General News
9 May, 2025
Performers ready to hit town hall stage
Tonight's the night when Horsham Arts Council will open its latest production, 'The Last 10 Years', a special 60th-anniversary edition.
Showcasing snippets of productions presented over the past 10 years, executive director Debbie Boutcher said there would be 16 productions shown, including two that didn't make it to the stage due to the Covid pandemic.
"'Broadway Showcase', the first time around, didn't make it to stage," Ms Boutcher said.
"'High School Musical' directed by Loucas [Vettos] and assisted by my daughter Erin was all cast, rehearsals had started but it didn't make it to the stage.
"We'd even bought cheerleading costumes to get a jump on things."
Now these productions will finally get an airing, with HAC entering the final day of rehearsal before opening night alongside other shows including 'Legally Blonde', 'Rent', 'Annie' and more.
"We've had a huge mic check as there are 61 people on stage," Ms Boutcher said.
"We have 20 kids altogether, with 10 performing each night."
She said the children had had a "big load", many not having been part of an HAC show before and being cast in multiple show snippets.
"Some have performed before but they haven't had to sing," Ms Boutcher said.
"They get a taste of a little bit of everything."
Ms Boutcher is also looking after costumes with help from Jess Wilson.
"I've had a lot of help," she said.
"We have 300-plus costumes on stage."
Fitting with the production theme of bringing back shows from the past 10 years, HAC has tried to recruit original directors to produce their shows once again.
"It wasn't possible to get all of the directors back but the assistant directors have stepped up," Ms Boutcher said.
"For most of them it's their first time directing a show."
When asked what the audience could expect, Ms Boutcher said it would be a "rollercoaster ride".
"There's a lot of different genres, from sombre to heavy rock," she said.
"There are also a few tap numbers – people love those."
Ms Boutcher said she couldn't speak more highly of the team HAC had assembled for this production.
"The choreographers have done a great job – there's more than one for a show this size," she said.
"The cast has put in so much work and has shown they're committed, and our directors are fabulous.
"Our executive producer Chris Versteegen has done an amazing job making sure it all comes together.
'The Last 10 Years' opens tonight and will run until May 17.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.horshamtownhall.com.au/hthevent/horsham-arts-council-the-last-10-years/
