A Once in a Lifetime Performance

This week, our junior performers transported us to the dazzling chaos of 1920s Hollywood with their vibrant production of Once in a Lifetime. The GWA was brilliantly transformed – with a moving train one minute to glamourous of hotel lobbies the next! Our theatre team eloquently captured the spirit and spectacle of a rapidly changing film industry in the 1920s.

From the moment the curtain rises, the play throws you into the absurdity of early Hollywood, where the arrival of sound in film has everyone scrambling to reinvent themselves. The story follows George Lewis (Oscar G), May Daniels (Alex L) and Jerry Hyland (Tara M), joining forces to crack the new age of film. Sensing an opportunity, they bluff their way into success by opening a school to train actors in voice and diction for sound films with the help of an old friend, gossip columnist, Helen Hobart (Amy S). Their scheme unexpectedly takes off, attracting attention from major studios and eccentric Hollywood figures. This included Herman Glogauer (Kerim I), a frazzled and overwhelmed studio executive. The production also featured Lawrence Vail (Ade O) and Susan Walker (Dora G), whose roles added further depth to the satire of Hollywood ambition and illusion as a playwright with nothing to do and an aspiring actress.

Our Director of Drama, Mr Hammond shared: “ Performing in the GW Annenberg can be daunting for young performers, but they all approached the performances with undeniable energy and belief, and I am hugely proud of them.”

George, initially dismissed as foolish, accidentally gains power in the industry due to a misunderstanding, whilst Jerry becomes deeply involved in studio politics. Through the chaos, May feels as if she’s not being taken seriously and tries to flee back to New York, but later realises her mistake and swiftly returns to Hollywood. Alex L explained about her experience ‘Once in a Lifetime has been such an amazing experience – I loved getting to play May and working in rehearsals with the entire cast to bring the show to life.’

Tara M told us ‘Playing Jerry in Once in a Lifetime has been such a fun and rewarding experience – I’ve loved every moment of bringing the character to life.’

At Wellington, we strive for all students to have opportunities to explore a wide range of theatrical worlds from the moment they arrive. Productions like this not only showcase talent but also help our junior students develop confidence, stage presence, and collaboration skills. Bravo to all performers who took part in this fantastic adaptation of Once in a Lifetime.