From Johannesburg to Cape Town to Durban, Reddam House students have stepped into the spotlight with a series of bold, original and professionally staged productions that have elevated school theatre to new heights – with two of the schools under consideration for Naledi Award nominations.
As part of the Inspired Education Group, Reddam House schools place performing and creative arts at the very heart of education, recognising the stage not simply as a platform for performance, but as a space for growth, courage and belonging. This ethos is lived out in six exceptional productions staged across South Africa in 2024/2025 – each reflecting the diversity, discipline and talent of Reddam House students.
Reddam House Bedfordview delivered Canvas of Life, an emotionally charged, original dance production described as “a moving reflection on life’s journey through brushstrokes of paint”. Produced and choreographed by Ms Lucia Anne Cunningham, the production featured over 30 student dancers, a stunning visual art collaboration, and more than 300 hours of rehearsal. The production is being considered for a Naledi Award nomination for its choreographic excellence and artistic impact.
At Reddam House Constantia, the feel-good musical All Shook Up set hearts racing and audiences cheering with a professional-calibre staging that blended Elvis classics with uplifting themes of identity, confidence, and community. “Students who may not find their place in the classroom or on the sports field were given their place in the sun – and boy did they shine,” said director Brett Alborough.
Two students also played in the orchestra, gaining valuable experience performing alongside seasoned musicians.
Reddam House Durbanville’s Broadway Banter offered a poignant, multi-generational tale of performers and their craft, featuring students from Grade 5 to 12. One student who had never performed before emerged as a lead, while another discovered confidence that has since transformed his school journey. This ripple effect led to the launch of a student-led drama programme, where learners now take charge of lighting, design and mentorship – a practical demonstration of the arts as a leadership platform.
Reddam House Atlantic Seaboard took to the stars with its electrifying production of Return to the Forbidden Planet – a rock ‘n’ roll reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Tempest infused with retro sci-fi flair. Featuring a talented, high-energy cast and a live student band, the show delivered a whirlwind of 50s and 60s hits including Great Balls of Fire, Good Vibrations and The Monster Mash. With choreography that dazzled, a roller-skating robot, space monsters, and dialogue delivered in iambic pentameter, the production was as smart as it was wildly entertaining. A celebration of youthful energy, theatrical creativity and musical skill, the show cemented Atlantic Seaboard’s place as a rising force in the performing arts.
At Reddam House Helderfontein, Radio City brought energy, emotion and musical brilliance to the stage. The original production featured 23 musical numbers, student choreographers, and a dynamic storyline celebrating creative rebellion and the power of music to heal and connect. Submitted for Naledi Award consideration, the production was directed by Heads of Music, Dance and Drama – and brought together the entire school community in a spectacular cultural showcase.
All music was performed live by Helderfontein students, led by their Head of Music – a rare showcase of both instrumental and vocal talent from within the school.
Meanwhile, Reddam House Umhlanga set a new national benchmark as the first South African school to stage Anastasia the Musical. Performed with live accompaniment by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and featuring over 100 student cast members, the immersive supper-theatre format wowed audiences and won critical acclaim. In addition, Reddam House Umhlanga’s College Choir performed alongside the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir and was invited to appear at the prestigious Music in the Mountains festival – rare honours that cement the school’s position as a cultural leader.
Two Reddam House Umhlanga students also had the exceptional opportunity to perform as part of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra during the production.
Ravi Nadasen, CEO of Inspired Education Group: Africa and the Middle East, explains that these productions are not isolated events but rather reflect a broader educational vision, saying:
“At Inspired, we believe the arts are not an extracurricular luxury but a vital thread in the fabric of education. Our Performing & Creative Arts pillar fosters self-expression, collaboration, and emotional intelligence – skills as vital as academic achievement in shaping the confident, culturally aware leaders of tomorrow. These Reddam House productions show what happens when talent is nurtured, voices are heard, and creativity is championed.”
Across all six productions, students have not only grown artistically, but personally – learning resilience, leadership, self-belief, and joy. In their ongoing mission to future-proof education, Reddam House schools continue to offer more than qualifications – they offer identity, expression, and transformation.
