By Bronwyn Hastings

Horsham Arts Council will showcase its past decade’s productions in The Last 10 Years, staging shows from Annie to American Idiot, starting Friday.

HAC committee member, co-choreographer and co-director Loucas Vettos said a new cast and two unseen shows would provide fresh entertainment for the whole family.

“We are delving into the last 10 years of Horsham Arts Council, and the beauty of doing this is we get to include two shows that did not make it to the stage due to COVID-19,” he said. 

“It’s really exciting that we’re getting High School Musical and one of our Broadway showcases in front of an audience. We have done a Broadway showcase before, but the first one we had planned was cancelled because of COVID-19. 

“Even if someone has watched every show Horsham Arts Council has done over the 10 years, they’re going to see something new – it’s going to be fresh regardless, which is really exciting.”

Vettos said the show was started with a clean slate, with people auditioning for each role.

“There are some people who have got the same role, especially in the last four or five shows we have done, which is great because they were fantastic in them,” he said. 

“But on the other hand, there are some people who have come in and have been cast in roles and bring a new flair, or a new version of the character, which is really exciting to see.”

Vettos said considerations for the 61 people on stage each night included costume changes, microphone pack swaps, and scene swaps.

“It’s unavoidable that we have some people literally on stage, go off stage, take off one costume and the other costume is underneath, and walk on to the next number,” he said.

“Executive producer Chris Versteegen and executive director Deb Boucher have put in a mountain of work, along with all the other directors of the show, just making sure that the order in which we’re going on in is doable.”

The show will feature highlights of each production, from solo ballads to high-energy ensemble dance numbers, with changes to ensure it is family-friendly.

“People will have a really rich experience coming to the show, there is a great range of vocal abilities, dance abilities and acting,” Vettos said.

“All the people on stage are volunteering their time and are really passionate about musical theatre and the arts. This is a really great opportunity for people to come along, support local, and celebrate Horsham Arts Council’s 60th anniversary and its fantastic resume from the last 10 years.”

Eight shows will be staged between Friday and May 17. People can find more information and buy tickets from Horsham Town Hall website www.horshamtownhall.com.au or the box office.

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