Image Upload


File size must be less than 2Mb

You must have online publishing permission or full ownership of this image

File types (jpg, png, gif)






  • Hero image
    RISING STARS: Children’s cast members, back row from left, Sophie Fletcher, Khaia McPhee, Stella Moore, Adele Meyer and Emily Lesser; middle, Dakota Oakley, Ellarah Abernethy, Melissa Sierra and Ashling Barber; and front, Ella Bailey, Valeria Sierra, Lola Bales, Harlow Janetzki and Amelia Albrecht are looking forward to being part of Horsham Arts Council’s Last 10 Years.Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

A show of shows for Horsham Arts Council

By Bronwyn Hastings

A cast of 60 will present highlights of Horsham Arts Council’s shows in its production The Last 10 Years, featuring scenes from the past decade’s 16 shows that were staged, and some that were forced from the stage by Covid-19 restrictions.

A celebration of the council’s 60 years, The Last 10 Years will include 2016’s The Wedding Singer, 2017’s Annie and Rent, 2021’s unstaged High School Musical, through to last year’s Shrek: The Musical and Pirates of Penzance.

Executive producer Chris Versteegen said the production was a fun celebration, where people could revisit shows they enjoyed, as well as it being a chance for newcomers to see what HAC offers.



Article continues below


“We have a few people coming back to reprise roles, which is really exciting,” he said.

“I’ve got a few of my roles that I’m going back over – I’ll be playing Donkey from Shrek, Lonnie from Rock of Ages, and Mark from Rent.”

Mr Versteegen said the nature of some of the shows had prevented the original actors from reprising their roles.

“We’ve new people playing the two romantic leads of The Wedding Singer, the two original ones are a bit older now,” he said.

“And High School Musical – there was just no hope because the people who were originally cast are not teenagers anymore.”

The cast features local talent, people who have performed in churches, Carols by Candlelight, and the like, who are making their HAC debuts. 

Ella Bailey, 12, is debuting in Annie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and Disney: When You Wish Upon A Star, as Simba, but is no stranger to the stage.

“I have performed in school productions and calisthenics competitions, and I’d like to get into more productions. I’m really excited,” she said.

Harlow Janetzki has a range of experience, from HAC’s Shrek and Pirates of Penzance, to dancing, and singing at Carols by Candlelight.

“I play young Sophie in Mama Mia, and am in ensembles in Annie, Joseph and Disney. I’m looking forward to performing in front of a big audience,” she said.

Mr Versteegen said the production had required a collaborative approach.

“We’ve reached out to some of our previous directors who are on board, with Debbie Boutcher  the overall executive director,” he said.

“We’ve chosen a scene from every show, with either two or three musical numbers that flow from one show to the next. We had to try and find some moments to breathe, so there are some quieter ballads and duets. 

“It’s not all big, high-energy, full-stage ensemble numbers, but it’s definitely like writing your own show because you have to pick moments for big ensemble numbers and quieter moments. 

“It took a lot of collaboration with the previous directors to narrow down multiple great numbers to two or three.”

Presale tickets are available at Horsham Town Hall website www.horshamtownhall.com.au and box office for 7.30pm shows on May 9, 10, 14, 15 and 16; 1.30pm shows on May 10 and 11; and a 4pm show on May 17. 

The entire January 29, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire January 29, 2025 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!