Aida was an award-winning Broadway hit. Why not bring it to Bermuda?

Berkeley Institute students are hoping to replicate that success when they perform Aida next month — the school’s first musical in several years.

Set mostly in Ancient Egypt, it centres around a love triangle between Radames, the captain of the Egyptian army, his intended bride Amneris and Aida, a captive Nubian princess.

Music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice helped it win four Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score.

“What high school student doesn’t understand a love triangle,” said Quinceé Dill, who plays Aida.

The 17-year-old admitted it was difficult for her to play someone’s love interest.

“Everyone in the cast giggles,” she said. “That makes it nerve-racking. It is something new that I have to learn and adapt to.”

Quinceé, who has performed in several plays outside her school, hopes to study acting in university and sees performing Aida as a great opportunity.

“This is a chance to learn about myself and advance,” she said.

Teacher Nakia Manders said the musical brought Berkeley students from different artistic arenas together.

“We have a lot of the dancers, actors and singers in the play,” she said. “It is a nice collaborative effort for our department.”

Ryan Ray said he was enjoying practising in his role as Radames. A member of the Berkeley Institute choir, he said he was more comfortable singing than acting.

“The hardest thing about being in the play is remembering your lines and making sure you are in the right position at the right time,” he said. “In a way it has impacted other things in a positive way. I know I have to stay focused and make sure everything I do is accurate and on target.”

Chinyere Nwasike said the challenge in playing her character, Amneris, was portraying someone who was overly dramatic.

“Amneris is very beautiful and dramatic but also very insecure,” she said.

“You can see her true colours come out as the play goes on. The most difficult thing is showing her insecurity.”

The 17-year-old hopes to eventually head to the United Kingdom to study performing arts.

Aida will be performed in the Berkeley Institute Cafetorium from December 4 to 6 at 7pm. General tickets, $15, and patron tickets, $50, are available from the school office or at www.bdatix.bm. For more information call 292-4752.