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More than 200 Junior School girls, two casts and an experienced creative team will come together for four days of musical theatre, showcasing Roedean’s commitment to nurturing talent, building confidence and inspiring every girl to perform at her personal best.

The stage is set for an extraordinary celebration of young talent as Roedean School (SA) prepares to present Matilda.

Featuring more than 200 Junior School girls across two casts, the production brings together months of rehearsals, musical preparation, dramatic development and creative collaboration. At its heart are the young performers, who are discovering what it takes to bring a professional-scale theatrical production to life.

From mastering complex musical numbers and developing memorable characters to learning choreography and performing as part of an ensemble, the girls are being challenged to develop their abilities, build confidence and contribute to something greater than themselves.

Guiding this journey is Tim Hulse, Theatre Director and drama practitioner at the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, whose professional background includes training at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama from 1994 to 1997, followed by a career in television and theatre across the United Kingdom and Europe.

For Hulse, the production is about far more than preparing the girls for opening night. It is an opportunity to nurture their creativity, encourage self-expression and help each performer discover what she is capable of achieving.

Working alongside Tim is Tiro Serobe, who contributes to the production’s dramatic development, helping the young performers build their characters, strengthen their stage presence and bring the story’s distinctive personalities to life.

Musical direction is led by Alison Gericke, an accomplished music educator, specialist vocal coach and pianist with more than 25 years of experience in music education and over 40 school productions to her credit.

Drawing on her extensive experience, Alison is guiding the girls through Tim Minchin’s demanding musical score, developing their vocal projection, harmonies, diction and musical confidence.

Supporting the musical development is Sisanda Ngidi, who works alongside Alison on the production’s musical performances and will provide drum-kit accompaniment at the theatre.

The production is further supported by Marion Spanos, Deputy Head: Upper Junior, who oversees costume design, and Susan Swart, Deputy Head: Junior School Operations, who coordinates the production under the leadership of Keshma Patel, Head of Junior School.

Together, the creative and operational teams are creating an environment in which the girls can learn from experienced professionals while developing the discipline, teamwork and resilience required for live performance.

Holistic Education Brought to Life

Beyond the excitement of performing at the Lesedi Theatre, Matilda reflects Roedean’s commitment to holistic education and its belief that every girl should be encouraged to discover and develop her individual strengths.

The production provides opportunities for girls with different abilities, interests and levels of experience to participate meaningfully, whether through leading roles, ensemble performances or collaborative creative work.

Through structured rehearsals, expert guidance and encouragement, the girls are learning to embrace challenges, take responsibility, support one another and strive for their personal best.

These experiences reinforce Roedean’s vision of Inspiring a Life of Significance, demonstrating how learning extends beyond the classroom to develop confident, capable young women who recognise their potential.

As the curtain prepares to rise, the production promises to showcase not only the girls’ theatrical abilities, but also the confidence, friendships and personal growth developed throughout their journey to the stage.