A leading Auckland private school spent $85,000 on a production.

Kristin School put on the hit musical CATS in June, the first New Zealand school to secure the rights to the world renowned show which executive principal and show producer Peter Clague said was an excellent opportunity.

Clague said the big budget show would rival what many small amateur companies would spend on a production, but the school was able to recoup the costs selling 3000 tickets.

The largest proportion of the cost went towards royalties with the school paying around a 16 per cent fee - higher than some professional outfits - he said.  

Sound and lighting also comes with a hefty price tag, though this year the Kristin School orchestra provided live music.

Clague said the productions get more and more professional each year and organisers start thinking about what's next as soon as the curtain comes down.

''Performing arts is such a big deal for us,'' Clague said.

''We have a lot of students who have gone on to acting and theatre careers but we have just as many who have gone into the technical aspects.''

The school's dedication paid off last year when it won two of the most coveted honours at the AMI Showdown Awards.

Its version of Jesus Christ Superstar was named Best Overall Auckland Production for 2011, and Joel Granger, who played Jesus of Nazareth, won Best Leading Male in a Musical.

But Clague said it's not all about the bright lights and accolades.

''There is a magic to a school show, whether you're out there with the latest wireless microphones or a broomstick. Any school that puts on a show is doing a wonderful thing for their students."

* Comments on this story are now closed

- © Fairfax NZ News

Comments