By Brodie Everist

Marian College’s recent production, ‘G.R.O.W. Up’, was a great success, with positive feedback from audiences, according to school drama teacher, Vicky McGowan. 

Devised by Ms McGowan, the play centred around the school’s positive framework of generosity, respect, ownership and wholeheartedness – making the acronym ‘GROW’.

It depicted a badly-behaved brother and sister whose dreams take them into the worlds of many beloved children’s stories, including Willy Wonka, The Jungle Book, and The Cat in the Hat.

Ms McGowan made special mention of Davide Genero’s performance as the Cowardly Lion (from the Wizard of Oz), and the shadow play sequence during the ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ section.

According to Ms McGowan, some students had to take on unexpected roles in the play after two students became ill, which she said was “a wonderful testament to their resilience”.

Ms McGowan thanked school staff Anna Fin Genero and Michael Guinane for their assistance in organising the production.
The production featured students from years 7 to 12, as well as special appearances from grade three St Mary’s Primary School students as little monkeys and munchkins.

“The play’s interactive elements were particularly popular,” said Ms McGowan

“There were grandparents and proud parents who were able to sing along and remember the stories that they had told to their own children and their grandchildren,” she said.

“A couple of people came up after the show and said they had really enjoyed this year’s production, perhaps more than others, because it touched the heart of the growing up, learning, that we’ve all done.”

“Where we’ve learned some important lessons that we don’t actually recognise until much later in life.”

The production consisted of four performances, including to school groups from across the region.

“It certainly was a community show,” Ms McGowan said.

“We had both St Mary’s and Myrtleford P12 primary schools in full attendance.”

“We had students from Beechworth attending as well.”

Written by Brodie Everist.
Published originally in the Myrtleford Times.

Photographs courtesy of Michael Guinane, Marian College Myrtleford