Smiling and getting to know each other in West Side Story

Musical on stage at Víðistaðaskóli

Preparations for the staging of Víðistaðaskóli's musical, West Side Story – A Story from the West Side, are in their final stages. There was a great buzz in the sports hall, where the show will be staged, as the Year 10 pupils spent 12 hours yesterday rehearsing and setting up the stage. Everything is coming together and with five performances ahead, the first is on Friday, 14th December at 8 p.m.

Kristín Vala, Elín Margrét and Hjörleifur Daði play the main roles and we ask: Is this fun? „This is brilliant,“ they reply. „A fantastic process. I couldn't recommend it more,“ adds Kristín Vala. Are they full of anticipation? „Yes, the tension is building,“ she adds.

Premiere during the theme week

But what about the studies? „Theme days have been planned for this week when the premiere takes place. So there's no studying at the moment,“ she says, and Elín Margrét adds: „Yes, and no assessments either.“ They can therefore concentrate on the work.

Kristín Vala plays Anita in the production: „She's Bernardo's girlfriend, who's the leader.“ Elín Margrét adds. „Yes, the leader of the Portos, the sharks. And I play Maria, who's the main girl.“ They laugh. „Yes,“ says Hjörleifur. „I play Tony, who's the main guy.“ The story is based on Romeo and Juliet, a play by Shakespeare. But did they know the play?

„We didn't know anything about West Side Story until we were told we were going to be putting it on. Then we met up here at school and watched the film together,“ says Kristín Vala. They immediately got excited, learnt their lines and turned up for rehearsals.

But how did they get the parts? „We went for auditions,“ says Elín Margrét. „Nilli, Jóhanna and Mirjam then chose for the roles,“ adds Hjörleifur, who are the musical director, choreographer and director.

But does one need to have all these skills to get the lead role? „No, not at all,“ they answer in unison. „It's enough to have the will and the courage to take part,“ says Kristín Vala.

All Year 10 students take part.

There are three Year 10 classes at Víðistaðaskóli. She is in the same one, he is in one of the others. So, are you getting to know each other better now that you're all working on the play?

„Yes, a lot,“ replies Hjörleifur, and they agree. „We've all become good friends,“ says Elín Margrét. Kristín Vala adds, „There are kids here who I didn't speak to at all before, but now I can't stop talking to them. It's always been said that the musical brings the whole year group together. That's true.“

But will everyone take part? „Yes, everyone has to take part,“ says Elín Margrét, and they agree. „Yes, working in the shop, lighting, hair, make-up, set design, advertising. All sorts. The grants committee. Even if you don't want to be on stage, you can do all sorts of things.“

Right now, nothing else matters but the play. But what about the Year 10 exams? „No, we're not thinking about them at all,“ says Hjörleifur.

But what do they want to do? Which secondary school do they want to go to?? „I'm definitely going to MK,“ says Hjörleifur. „I'm going to Kvennó on the science stream,“ says Elín Margrét, and Kristín Vala sums it up.

„I want to go to Versló on the art stream. I'm captivated by the shows there. It's always been like that since I was little. I've always wanted to be an actress and go down that path.“

Take so much with them from the play

But what do they take with them into life by taking part in a play like this? Hjörleifur mentions that there are many. „Courage, standing on stage in front of everyone, which I have done because I sing a lot,“ he says. Elín Margrét says that she has never stood on stage before.

„I agree about the courage,“ she says. Kristín Vala says Níels taught them so much.

„This has boosted my self-confidence a great deal. I've learnt more about myself. I've learnt a lot from Anita, the character I play, and from what she says. I've also learnt from the camaraderie – you learn so much from others, helping each other on stage. You can't stop smiling.“

And now it's our turn to take the stage and reap the rewards. Tickets cost 1,700 krónur and the show is about two and a quarter hours long, including an interval. Tickets are available from Tix. 

Performances are:

• Friday, 14th February at 20:00 ✨
• Saturday, 15th February at 13:00 and 17:00 ✨
• Sunday, 16th February at 13:00 and 17:00 ✨⭐️

See what the director says about the show. here.