- By Bianca Day, AUT Student Journalist
The cast of Howick College’s Blood Brothers is set to take the stage this week for the show’s much-anticipated opening.
Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers follows the tale of twin brothers Mickey (Finn O’ Sullivan) and Edward (Alex Hardaker/Kristian Dryden) who are separated at birth from mother Mrs Johnstone (Lucy Lonie/Aria Takle-Lee).
Supported by a live 10-piece band led by the school’s head of music, Matthew O-Ryan, the show is the first full-school production since Howick College’s Grease in 2021.
It’s split into two talented casts who will perform on alternating nights.
Kristian Dryden, who plays Edward Lyons in the closing-night cast, says the experience has been “one of a kind” for the students involved.
“We’ve all learned to trust one another and believe in each other,” he says.
Aria Takle-Lee plays Mrs Johnstone in the show and says her highlight of the production process was choreographing several of the dance sequences.
“We [the students] had a lot of input in helping create the show, which definitely made it more enjoyable”.
Director and Howick College head of drama, Jillian Dryden, says Blood Brothers was “the fitting choice” for this year’s production, marking 16 years since its 2008 performance of the same show.
“This play is about bringing a bit of joy into the community,” she says.
“The arts have such a strong presence in our world, we want to shine a light on that.”
Blood Brothers runs from Tuesday, July 30, to Saturday, August 3. More information can be found here: https://www.howickcollege.school.nz/major-production
