Hoërskool Randburg learners deliver spectacular performances in theatre week
With sold out shows and attendees kept entertained throughout, Hoërskool Randburg hosted a successful theatre week, staging Everything in Wonderland.
Hoërskool Randburg learners brought magic to the stage in all their performances, keeping attendees laughing, craving more action during their theatre week.
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After nine perfomances in four days, with over 90 actors sharing the stage and 30 technicians making sure the production ran smoothly, the school’s bi-annual production pantomime: Everything in Wonderland, made their last bow on Saturday evening.
The production delivered twists and turns, keeping the audience laughing and fully engaged in the show. In this version, when Alles suddenly disappears, her two aunties, Karolina and Louisa, sound the alarm. They enlist the help of Sherlock Holmes to help them find their dear niece. Their search leads them through a pothole into a magical world: Wonderland. But nothing can prepare them for what lies ahead.
They discover that Alles has already been in Wonderland for a year, and is now engaged to Prince Sjarmant (Charming), from the powerful Ace Palace. But everything isn’t sunshine and roses – a dark danger is looming. The sly and power-hungry Koningin van Rooyen, from the Rooi Palace, wants to rule all of Wonderland, and her first target is Koningin de Witt, from the Ace Palace.
With the help of her powerful Rooi Tea, she manipulates her trusted son, Jack, and his cronies to assassinate Koningin de Witt. As time is running out, the Wonderland characters must work together to ensure that love, loyalty, and the truth prevails against the power of the Rooi Tea.
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The school held auditions at the end of 2024, and had three months of rehearsals. For the auditions, learners had to prepare parts of the text, a song to sing, and they had to dance choreography given to them.
Santi van den Berg, of the school, said that all of their performances were sold out, and the whole theatre week was a huge success. “The audience loved it, and their continuous laughter and participation was proof that they enjoyed the show. We had nothing but overwhelmingly positive reviews.”
Van den Berg explained that they love doing pantos, as it is so much fun and entertaining. The message of the story of Alles is that, no matter that you are different, you’ll find a place to belong.
“Big productions, like these, teach learners perseverance, determination, teamwork, everyone is important (not only the leads), and the old cliché: The show must go on, no matter what.”
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