Scots School Albury runs Matilda after navigating pandemic rules

Two casts were created with 120 students - including double lead roles - to ensure the show would go on despite any illnesses.

But there were additional rules Head of Performing Arts Elizabeth Heitmeyer had to accommodate in planning, including only five people being able to sing.

"We made quite a few adaptations," she said.

"It was a rule specific to school musicals - if you were doing a musical professionally, you could actually apply for an exemption.

"But schools can't apply for those exemptions.

"So we've been wiping down props and adhering to lots of rules, but we got there."

The junior school production of Matilda was pushed back and year 12 student Eve Zawertailo recalled the uncertainty around productions that took place at the beginning of the pandemic.

"We had a musical a week before we all got locked down," she said.

"So it's nice to have an audience reaction.

"The story is funny, but there's also a deeper meaning behind it all and the ending is really heartwarming."

Ahead of performances at the weekend, the Scots School opened its theatre to 23 schools and community groups for a free show.

Year 7 student Mya Player was excited to perform in her first lead role as Matilda and year 12 student Dylan Forge, playing Miss Trunchbull, said Scots had a fresh take on the story.

"It's entirely ours," he said.

Ms Heitmeyer said there were more students included from more year levels than ever before.

"it's all of year five, all of year six, nearly all of year 12 and more," she said.

"it's the biggest cast I've had and the biggest range of ages.

"It's quite modern, being written by Tim Minchin, so the comedy and music is quite contemporary and complex.

"It's a lot of fun and the Roald Dahl story which it's based on permeates through our musical; there's dark and funny moments.

"It's quite an adventure."

There are still some tickets left for performances at 7pm on Friday, 11am on Saturday and 7pm on Saturday.

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The cast and Ms Heitmeyer are ecstatic to be performing to a full house.

"We started our rehearsal process late - we were delaying the decision about whether to start it," she said.

"There were probably two times where we nearly went 'We can't do it', because the COVID rules were just too hard.

"We kept going in the hope that maybe we would be able to have an audience.

"We were looking at a third of capacity ... then it turned to full, so that was really great.

"It's a great thing to bring a family too."