Quoting from the email newsletter sent to the Tawa community mid-July 2009: "Tawa College is renowned for its accomplishments in the musical arena. So you won't want to miss its newest production which starts on Friday, 'Standing Ovation'. It's a collection of musical numbers from a range of shows and, if previous Tawa College musicals are any guide, it'll be a first-class performance ..."

It was. The show ran for six nights, featured more than 40 College kids and around 24 musical items. Most of them were brilliant, as was the choreography and the variety of songs and props. My taste in music is simple - it needs to be 'down-to-earth' and enjoyable. This was precisely that. I particularly enjoyed 'Get Me to the Church on Time' (from My Fair Lady), 'Greased Lightning' and 'Lay All your Love on Me' (from Mamma Mia) - both the music and the way they were actually performed. And, of course, 'Do Re Mi' which the kids had performed at Wellington Railway Station and which subsequently featured on TV1 News. See the YouTube version here.

The above pic features many of the performers in "I Want it All" from High School Musical 3: Senior Year.

Here's more high praise in an email I received during the week: "... a truly amazing evening. We attended last evening and were absolutely amazed at what can only be described as a thoroughly professional production complete with all the bells and whistles. Tawa College and all who were involved in the preparations and many hours of rehearsals are a credit to our community and I only hope the press pick up on this and give some richly deserved credit."

- Malcolm Sparrow