Prep 6 Hollie Jennings has been cast in the lead part in a production of the musical Matilda produced by the Chris Treglown Foundation Fund and MJUK Music and Arts.
The auditions were held over the Easter holidays in St Minver with over 40 children and young adults vying for parts. There were 8 girls alone trying out for the role of Matilda.
The process consisted of a full day’s workshop covering all aspects of musical theatre aimed to stretch and inspire the actors both young and old.
Hollie said: “We started with games so that we could all get to know each other and warm up our voices, and then we learned the dance to the song “revolting children”. We did some improvisational scenes before the auditions which were held in front of everyone. I was quite nervous but before long I was honestly having great fun! I left having really enjoyed myself even if I hadn’t got the part.”
The email came a week later confirming that she had been offered the role of Matilda.
Hollie now has to wait until the summer for the next set of workshops where she will work with director Maria Jagusz from MJUK.
Three performances of the music from the show will be put on from August 20-22 in various venues across Cornwall with the full production being performed on August 23.
Hollie said: “I can’t wait until August. I’m busy learning all the songs but that’s not hard because the musical is such good fun!”
Head of Drama, Mr Ian Tutin said: “Hollie is a fantastic example of a Drama scholarship student. She demonstrates discipline, motivation and talent. Above all, she always works hard and has taken the opportunity to be involved in LAMDA examinations and each school show with vim and vigour. We are all very excited to see what the future holds for this bright young star of the stage.”
The Chris Treglown Foundation Fund awards an annual monetary sum to an aspiring singer from Cornwall and from MJUK. The fund is also continually looking to develop and provide activities for young people to enhance their singing and performance abilities.
A keen actress, Hollie took the lead role in this year’s Prep School play ‘Cinderella and Rockerfella’ and had a key part in the whole school production of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award-winning musical ‘Into the Woods’.
