Trackers

Highly stylised costumes, by Sally Phipps, give a futuristic feel, with effective multi-level moveable set pieces designed by Erin Hutchinson and Sharon Kiely and some impressive lighting from David Spooner used to great effect.  Erin Hutchinson and Sharon Kiely also designed a very complex and powerful soundscape. While Yr 7 and 8 students starred on stage, St Hilda’s students from Years 7 to 11 stage managed, crewed the show, operated sound and lighting and assisted with costumes - with obvious skill.

The ensemble was awesome, with precision and focus that would be impressive in senior students. Highly polished movement sequences help establish this world, as students play multiple roles including the workings of the internet. 

In the central role, Lily Montgomery gives us a likeable and quirky Sam Turing (I love the homage of this character’s surname). Eloise Pemberton charted a lovely journey as the clever Toby. Victoria Halabi has a great presence, and while physically unlike her character Max, captures him with depth and much feeling, while Grace Powell brings great energy to the role of Mixie. Margot Eggleston brings masterful authority to the role of the Watcher in a beautifully physicalised performance.

In smaller roles, Alya Ahman Khalif sets the tone for the show in the opening moments as Sigrid - a descendent of Siri or Alexa. Amelia Bruce, Stella Hauff and Maddie Parkin demonstrate great team-work as ‘bad guys’ Technicians and Regulators. The remaining cast - Piper Brooks, Isabelle Collis, Stella Ebert, Josie Eggleston, Amelia Hagon, Amisha Vijayasekaren and Emily Walpot - playing numerous characters, are strong throughout. Apparently many in this cast were making stage debuts - but all delivered confident, polished performances.