For four nights only, Waihi School will be bringing Shrek to life.
Director Alistair Bradley said the production Shrek Junior the Musical was a year 8 play.
For a lot of the pupils, acting in musicals was out of their comfort zone, but the school taught them to give everything a go.
The play was a tradition at Waihi, and worked as a finale before pupils finished their time at the school, Mr Bradley said.
Before the school opened its doors to female pupils, female parts were cast with boys.
They had performed Grease with boys singing songs written for female characters, which they were all very good at.
When it came to casting the play they had full control over who played what.
‘‘If we say you’re going to be a certain character, then you are going to be it.’’
Cast member Sam Moore said he had watched the movie ‘‘heaps’’ when he was younger.
‘‘I was stoked when I got Farquuad.’’
He liked getting to play the part of the antagonist.
While he was ‘‘not really’’ into drama, he was enjoying the role.
Mr Bradley said the production was ‘‘very humourous’’.
‘‘There’s a lot of burping and farting.’’ He thought it was great that the school ‘‘really supports’’ the arts.
About 85% of pupils learn a musical instrument while at Waihi.
The show will run from November 27 to 30. Tickets can be purchased at iticket.
