Oklahoma! – a stunning collaboration Newington students collaborated with students from MLC School, Burwood Girls High School and Kambala to deliver a stunning performance of Oklahoma!, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical based on Lynn Riggs’s play Green Grow the Lilacs, from 30 March to 2 April. Oklahoma! was performed at the Duckmanton Theatre and directed by Head of Drama Mr Paul Eastway, who said, ‘Oklahoma! turned out to be somewhat of a revelation. The issues it explores belie its reputation as a piece of outdated escapism. Yes, there are aspects of life in 1900 South-Central America that we wince at in 2022, but like all good theatre, Oklahoma! doesn’t preach to us: it presents us with flawed characters who are struggling against the expectations of the society in which they live.’ The cast brought these flawed characters to life. We look forward to the middle school production, The Hypochondriac, in May. 1 Bodie Young as Ali Hakim 2 Members of the Oklahoma! cast 3 Zac McCutcheon as Jud Fry 4 Leo Joyce Thomson as Andrew Carnes 5 Jake Tollemache as Slim, Matthew Tan as Gene, Minh Nguyen as Cowboy 3 and Kyan McLean as Will Parker 6 Aiden Carter as Curly 7 Brentson Lew as Cowboy 1 and Kyan McLean as Will Parker 8 Kyan McLean as Will Parker with cast members from Oklahoma! Curiosity |News Autumn 2022 | Stanmore 7–12 | 11