Queanbeyan Public School students wrote and directed their latest musical production titled "Tumble Splash Island"..
QUEANBEYAN Public School's latest musical production, Tumble Splash Island, wouldn't be possible without the efforts of their talented students.
Pupils worked together to write, direct, choreograph, act and dance in the spectacle which debuts next week.
If that wasn't impressive enough Michael Sollis from Musica Viva was called in work with about 200 students to compose and produce seven original songs for the piece.
Co-director and mentor Cornelia Carson said the school decided to create an original musical after they couldn't get the rights for the one they wanted to perform.
"This is a fun music, there's a lot of adventure and drama," she said.
The story of Tumble Splash Island follows siblings Gracie and Stewie on a summer holidays trip to their grandparent's house. On their visit they meet some nursery rhyme characters, who they have to save from evil pirates.
"We were inspired by a musical called Into the Woods which incorporates various fairy tales," Ms Carson explained. "We thought this was an interesting theme but we've used characters from nursery rhymes instead. We have Humpty Dumpty, Little Miss Muffett and the mouse from Hickory Dickory Dock."
The students had to write two scenes each with just a brief outline to help them develop the story.
"The students came back with their piece and I combined all of the scenes together and occasionally had to tweak a few things so it made sense but the actual words all belong to the students."
Year five student Tia Gray is a writer and director and said she had learnt a lot while working on the project.
"I'm usually a reader rather than a writer. When you're writing it's the doorway for your perspective rather than when you're a reader it's someone else's thoughts," she said.
"I've learnt a lot about working with other people, sometimes not all your ideas will be used. You have to be fair."
Ms Carson said she is very proud of her students.
"I'm very impressed, a lot of the students have worked on musicals with me in the previous two years and they seemed to have picked up a lot of insight into character reaction and staging. It's inspiring to hear them talk to other students about stage directions and the lighting because it shows they've pick these things up," she said.
"I think this musical has great potential. Creating our own production is rewarding and inspiring but also a lot of hard work."
Tumble Splash Island night performances will be held at Queanbeyan Public School on Wednesday, October 24 and Thursday, October 25 at 7pm. Tickets cost adults $10 and concession $5.