In 2023, Westlake Schools are combining once again to bring audiences not one but two productions: Stephen Sondheim’s magical comic masterpiece, Into the Woods, and Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy, As You Like It.

This will be across a two-week season, first at Westlake Boys (Into the Woods, from July 18-22) and then at Westlake Girls (As You Like It, from July 25-29).

Rehearsals are well underway, led by the same award-winning team that directed Les Mis (2019) and Socially Distanced Shakespeare (2021) – both awarded multiple Auckland Live Showdown Awards.

This week, cast members had the great privilege of working with visiting international choreographer Darren Royston. His credentials include teaching Daniel Radcliffe (of Harry Potter fame) how to dance, choreographing major musical theatre productions in London, as well as films such as Queen of the Desert starring Nicole Kidman.

One parent who observed an Into the Woods rehearsal this week commented:

“Wow, how talented is Darren Royston. It was fascinating to see the way he got nearly forty teenagers simultaneously coordinating their dance steps, weaving their individual movements into an interdependent collective. It was a glimpse into one of the many, many layers that gradually build over a long period of rehearsing, where singing, acting, dancing, costuming, lighting and set design are all polished to ultimately create a slick and seamless show. Can’t wait until opening night!”

Tickets for ‘The Westlake Production Season’ go on sale at iTicket.co.nz on Saturday 27 May.