Collingwood high school students will be playing a different side of some classic Disney characters as they bring medieval power struggles to the stage for Game of Tiaras.
A group of about 22 students attending Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School (OLB) are spending their afternoons after class preparing for this year's school play, which they will perform for elementary students on opening night, then for the public on May 31 and June 1.
The 2017 play, which features "dark humour" according to the Grade 9-12 cast and crew, is a play on King Lear and the HBO series Game of Thrones, but with characters from Disney princess films such as Snow White, Cinderella, Ellie (Elsa), and Belle. Prince Charming and "The King" are also part of the line of characters vying for the throne.
The annual school play at Our Lady of the Bay is an extra-curricular activity for the students, led by drama teacher Deanne Hachey, and meant to give students the experiences that go along with adapting, rehearsing, setting, and performing a play for a live audience.
This will be Isabella Smith's first time participating in the school play. She joined as a member of the stage crew after encouragement (and a strong request) from her sister, who is part of the cast.
"It's a lot more fun than I expected," said Smith. "It's a lot of teamwork."
Cast and crew worked together to paint sets and make props for one of the larger productions by the school in the last few years.
Kayla Lessels, who plays a ruthless Cinderella, agrees this year's production is all about sharing the load.
"The big takeaway this year is teamwork," said Lessels, who was in last year's Agatha Christie adaptation performance by OLB students.
"It's a longer, bigger show, and the expectations are high," she said.
Audrey Francioni, who plays Ellie (Elsa is trademarked), said the size and scope of the play has meant the cast and crew have had to get close for things to work smoothly.
"We had to get comfortable with each other," she said. "There are a lot of scenes and changes and props, a lot more lines and characters."
Owen David Dunning Ladbrook, a name fit for his character "The King," said he's very excited for the audience to see the dramatic ending.
The OLB students will perform Game of Tiaras for the public on May 31 and June 1. Admission sales will support the future of the extra-curricular drama club. Tickets are available at the door and the performances start at 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium.
