The triple threat theatre students will sing, dance and affect an accent in Heidi of the Mountains on stage at the Charlie White Theatre later this month.
“They’ve had real challenging roles, they’ve worked very very hard and done marvelous,” Margaret Watt, of Mountain Dream Productions, which runs the triple threat classes at the Mary Winspear Centre.
Grade 7 student Lauren Alverico will play the lead role
“It’s challenging but fun. It was hard to build the character,” she said. “[Heidi’s] not mean, she’s always really nice.”
Opposite Alverico is fellow Bayside middle schooler Jenny Sutton who read the book and studied the movie the tackle the challenging role of Clara.
“It’s difficult being in a wheelchair,” Sutton said. She looks forward to sharing her toughest scene with audiences – learning to walk.
Sutton said she’s not alone in her research and work on her role.
“It’s fun to get people to understand the story when you’re acting on stage,” Sutton said. “Everyone’s worked on their characters and they’re coming along.”
“The characters are believable,” agreed Watt, noting that even the youngest of the actors will speak with a German accent in Heidi.
A classic story of the life of a young girl in her grandfather’s care, in the Swiss Alps, Heidi has significant emotional elements, and Watt promises that the youngsters pull it off.
“The girls have us laughing and crying,” Watt said.
“It’s really emotional, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry,” Alverico agreed.
Heidi of the Mountains plays Jan. 27 and 28 at the Mary Winspear Centre. Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for students, are available online at www.marywinspear.ca or through the box office, 250-656-0275.