Two Swan Hill boys are making their way to the bright lights of Melbourne’s State Theatre after being selected for roles in the new production of Lord of the Flies.
Eleven-year-old Joseph Wise-Nash and 10-year-old Will Gilchrist were two of 23 boys selected from a statewide field of more than 100.
Based upon the classic novel by William Golding, the story has been adapted by Sir Matthew Bourne and is being presented by Arts Centre Melbourne (ACM).
It will run from April 5-9 and ACM are touting it as their theatrical event of the year.
But before that, Will and Joseph will leave Swan Hill today to spend the next two weeks in rehearsals in Melbourne.
Both boys were delighted and surprised to be selected.
“It was fantastic, I screamed,” Joseph said about receiving the news of his success.
Will said he was proud and overjoyed to be one of the 23 final boys selected.
“There were more than 500 boys at the first workshops and then 107 tried out for parts.
“I didn’t expect to get in.
“I guess I’m lucky I was just what they happened to be looking for.”
Will is playing a character named Percy in the dance only production, while Joseph will take the role of Freddy.
“They have asked us to develop our own character’s personality,” Will said.
“So we have a lot of input which is great.”
To read more about this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (March 24).
