It was fantastic to welcome back a group of Recent Old Collegians to a pre-show gathering on the closing night of Blood Brothers. In a first for the Old Collegians, former students who had been actively involved in drama and musical productions during their time at College, and have stayed in contact in the intervening years, were invited to a function prior to closing night of this year’s College musical, Blood Brothers. It was great to see so many ‘key thespians’ return and there was much laughter as they reflected back on their time together in shows that spanned back as far as Stefan Katz, as a young Year 9, playing the title role of Oliver in 2006.

Blood Brothers marked, Head of Music, Ross Gerritsen’s 10^th musical production at the College and he, along with Head of Drama, Ms Emma Bishop, welcomed the former students to the function supported by the Old Collegians Association and hosted by the College co-ordinators, Malcolm Cowie and Glennis Pearson.

The group represented actors on stage, members of the show orchestra and those involved with the back stage crew from props, to lighting, makeup, hair and costumes. There was much chatter and reflection back to their involvement in the shows and the impact it had at the time and now later in life. It was interesting to note the reaction at the end of the show. They were universally blown away by the quality of the show they had just seen; the reality was, they had never seen a College production before – they’d always been in them!

Earlier in the week, another former star of the Saint Kentigern stage attended the opening night. Ashton Brown played the title role of Joseph in 2005 and was so moved by the production of Blood Brothers that he wrote a review of the show. Click the link to see what Ashton had to say:

Click to read review

A number of those in attendance have gone on to become involved on stage and in television as a career. Three former students enjoyed the involvement so much that they have come back to teach at the College. Oliver Gilmour teaches music, Lachlan Craig is our Choral Director and Ashton Brown has recently joined the staff as an itinerant speech and drama teacher.

In attendance: Stefan Katz, Emily Martin, Grace Sturgess, Manase Latu, Alice Finnegan, Grace Bradshaw, Sharnika Leleni, Stella Wilson-Staab, Mark Bradley, Theresa Hill, Matt Elwood, Nicolette Nes, George Everts, Grace Mackereth, Ellie Mackereth, Amy Russell, Casey Seto, Mike Macaulay, Brendan Ludlum, Sean Bussler, Elliot Bishop, Jono Bacon, Michelle Talbot, Anneliese Longstaff, Oliver Gilmore, Lachlan Craig. 

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