Whistle Down the Wind by Mary Hayley Bell

Given the need to co-ordinate with the music, it was essential to achieve such ease of movement in order to provide the seamless change of scene that the show required. Our hardy backstage crew had by this time been long at work constructing a revolvable set comprising a series of interiors, a bridge and a lych-gate which had to move between scenes at no more than 20 seconds per move. Frantic Bump-inĪll too quickly, we found ourselves making final preparations for the frantic 'bump-in' to the Stonnington Theatre. Having auditioned in the heat of summer, we settled into the regular rehearsal process which preoccupied us well into the depths of winter. This certainly tested the ability of our singers who, along with Mr Ferguson, must have felt a little daunted at times!

On some occasions, one finds the cast having to sing in three parts, with different words and with counterpoising rhythms. The musical score for this show is particularly difficult when compared with other shows attempted by schools. Rehearsals were under way by the end of the long weekend and parts were finally allotted. Casting began in mid February and it took two weeks to complete the mandatory acting and singing auditions for the students from Scotch and St Catherine's. The rehearsal process for the school plays will be familiar to many readers, and this production was no exception. The recent Scotch production in late July was the show's first production in Victoria and only the second to be staged in Australia.

Probably because of the large number of children required in the cast, this show so highly acclaimed by Stephen Sondheim, still awaits its first fully professional debut. starring Hayley Mills.Īs a musical, however, it was first workshopped in 1992 by the National Youth Music Theatre in Britain. Readers of the last Great Scot will have seen the advertisement for this year's Senior Musical, Whistle Down The Wind.įirst written as a novel by Mary Hayley Bell in 1958, it later became widely known as Richard Attenborough's classic film. 'Whistle Down The Wind'.a music and drama triumph

Whistle Down the Wind by Mary Hayley Bell