The roar of The Lion King echoed through Reddford House Northcliff on August 29, as learners from grades 1 to 12 came together for the school’s grand gala performance.
The production marked the final night of a busy run, which included a Wednesday matinee for members of the community and local charities, followed by performances on Thursday and Friday evenings before the sold-out gala.

For Caryn Brinkley, head of Reddford House Northcliff, the production was particularly significant as it marked the school’s 10th major production and, for the first time, brought together performers from across the entire campus. “We wanted to make sure it included absolutely everyone, as far as possible,” she said.

Read more: Inside De La Salle Holy Cross College’s latest production

That meant young performers sharing the stage with matric pupils, creating moments that Brinkley said reflected more than just the school’s artistic talent. “Just how they all help each other,” she said on what stood out during rehearsals. “When you’ve got a scene where you’ve got a matric and you’ve got a Grade 1 child, they all just work together and encourage each other.

“When the little ones are tired, the older ones help them get up and keep going and performing and practising. That’s what’s been amazing. It’s basically the community of my school.”

Also read: Reddford House Northcliff principal thanks all involved in making production a success

The audiences were treated to a production filled with colourful costumes, music, dance and performances showcasing talent across the age groups. With the gala performance sold out and previous shows attracting both school and community audiences, the production offered a fitting celebration of the school’s commitment to the arts.

At Reddford House Northcliff, music, arts, dance and drama form a major part of school life, and Brinkley said celebrating pupils’ talents remains one of the institution’s important pillars, but beyond the costumes and spectacle, The Lion King also revealed something else: What can happen when pupils separated by more than a decade in age work towards the same goal.

Look out for an upcoming print edition of the Northcliff Melville Times for a broader behind-the-scenes look at the making of this ambitious production and the young performers who brought The Lion King to life.

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