Theatre company wins award for adaptation of ‘Shrek Jr’ at Junior Theatre Festival in Birmingham
With a high-energy, 14-minute rendition of Shrek JR., Hoi Polloi Academy (HPA) impressed at the Junior Theatre Festival 2025 in Birmingham and won the esteemed Dance Award on Saturday. Notable for its energetic movement, discipline, and captivating dance narrative, the 26-member team—aged 7 to 16—performed
Marco Calleja, HPA’s artistic director, remarked, “This award honors the creativity, energy, and dedication of our students.” “It is an acknowledgement of the amazing effort our young artists have really put in.”
Aside from the group award, students Amy Farrugia and Raffaele Luigi Gauci were chosen as JTF All-Stars and would participate in a unique, choreographed presentation on the festival’s primary stage with other top young artists from all throughout Europe. Particularly, this was Farrugia’s second year running as an All-Star.
HPA students participated in West End professionals-led acting, singing, and dance workshops throughout the festival, acquiring practical experience and exposure to the field of musical theater. HPA teachers also participated in professional development workshops with top iTheatrics industry experts.
Calleja remarked, “What we experienced this weekend is our ethos in motion: a collective that uplifts, empowers, and artistically and personally supports each other.” ” HPA is a community rather than a school; it’s turning out to be quite famous. a venue where young people become themselves via theater and through each other.
More recognition came in nominations for the illustrious International All-Stars project. Students Emily Georgea Dimech, Erika Bonello, and Laura Cardona auditioned for the opportunity to visit New York City in 2026, where successful candidates would rehearse and perform with peers from all over.
Festival judges commended HPA for their intergenerational cooperation, coherence, and theatricality. Younger pupils, clearly inspired by their older peers, made “Children will listen,” a theme running throughout the performance, tangible. One judge remarked on the “genuine bond” among the artists, noting that it was obvious they “really like each other,” and that warmth showed strongly on stage.
Accompanying the group, parent Marie Louise Mangion offered her thoughts:
The kids worked really hard, giving their everything and showing what they actually like doing together. The judges remarked so favorably; their accolades showed the great backstage mentoring. We have only Mr. Marco, Ms. Lara, Ms. Claire, Ms. Rebecca, Ms. Maria, and all of the educators to express gratitude. The hoi polloi attitude reflected brilliancy.
Held yearly at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, the Junior Theatre Festival Europe is the biggest festival of young musical theatre on the continent. One of the biggest theatrical licensing companies, Music Theatre International (MTI), creates it. Established in 1952 by Broadway greats Frank Loesser and Don Walker, MTI oversees more than 5,000 performances annually; its London office handles productions from Iceland to Israel.
The festival this year once more highlighted the transformational ability of youth theater. Hoi Polloi Academy stood out as a brilliant example of what young performers can accomplish when given the platform and encouragement to flourish.
