It’s not everyday students have the chance to entertain a member of the Royal Family, but last Thursday, several of our boys did just that.
Prince Edward, the Duke of Essex, was among the international delegates in Toronto Oct. 28 – Nov. 1 for the 2015 Duke of Edinburgh's Award International Forum. As part of proceedings, a youth concert was held Thursday at the Fairmont Royal York’s concert hall. Students from St. Andrew’s College, St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn, Appleby College, and a number of public school ensembles were invited to participate.
SAC pipers Gregor MacKellar ’17 and Luca Zadra ’17 performed two pieces for the audience, which also included the Lt. Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
A highlight was a special performance by 19 cast members of the fall play, Oliver! The young actors sang and danced to four numbers: Consider Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two, I’d Do Anything, and Be Back Soon. Director and Head of Drama, William Scoular, pieced together a medley from the show. With less than a week’s notice, it meant for some intense rehearsals.
“It was a lot of extra work,” admits Kyle Murphy, the grade 6 student who plays the lead role of Oliver, "but totally worth it.
Major Brian McCue was on hand and agrees it was a spectacular effort by all our students. He said that “the crowd went wild with enthusiasm.”
Afterwards, HRH Prince Edward, who is known for his appreciation of the dramatic arts, shook the hand of each actor, both pipers, and our stage hands. Kyle said the prince told him he did a great job and thought it was an amazing performance, and Lt. Governor Dowdeswell went looking for him, saying “Where is Oliver? I want my picture taken with him.”
Congratulations to the cast of Oliver! and our pipers for a first-class effort. It was another proud day for St. Andrew's College.
Story by Cindy Veitch
