at the carousel at the fair, people coming and going.
"Malcolm White, our director, and Paul Greer have designed the setting for the stage and they have tried to keep that in mind - keeping it a little simpler so that we do have the space when we have the full cast on stage for a few of the numbers.
"We have a pseudo-carousel on the stage for the opening number that looks absolutely beautiful.
"It has got a big canopy and then some beautifully done cut-out horses that the cast actually move about themselves. It's a really lovely effect."
Working with two separate casts of children has also presented numerous challenges.
"Making sure they get equal time rehearsing is an interesting task to keep track of," Green said.
"'We have a 10-show season and each of those casts will do five shows. One group opens the season and one group closes, so that works out well.
"The kids have been having a ball, they have been really enjoying it. I often say they put the adults to shame - they are ready to go and the adults are still fiddling about."
Green is confident that all the hard work will result in a spectacular show. Set in 19th century America, Carousel tells the story of carnival barker Billy Bigelow and the various troubles that beset him and his wife, Julie, and later, their daughter, Louise.
"It's a sad story but it's quite powerful and uplifting, and all comes good in the end," Green said.
"Audiences will see some wonderful dancing and hear some wonderful singing.
"There is the colour of the carousel and the costuming that goes with it.
"We have a really beautiful ballet scene with Billy's daughter, Louise - it's like a dream sequence. It is quite a standout part of the performance."