Young talent shines in Theatrical Symphony

When Adeline Baker was young, she tried playing soccer. It was not her calling. It turned out, though, that musical theatre was. While at first she didn’t want to go, it was her mum who pushed her in the right direction.

“I feel most like myself when I am on stage and performing,” Adeline told The AJN. “When you are part of a show you feel like you’re in a special world and it’s so sad when it ends. You meet heaps of people and I have made so many friends through theatre. We get along really well because we are all theatre kids.”

Adeline is in Year 7 and has already built up an impressive performance portfolio. She regularly appears with the Young Australian Broadway Chorus and has performed in productions such as The Sound of Music and School of Rock.

Now, she’s set to take the stage in Theatrical Symphony, a concert celebrating musical theatre’s greatest hits and showcasing the next generation of Australian musical theatre talent.

Adeline said being part of Theatrical Symphony gives her the opportunity to do what she loves most alongside her friends.

“I always look forward to Theatrical rehearsals and even more so, the performances. I would do a new show every month if I could,” she said.

Performing though does mean that Adeline has to balance a lot of commitments, including her school work alongside her performing duties. However, Adeline explained that it means a lot ends up happening in the car.

“My parents do a lot of schlepping me to different classes and rehearsals – I am always getting changed or eating dinner in the car. Sometimes in the car on the way to school my brother will practice lines with me,” she said. “Often I come home late and I’m really tired and I have to force myself to do a bit of homework.”

But, for Adeline, it’s all worth it.

Adeline said audiences will love the fact that Theatrical Symphony isn’t just one musical, but the best songs from a range of different ones. “So you get to experience all your favourites in one show,” she said, explaining that everyone sounds amazing together.

As for her favourites, Adeline said she can’t choose. But if she absolutely had to pick, it would be a toss up between Thirteen and Matilda.

“In Thirteen there is a song called ‘The Lamest Place In The World’ which I love. I really relate to Thirteen because it is about a kid my age having his bar mitzvah and becoming a teenager,” she explained. “I also LOVE Matilda and the song ‘When I Grow Up’ which we sing in Theatrical Symphony.”

Backed by a live 36-piece orchestra, Theatrical Symphony brings together performers of all ages and backgrounds, with Adeline representing emerging young artists within Melbourne’s vibrant performing arts scene.

Theatrical Symphony is at the National Theatre from April 10-12. For more information, visit theatrical.com.au/symphony