“The kids have had a 60-hour week to put this on — to be rewarded with applause, there’s no other feeling like it.”
Helen Janke’s Initial Stages Theatre Company is hosting a one-night only performance of 1980s gem Xanadu set to dazzle audiences on Saturday, January 28 at Riverlinks Westside in Mooroopna.
This week, 23 theatre-lovers between 15 to 20 are choreographing, blocking and workshopping the forthcoming performance.
“Xanadu is a trip down memory lane, made famous by Olivia Newton-John and songs by Electric Light Orchestra,” Ms Janke said.
“All the students involved have a passion and love for theatre ... it’s amazing to see them go from strangers on Monday, to Saturday night crying after getting close, working intensively and relying on each other so heavily.”
Initial Stages closed its doors in November 2021, but Ms Janke wasn’t left waiting in the wings for long, as Shepparton’s youth were left without a proper outlet for their theatrical pursuits.
“There’s a gap in Shepparton at the moment for youth theatre outside school,” she said.
“When Initial Stages finished, it was so humbling and special for me, I never fully realised what it means to kids — belonging, friendships, confidence ... hopefully someone will pick it up.”
A tough act to follow, and so for now the sporadic workshops and performances continue to get students from Shepparton, Yarrawonga, Ballarat and Echuca to twinkle a toe or two during the school holidays.
Ms Janke said the cast’s performance, mixed with the catchy tunes, would be nothing short of Magic and have audiences Suspended in Time.
“I promise audience members, if they give up an hour of their time on the weekend, they’ll be Dancin’ on the way out,” Ms Janke said.
Tickets for Xanadu can be purchased for Saturday’s 2pm and 7.30pm shows via Riverlinks Box Office.