What was meant to be a “gobsmacking” opening night for 430 Matua School students quickly turned into an evening of heartbreak.

On Wednesday, at 6.30pm, Matua School was set to stage its biennial Gobsmacked production Maui the Magnificent at the Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre.

Months of anticipation and three intense weeks of rehearsals with Gobsmacked Productions had transformed the primary school students into confident young performers, ready to shine in full costume, make-up, and under the lights of a professional theatre, said director of Gobsmacked Productions, Patrice Macgregor.

What was meant to be a gobsmacking opening night for 430 Matua School students quickly turned into an evening of heartbreak. Photo / Jemma Matthews

“Just 23 minutes before curtain call, disaster struck.

“A sudden power cut plunged both the auditorium and backstage hall into emergency lighting, leaving nearly 500 waiting family members and friends in stunned anticipation.”

Unaware of the seriousness of the situation, the students gathered for a final pep talk.

Macgregor had directed more than 50 musicals at the Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre over the last 10 years, and this had never happened before.

Just 23 minutes before curtain call, disaster struck. A sudden power cut plunged both the auditorium and backstage hall into emergency lighting. Photo / Jemma Matthews

Music teacher Jeremy Hantler from Matua School, led the children in extended vocal warm-ups to keep spirits high until a decision was made.

“Soon, news arrived: 691 properties were without power, with restoration unlikely before 10.15pm.”

Matua School principal Marcus Norrish was left with the duty of telling nearly 500 waiting family and friends that the performance could not go ahead.

Director of Gobsmacked Productions, Patrice Macgregor, said she has directed over 50 musicals at the Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre over the last 10 years, and this had never happened before. Photo / Jemma Matthews

“Backstage, the atmosphere turned from excitement to heartbreak as students struggled to hold back tears.”

Macgregor said that for many families, the cancellation was especially heartbreaking.

“A grandparent who had flown from the South Island would leave the next morning without ever seeing her grand-daughter perform.

A grandparent who had flown from the South Island would leave the next morning without ever seeing her granddaughter perform. Photo / Jemma Matthews

“Countless others who could only attend the Wednesday night show realised they would miss their children’s big moment entirely.

“Some of the lead cast members even dropped to their knees, praying for a miracle that the show might still go on.”

A miracle did come, but too late.

Some of the lead cast members even dropped to their knees, praying for a miracle that the show might still go on. Photo / Jemma Matthews

At 7.02pm, the power suddenly returned, and the lights of the theatre flickered back to life.

Macgregor said that by then, many students had already been collected by their parents, and the opportunity to save the night had slipped away.

Thankfully, the story didn’t end there.

“The following day, both the 4pm and 6.30pm shows went ahead as planned.

“With sold-out crowds cheering them on, the students of Matua School finally delivered the Gobsmacked performance they had dreamed of.”