After a long hiatus, Mackenzie College students are treading the boards this weekend.
Director Claire Dann said it was the first time the college had held a production at the school in seven years.
Ms Dann said the Covid-19 pandemic got in the way of the last production and after that it was ‘‘about waiting for the right combination of factors’’ for the event to come back again.
She said preparations for the the show started in the first week of school.
‘‘So it’s been a three-month project, the cast rehearsed twice a week after school plus extra days over the holidays.’’
The show had a cast of 21 students from year 7 to 13.
‘‘All who auditioned have a part — or four — and all are speaking roles.’’
About the same number have supported the show with set construction and painting, backstage and then hair, makeup and front of house on the night.
Ms Dann and Rachel Thompson — head of arts at the school — were first-timers in their roles of director and producer.
‘‘We’ve worked together really well and in equal partnership, it’s been a bit of a ‘dream team’.’’
‘‘We’ve been really well supported by lots of other staff members, with the set construction, costumes, makeup, extra rehearsal and lines run-throughs.’’
It had all been made possible with ‘‘the help of a dedicated school community’’, she said.
The play, called Wheelers Luck, was a New Zealand comedy written by Toby Leach, Nigel Collins and Damon Andrews.
The work is set in a small rural seaside community which becomes divided when a prime block of coastal land is bequeathed to the community.
Auckland property developer Richard Lush is invited to town by the mayor to turn it into the next big tourist hot spot, while rural postie Murray Dickle argues that the land and its colourful history should be protected.
To decide the fate of the land and the town, Richard and Murray challenge each other to a race where the winner takes all.
Show nights are tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at the school hall.
Tickets are available from the school office or the Fairlie Resource Centre.
Door sales are available.
