KEARSNEY College’s drama students’ performance of Mob Feel received an emotional response from audiences and judges at the inaugural KZN Festival of Excellence in Dramatic Arts (FEDA).

Inspired by Can Themba’s short story Mob Passion, Mob Feel tells the story of two young lovers whose relationship is torn apart by gang violence in 1950s Westbury, Johannesburg. Exploring themes of division, prejudice and reconciliation, the play remains strikingly relevant in contemporary South Africa, delivering a powerful message of inclusivity, compassion and shared humanity.

The story also touched actor Mpilo Nzimande, who performed in the original production.

At the festival, the drama students swept the awards, winning seven major accolades, including Best Production.

Also read: Kearsney College Choir crowned champs in Barcelona

Kearsney claimed awards for best choreography, best ensemble, best live music, best actor, best directors, most inspirational performance and the festival’s top honour, best production.

Held at the Milkwood Theatre in Durban North, the festival brought together Grade 10 and 11 dramatic arts students from Kearsney as well as 11 other KZN schools.

FEDA, an independent high school one-act play festival established in 2004, was hosted in KZN for the first time this year. It aims to provide a safe, creative and celebratory platform where young artists and theatre-makers can produce, direct and perform original, thought-provoking theatre.

Kearsney’s award-winning production was an ambitious adaptation of the late Kline Smith’s acclaimed play Mob Feel. Grade 11 learners Senzo Phiri and Mukona Marageni undertook the formidable challenge of adapting and directing the original two-person play for an ensemble cast of 17, under the mentorship of Kearsney’s head of Dramatic Arts, Ulaetha Singh.

 The production also earned Kearsney student Zethembiso Fakude the award for best actor.

Also read: Kearsney choir wins double gold in World Choral Festival 

Dr Ismail Mahomed, director of the Centre for Creative Arts at UKZN and one of the festival adjudicators, praised the production.

“It was an absolutely brilliant production,” he said. “Fantastic ensemble work. Excellent acting. Superb technical execution. Just really good direction. Kearsney College’s production was an absolute winner.”

Singh said the success reflected the dedication and creativity of the students, who embraced every aspect of the production process.

 “To see our students take ownership of such a challenging work, collaborate so effectively and produce theatre of this calibre is incredibly rewarding. These awards recognise not only their talent, but also their courage, discipline and commitment to using theatre as a powerful medium for storytelling and social change.”

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