Based on the novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, the show is being performed for the first time in Dunedin and will run from next Wednesday to Friday at Mosgiel Coronation Hall.
Freaky Friday follows the story of an overworked mother and her teenage daughter, played by St Hilda’s students Amelia Baxter and Sylvie Harper, who magically swap bodies and have 24 hours to put things right. By spending a day in each other’s shoes, the pair come to appreciate one another and strengthen their bond.
Director Beth Waite said the production featured a 26-strong all-female cast, including male-presenting roles, along with a 16-strong band comprising mostly St Hilda’s students, a 20-strong sets and props team, and a 10-member stage management, sound and lighting, costume, makeup and hair crew.
"All up, we have about 70 students from across the school involved in bringing Freaky Friday to the stage, it has been a whole-school effort," Waite said.
"We have been having a lot of fun with the weird events at the centre of the story — there are definitely a lot of high-jinks, as well as plenty of singing and dancing."
The cast had worked closely with musical director Kane Welsh and choreographer Ariana Gepte to pull the "tricky" score and energetic dance sequences together and were doing a great job, she said.
Alongside Baxter and Harper, principal Freaky Friday cast members include Chloe Forde, Evie Bennison, Yana Dewey, Olivia Harwood, Alex Barkman, Meisha Smith and Sophie Wagner.
"Putting the show together has been a major effort for everyone, so it will be exciting to finally bring it to the stage next week," Waite said.
St Hilda’s production of Freaky Friday will be staged at Mosgiel Coronation Hall from Wednesday to Friday, at 7pm. Tickets via humanitix
