Royal Harbour Academy students captivated audiences with three outstanding performances of The Land of Oz, a creative spin-off from the much-loved classic The Wizard of Oz, during this year’s Summer Show.
Performed in the theatre at the school’s Upper Site, the production was the culmination of months of dedication, rehearsals and teamwork. Students committed countless hours to learning lines, perfecting choreography and bringing their characters to life, resulting in three memorable performances that showcased the exceptional talent and enthusiasm within the school community.
Students from Newington Community Primary School who attended the daytime performance were full of praise. One student described the production as “the best show I have ever seen,” while a young boy was particularly impressed by the Cowardly Lion, saying “the Lion was incredible.”
Another pupil said they loved the costumes and scenery, while one young girl said that the cast looked as though they were having so much fun on stage.
Drama teacher, Molly Stillman, praised the students for their commitment and the journey they had taken throughout the rehearsal process.
She said: “Firstly, thank you to every single person who has been part of The Wizard of Oz. To our amazing cast, you have worked so hard over the past few months, and I couldn’t be prouder of every one of you. Watching you all grow in confidence and bring these characters to life has been incredible.
“Just like Dorothy discovered, there’s no place like home, but tonight this stage has felt like home to all of us. Being your drama teacher is my favourite job in the world, and I’m so grateful for you all.”
Mr Stoner, Assistant Head Teacher and Head of Sixth Form, who attended one of the performances with his family, praised the students and staff involved, saying: “I wanted to say how well the students performed at the Summer Show. It was a fantastic evening and they all did so well.
“I also want to say a huge thank you to Molly for the incredible amount of time and effort she has put into these shows, giving our students such fantastic opportunities. As Molly said to me on the night, ‘We have some fantastic talent at this school,’ and that is absolutely true.
“The joy from all the students when we spoke to them afterwards was overwhelming, and we are all incredibly proud of them.”
The school is already looking forward to the Summer 2027 production of Matilda the Musical.
As a reward for their hard work and commitment, the cast enjoyed a special trip to London, along with the students who take Drama, to see the award-winning West End musical Matilda.
The experience provided students with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements while taking inspiration from a professional theatre production.
