A Mumbai school seems to be hitting just the right notes in the international theatre scene. The Oberoi International school (OIS) at Goregaon (East) has managed to become the first in Asia to get a license to enact the Scottish musical movie 'Sunshine on Leith'. Though the performance was scheduled for December 3, they extended the event by two days (4th and 5th) on popular demand.
'Sunshine on Leith' is a contemporary musical set in Edinburgh, Scotland, about the return of best friends Davy and Ally from the army and how they try to settle into their new lives. The toe tapping, heart-warming and occasionally heart-breaking musical touches on the themes of love, family and home.
Over 100 students from grades 6 to 12 that made up the entire team consisting of cast, crew, choreographers and musicians slogged for the performance. Ankoor Apte, a class 12 student who played role of Rab in the musical, said, "This is my third year in musicals. This year I think the best aspect is the songs because they're upbeat and modern. The music is universally pleasing across age and culture."
The students had been working on the play since August. The final performance had the 400-plus audience in splits with its humour. The students' theatre coach, Anne Murray, said, "Musicals are incredibly hard work to create. They require dedication, determination, teamwork, commitment and stamina from those onstage and as well as the ones behind the scenes. All that is forgotten from the moment the stage lights are lit to the last of the applause fading away. That time is nothing short of magical and the memories are indelible."
The musical does not rely on playback. Every performer sings with live musicians as an accompaniment. The event, supported by a team of highly talented teachers, was essentially led by students taking care of key roles which included the technical aspects of theatre. Elated with the shows running to full houses, Dr Vladimir Kuskovski, head of OIS, said, "I think the well-rounded education that we keep talking about is not complete without students being exposed to the arts. 'Sunshine on Leith' is not an easy musical to put on, but our team of dedicated teachers, musicians and support staff worked tirelessly for months to provide this once in a lifetime experience to the over 100 kids taking part in the show. Tickets were quickly sold out for 2 out of 3 days of performances. I am really happy that our productions enjoy such a great support from our community."
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