Students were involved in every aspect of the performance, from singing and dancing to makeup and set design. Their effort certainly paid off.

Zach Johnson looked at home on stage playing the role of Albert Peterson. New to Yass High this year, Zach has performed in many other productions including; Quantum Leap Dance Ensemble, and many lead roles in previous musicals at Mt Carmel. 

Between hair, makeup and costuming, Emily Parker aged ten, played the part of Peterson’s secretary, Rosie. She set a high standard with her rendition of “An English Teacher”, the first solo of the show.

The remaining performances showed that Yass High is full of talented musicians. A range of different singers performed favourites such as “How Lovely to be a Woman”, “Put on a Happy Face” and “Kids”, with none of them missing a note.

Edward Hinch burped, slouched and swung his hips around as Conrad Birdie, leaving his audience laughing (and the other characters swooning). More giggles followed when Joanna Devey took to the stage as Peterson’s overbearing mother, and again the crowd was in stitches when Rosie was carried kicking and screaming out of a bar on Charissa Cresswell’s shoulders.

School captain Annie Hill, recipient of the Dr R.A.G Holmes Music Scholarship,  shone as Kim MacAfree, the naïve teenager selected to receive Conrad’s last kiss. Bye Bye Birdie was Annie’s last stage performance for the school, as she graduates at the end of this year.

Students and teachers worked for 15 weeks to create a show that would live up to last year’s reputation, and they did an amazing job. Even the intermission was handled by students, with the new hospitality kitchen put to use to create snacks and hot drinks for the audience.

Director and drama teacher, Phillipa Aldridge, deflected all praise to her students, saying, “they’re great to work with, very professional and hardworking”. 

Ruth Riach, head of the Creative and Performing Arts faculty, commented that students took what they learned from last year’s show, as well as all the other performance opportunities throughout the year, and delivered an even better production this year.

Principal Sandra Hiscock said that experience has helped production value.  

“Our second musical of recent years clearly benefited from increasing experience and skills development, evident by the polished acting and active chorus,” she said. 

“Special thanks go to Ruth Riach and Phillipa Aldridge for the overall organisation, but the immense efforts of all those students, teachers, parents and other helpers who contributed, both on and off the stage, must be acknowledged. A great team effort and an outstanding success.”

The crowds grew bigger each night, with Friday’s performance capping off a very busy term. Teachers, friends, family and members of the public attended the shows and came away impressed. There were plenty of moments to laugh and no one seemed to mind some younger children dancing in their seats. The students themselves enjoyed every minute, and will no doubt be looking for the chance to put on another show next year.