Moana Junior - Moreton Hall

Moreton Hall Prep Culture & Events Moreton Senior

Moana Junior

If there is a collective noun for Middle School Moreton Hall pupils on stage, then I suggest it should be ‘joy’, as in ‘a joy of performers took to the stage this week’. And what could be more fitting to describe the fabulously fizzing outpouring of enthusiasm that was ‘Moana’?

From the very beginning, the audience felt transported to a faraway land of sea and sunshine through the beautifully simple set showing a rolling ocean complete with its smoky spray. But all was not well: the coconuts were black and the fishing nets empty! The ancestors and the chief (convincingly played by Teifi, Katie, Arabella, Polly and Penelope in Upper Four) sung of their plight together with a wonderfully portrayed mother (Mia, Upper Four). There were mixed ideas put forward to solve the problem of the coconuts, but Moana (magically performed by a heartfelt Lucy, Upper Four) had her own theories and was encouraged by a slightly eccentric grandmother (fabulously brought to life by Renee, Upper Four).

The festival of dance and energy rolled out in a bubbling wave that mimicked the sea. And, oh! What a sea! The girls in Remove did not so much represent the glittering waters: they became them.

Upon her arrival once more on dry land, Moana met with the rumbustious Maui, played in a fantastically arrogant manner by Joda (Upper Four). They work together to find his magical hook and along the way, are forced to overcome the extraordinarily shiny (and awesomely cast) Tomatoa, the crab. In this role, Willow (Upper Four) was a sassy diva of a crab; a crab who launched into a tour de force solo that was truly breathtaking.

Happily, although slightly bewilderingly, everything seemed to work out in the end and the evil gods were turned into good ones and the coconuts equally restored to health. There was only one thing for it: the cast came together in magnificent harmony for the rousing finale. This was both an exuberant celebration of music and dance but also, on a more serious note, a respectful communion with the Polynesian culture. Girls from across the middle school, from Year 6 to Upper Four, dressed in vibrant costumes, came together to celebrate the ecstatic delight of life.

What a joy!

– Kate Hodge

“Moreton parents and the local community were in for a treat to watch three dazzling performances of Moana. The hard work and endless hours of rehearsals paid off and the Lower School did their Moreton family proud.

The Art department excelled in producing a wonderful set for the stage and the Drama department sprinkled the perfect dose of drama potion over the girls so they shone brightly on the night.

Moana wasn’t just about the end performance, it was the belief the girls could be the best version of themselves, the friendships made and strengthened and the respect between the different year groups and the staff. A wonderful performance and many memories made on their school journey as they climb the dizzy heights of Moreton Hall.

Well done girls!”

– Parent

“ The performance was West End standard and absolutely flawless. The very best yet. The renowned drama and music department continue to get the very best out of the girls.”

-Parent