By Laura Michell
Marymede Catholic College pupils will be transported to the African savannah when they take to the stage in The Lion King Junior next month.
The show features about 100 pupils from years 5-9, giving them the opportunity to take on lead roles which may have previously gone to senior students.
Director Angie Bedford has been studying Auslan and will be incorporating sign language into parts of the show.
“We have a campus of St Mary’s College for the Deaf at Marymeade Catholic College, and many students who are hearing impaired,” she said.
“Over the last couple of years, I have been following the work of Deaf West on Broadway and love the idea of using Auslan, as it is a visual language.
“The students are doing an amazing job simultaneously singing in different African languages and signing Auslan.”
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Ms Bedford said she had long wanted to put on a performance of The Lion King.
“It has been on my list for a long time. Until last December, there were limitations on the rights for schools, so the day it became available, we snapped it up.”
The Lion King Junior is at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre from July 18-20.
Tickets: 9217 2317
