Great Southern Grammar student production The Real Inspector Hound created alongside Spectrum Theatre members

Great Southern Grammar students putting on their Year 10 production have teamed up with local amateur theatre group Spectrum Theatre to get first-hand experience of all the aspects involved in producing a play.

Students have been rehearsing their performance of The Real Inspector Hound since early this year, with their first show of a six-show run starting next Friday.

Drama teacher Katie Gunning said the play was chosen as part of the Year 10’s study of the “Theatre of the Absurd” genre, and is a “very light and very comedic” whodunnit with a satirical twist.

Ms Gunning initiated the partnership between Spectrum Theatre and her class to give them an “opportunity to have a more authentic learning experience”.

“They can experience a real theatre and get to learn the skills of how to put on a play properly with the full set and costume, and not just the things you can cobble together in school, but really do it justice,” she said.

“I’ve teamed up experienced members with students, so all of the students are learning a new element of theatre making from theatre members.”

As well as the students performing in the play, one student is directing it alongside Ms Gunning, and students are involved across the whole production, running the lighting, sound, backstage and sets.

“Hopefully, by the time we get to the end of this production, my students will have seen nearly every element of theatre and have a good knowledge of all the different elements and how they get put together,” she said.

Ms Gunning said the production gave students a chance to develop new skills and build confidence, as well as learn more about the workings of the theatre.

The Real Inspector Hound starts at Spectrum Theatre next Friday, November 11, with shows on Saturday and Sunday, and the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets at paperbarks.com.au.