Each year, Pelican Productions runs two January camps: the Music Theatre Camp, a two-week intensive for performers aged 8-19, and a one-week camp for performers aged 8-16. Both camps offer professional tutors, training attendees in singing, dancing, and acting, and conclude with an expertly produced musical theatre performance. This year marked their 20th anniversary, with alumni from 2005 to the present invited to return and join the current generation of participants.
Directors of Pelican Productions, Jen Firth and Kylie Green, state, “When we gather to create and celebrate, we show that the stage isn’t just where the lights shine – it’s where our hearts do, too.” And last night, hearts were certainly shining at the Music Theatre Camp extravaganza performed by the Hollywood cast, one of three separate casts (four if you count the Spotlight cast). Featuring over 100 performers plus a large number of Alumni – they danced, sang and acted their way through 39 songs from 10 different musicals. The fact that the team managed to pull this off in just two weeks is staggering.
The show opened with songs from The Book of Mormon. The harmonies in “Hello” were impressive, setting the tone for what followed. Leo Sage brought awkwardness and sweetness to Elder Cunningham, while Reo Gerhardy, as Elder Price, delivered strong vocals and a convincing portrayal.
Many of the younger performers were part of the Annie section. “Hard Knock Life” was full of enthusiasm and resilience. One of the younger performers didn’t land her flip but carried on unfazed. “Easy Street” with Sophie Fonovic (Miss Hannigan), Alex Collins (Rooster) and Georgia Sykes (Lily St Regis) was a highlight, with great chemistry between the characters. The section concluded with a professional rendition of “Tomorrow” by returning alumni Stephanie Cole.
The Great Gatsby section stood out for the ensemble’s cohesion in “Roaring On” and the effective use of freezes in “For Her”. Matty Turner brought strong vocals to Gatsby, while Kian Lynn as Wolfsheim used his voice skilfully to add character during “New Money”.
Mayah Brook’s lovely voice opened the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory section with her rendition of “The Letter”. The Oompa Loompas filled the stage with vibrant colours, and “The Queen of Pop” was an energetic number, with an engaging performance by Edison Love as Mr Beauregarde.
“The Circle of Life” was a standout, with creative costumes and a visually stunning presentation, particularly the giraffes on stilts, which earned their own applause. “Shadowland” showcased exceptional harmonies from Nala (Kayla Symonds), Rafiki (Eryn Crane), and the Lionesses. The younger performers added charm and energy throughout The Lion King section.
“Luck Be a Lady” featured a strong vocal performance by Liam Goodes as Sky Masterson, supported by a well-rehearsed twelve strong male ensemble of crapshooters. “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” was a highlight of the Guys and Dolls section, with Nicely Nicely (Josh Angeles, one of the alumni) leading a show-stopping number that had the audience demanding encores.
Beetlejuice brought humour and energy to the stage, particularly during “That Beautiful Sound”. While “The Whole Being Dead Thing Part 2” was harder to follow, the cast’s commitment to the quirky material was evident.
In a section that featured songs from & Juliet and Six The Musical, we were treated to vibrant costumes and dynamic choreography. “Ex Wives” was a burst of energy, with the performers embracing the power and attitude of the queens. “Confident” presented the company in a high-energy, empowering number that was a crowd-pleaser. Chloe Dowd (Jane Seymour) delivered a strong vocal performance in “Heart of Stone”, and the duet between Abbi Sharp (Juliet) and Chloe Molineux (Angelique) in “Oops!… I Did it Again” was well-sung and beautifully blended.
The finale featured Callum Warrender leading the Alumni in “From Now On” from The Greatest Showman. This emotional and fitting finale saw the 2025 cast join the alumni on stage, creating a powerful moment of unity. The performance was met with a standing ovation, a testament to the heartfelt connection and talent on display.
Huge accolades must be paid to “The Team” for their efforts in bringing this highly entertaining performance to the stage. There were six choreographers, eight vocal tutors, and a multitude of Production Assistants and costumers. Choreography was dynamic and expressive, mostly synchronized, with careful consideration given to the diversity of abilities and ages within the cast. The show maintained a very high vocal standard, with only a couple of moments where pitch issues were noticeable. The vocal harmonies were consistently strong, creating a powerful and cohesive sound that resonated with the audience.
The costumes were thoughtfully designed to suit each scene, with only occasional minor issues, such as a dress that appeared to be challenging to dance in. Overall, they allowed the performers to move freely and fully inhabit their characters, enhancing the visual appeal of the production.
The projections were well chosen and set each scene effectively. Lighting design and operation were executed well, and sound went without a glitch until the final song. However, given that it was a couple of the alumni microphones that malfunctioned, the performers were able to make themselves heard.
This was an incredible achievement, rehearsing and producing such a complex show in just two weeks. The level of talent on display, skilfully shaped by the professional guidance of “The Team”, was outstanding and a true pleasure to witness. Jen Firth and Kylie Green should be immensely proud of what they have accomplished, both in this production and throughout their work with these talented young performers.
