12:00a.m. 24th October 2007

Frazer Radford and Rebecca Read rehearse for their roles as Kermit the Frog and Inspector Gadget. Photo: Warren Lynam/169801

The kids in Maroochydore State School’s musical Remember the ’80s weren’t born in the era they’re singing and dancing about this week, but they embraced the spirit.

Arts teachers Sally Stewart and Jarda Samaha, who were teens in the ’80s, focused the musical on the decade where teased hair and blue eyeliner were the fashion so parents could be as involved as the students.

“There’s been a big resurgence in the '80s fashion and music, so we wanted to use that and get the teachers and parents involved as well,” Sally said.

Sally said the students would be performing routines to songs from Madonna, Michael Jackson and INXS as well as recreating scenes from ’80s movies like Top Gun and Fame.

“We’ve had a lot of inspiration – everything from the Smurfs and the Flintstones to computer games like Space Invaders, and the fashions with big hair and jackets with the sleeves scrunched up,” she said.

Sam Pritchard, 12, who plays Tom Cruise, said he enjoyed the ’80s theme but thought it was “a bit weird”.

“The music is pretty good, Michael Jackson and that, but (the fashion) is a bit weird. I dunno,” he said.

Remember the 80s will be staged at Maroochydore State School on October 23 and 24. Tickets cost $5 or $20 for a family of five and must be pre-booked.

To book for tonight’s final show, call 5475 1555.