Coronavirus restrictions and year 12 exams have led Tribe Youth Theatre to move its production of Cats to January.
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Originally set to open on September 24, Cats is now set to present eight shows from January 16. The show was originally supposed to open as part of Bendigo Theatre Company's 2020 season.
"We were well on the way because we had an intensive rehearsal period in last school holidays for a week but not being able to be together since then because density limits has hampered us," director Denton Delmenico said.
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"It's not a show with distinct scenes - everyone is on stage the entire time, which makes it particularly difficult to rehearse.
"So we've moved to an intensive schedule in the January school holidays that will be two weeks of rehearsals before we move into performance week."
Mr Delminico said the cast was positive about the move.
"Their response to moving to January has been positive as they see it as the best chance to get the show on," he said.
"They have seen (the show) as a social outlet and opportunity to mix with each other. They work fantastically well and don't waste a second.
"The cast are to be commended for the amount of persistence they have shown with the show. Bendigo Theatre Company and Tribe have been absolutely supportive of the decisions the creative team has made. They've been fantastic."
Mr Delmenico said the move to early 2022 also allowed cast members preparing for year 12 exams to focus on their studies.
"We'll touch on the show when can through term 4 but a lot of the cast are in year 12, so we don't want to overwhelm them too much," he said. "Term four was never on our agenda but if we can get together for a sing we will.
"(Through restrictions) we have had lots of small groups work together in groups of less than 10 to rehearse little sections. But (restrictions) slow the process because you end up doing the same thing four times (with different groups but that was part of adapting.
"It's looking fantastic and I have got all confidence that two weeks of rehearsal in our January intensive will get us ready for the stage."
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