ANASTASIA EXCURSION – Musical Theatre MAP

Last Wednesday, 18th February Musical Theatre MAP students (and a few special extras) were excited to have the opportunity to see a live musical in the city. After a peaceful train journey accompanied by MCS graduate Lior (on his way to uni) we walked down to the National Gallery of Victoria where students worked in teams to explore the gallery on a photo treasure hunt. Most notable image captured and slightly edited by Olissia and her team was this likeness of SPR and BGM. 

Having enjoyed lunch at Southbank food court, we then made out way up to the famous Regent Theatre on Collins Street to see Anastasia. Students were awed by the lights and architecture of this grand old building from the street but that was nothing compared to what we discovered inside.

Ornate ceilings, comfortable club-lounge style seating, an open orchestra pit, royal boxes (no longer in use) and oh so many sparkly lights!

The production wowed us with it’s incredible set design (the rotating skeleton of a train carriage matched perfectly with moving projections being one highlight) and grand costuming of Russian royalty. The vocals and choreography worked perfectly together, and students wondered at the moving set pieces and transformative lighting. For those who know theatre royalty, we were excited to see Nancye Hayes and Rhonda Birchmore in the flesh.

Anastasia is essentially a story of loss and love, and the agonising decisions life sometimes forces us to make. Some of us were familiar with the Disney movie and even those who came along for the theatre experience rather than the story itself, ended up loving this show. For some, it was their first live theatre experience and even their first trip into the city without their immediate family, but we had an awesome day. Discussions in this week’s MAP show the huge amount of personal and theatre-related interest and growth this excursion provided. 

Perhaps the sweetest moment was realising that the primary school group seated behind us were there to see their classmate perform the role of young Anastasia, and the buzz of lovely conversations shared between the two groups. What a fabulous experience for all involved!

BGM