Rising star and Old Collegian, Rory Nolan is set to play one of the lead roles in the Auckland production of Mamma Mia. The musical premieres at The Civic on 4 March and Rory will play Sky, the fiancé of the young female lead. He is currently juggling his acting with studying law at the University of Auckland and has also been interning at a large law firm in the city.

Rory attended the Boys’ School from 2003-2004 where he was a Prefect in Year 8, and joined the College in 2003 until graduating in 2009. He is best remembered at the College for the lead role he played as Jean Valjean in the production of ‘Les Miserables’. Along with this role, he says he was lucky enough to play characters in the College productions of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’. He says his time playing Jean Valjean was a particular highlight and that it was amazing to play such an epic and iconic musical role at such a young age.

‘I was relatively inexperienced at that stage, and I feel that it was the time I spent playing this role which ignited my passion and performance and equipped me with the necessary theatre skills to progress forward,’ he says.

Rory says without the support he received from the fantastic Music and Drama Departments at Saint Kentigern College, he definitely would not be appearing in Mamma Mia today. He says his teachers, Ms Emma Bishop and Mr Ross Gerritsen, provided tremendous opportunities for him to thrive in the College’s Performing Arts.

‘I am very grateful of the support I was given by these two teachers and also the entire College which has provided me with both the necessary experience and confidence to progress my singing career,’ he says.

Along with Rory’s lead character role, the Saint Kentigern community has numerous supportive links with the musical. Old Collegians Mark Bradley, Christopher Wardle and George Everts each have backing vocal roles, College Drama teacher Miss Cathy Rood has been cast in the female ensemble and Ms Bishop has been involved in costume creation.

Opening night is next Tuesday 4 March and will run at The Civic until 23 March. Tickets from ticketmaster.co.nz or phone (09) 970 9700. 

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