Students prepare for an Odyssey

Bayside P-12 College students Bia (front), Maia, Amelia, Tom, Hayley, Katrin and Jeremy. ( Damjan Janevski) 422449_01

Community members can watch Bayside P-12 College students’ latest show, The Odyssey, at Altona City Theatre this August.

The performance will tell the story of King Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan War.

Set against the backdrop of the ancient Mediterranean, the story follows Odysseus as he battles monsters and the god Poseidon to return to his homeland, Ithaca, and reunite with his wife and son.

Volunteer performing arts technical advisor Nicholas McQuade said the students collaborated on the story and contributed their own ideas to the stage production.

The script is not solely written by the staff, as the students have actively participated in shaping what they want to see on stage, he added.

“They’ve crafted the story along the journey, which, you know, not many other schools get that opportunity,” McQuade said.

“I think it encouraged them to be creative.”

About 70 students from years 7 to 12 will perform in the show.

“They’ve been spending hours after school tirelessly rehearsing, practising and making sure that they get the details right,” McQuade said.

The Altona City Theatre will host three performances at 7pm on Wednesday, August 21, Thursday, August 22, and Friday, August 23.

Details: bayside.vic.edu.au/the-odyssey

Anne Parisianne