If big hair and burgundy leg warmers touch a chord, then get set for a fabulous trip down memory lane to the 80s with the biennial Iona College and Lindisfarne College joint production of Fame The Musical this April.

Inspired by the 1984 movie of the same name, Fame The Musical charts the aspirations and the tribulations of a diverse group of students at The High School of Performing Arts in New York. Since 1988, the show has been performed to great acclaim all over the world.

The diversity of the characters is echoed by the cast; gone are the days when the performing arts was something of a backwater for those students who were less involved in mainstream pursuits.

The combined Iona and Lindisfarne cast of Fame is an eclectic mix of singers, dancers, actors, prefects, sportspeople and the academically inclined; a truly representative cross-section of school society. According to Carol-Ann Stubbs, Iona’s Director of Performing Arts, many more talented students are drawn to performing nowadays, where they learn many of the ‘soft skills’ that are so important in today’s society; self-management, communication and resilience.

With eleven main roles and an ensemble of 70, Fame is a big production in every sense of the word. “It’s a challenge”, says Director Kathy Atkin, “But they are an amazingly hard-working group of young people, and they know how to have fun! They have quickly developed a wonderful sense of teamwork. And, we are so lucky to have Iona’s extraordinary depth of talented dancers, and Lindisfarne’s male leads are exceptional”.

For most of the performers, the 80s are the domain of their parents. “My family were so excited when I told them we were doing Fame”, says operatically trained Sophie Gilbertson, who plays dance major Carmen. “They can’t wait to see how we interpret their generation”.

But it’s not just reprising the exuberance of the 80s which is testing the students. “Being a teenager playing a teenager is a unique challenge, says Lindisfarne Deputy Head Boy Finley Duncan, who plays drama student Nick.  “So many of the social issues are current and relevant. Each time you go on stage, you feel as though you are bringing a part of yourself along”.

Neither Sophie nor Finlay were especially aware of Fame prior to it being chosen for the joint production, but they did of course know the eponymous title song made into a global hit by Irene Cara. Its lyrics “I’m gonna live forever I’m gonna learn how to fly” embody the impossible ambitions of performing arts students the world over.

Because deep down, fame, in some degree, is something we all aspire to, and when we are young, we really believe we can achieve it. And that’s why Fame is so enduring, because it brings to life the hopes and fears of all young people, performed with a glorious backdrop of dancing and singing and wonderful, uninhibited nostalgic fun. And, of course, big hair and burgundy legwarmers.

Fame the Musical takes place nightly between April 7-10 and with a Matinee performance on Saturday, April 10.

Ticket prices:
Adult tickets $35
Students $20
School block bookings $18

Click here to book your tickets now!