STUDENT THEATRE FESTIVAL 2025
This is our sixth year of the Student Theatre Festival, a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and bold new voices. Our students have taken on every aspect of production, from performing and directing to designing, learning not only to lead but also to share ownership of their artistic visions across a company of over forty cast and crew. This year’s selection of plays is united by a compelling exploration of power, control, and resistance, whether political, social, or deeply personal. From the corruption of authority and the defiance of oppression, to the struggles for identity and freedom, each production invites us to question who holds power, how it is used, and what it costs to resist it.
Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht, translated by Stephen Sharkey, directed by Tanay Suresh and Felix Schaefer Cheng is a sharp political allegory that portrays the rise of tyranny through Chicago gangsters. Arturo Ui’s ruthless ambition and corruption mirror Adolf Hitler’s ascent, exposing the mechanisms of power and greed. Sharkey’s translation retains Brecht’s biting wit, dark humor, and moral urgency, making the play both engaging and thought-provoking. With its mix of historical critique and theatrical innovation, Arturo Ui challenges audiences to reflect on society’s complicity in allowing tyranny to flourish.
The Accordion Shop by Cush Jumbo directed by Jack Taylor and Aisha Ardi, commissioned by the National Theatre’s Connections programme, is a dynamic play inspired by the 2011 London riots. It follows Mister Ellody, an accordion shop owner, as a mysterious text—“RIOT. THE ROAD. 7pm TONIGHT”—sparks a sudden, chaotic protest among local youth. Blending humor, movement, and sharp social commentary, the play explores youth frustration, community tension, and the unexpected consequences of unrest, offering a thought-provoking and energetic look at society in turmoil.
Sparkleshark by Philip Ridley, directed by Makayla Budiarto, Serena Xiao and Ayana Wickramasinghe is a powerful play about the transformative power of storytelling and imagination. When Jake, a lonely teenage boy, retreats to the rooftop with his notebook, he creates a fantastical world that captivates and unites a group of school bullies. Through humor, tension, and poetic language, the play explores themes of friendship, creativity, and the courage to stand out, showing how imagination can break down barriers and bring people together.
Pretty Pieces by Charles Robertson, directed by Palchhin Mishra, is a powerful one-act play that delves into the lives of a brother and sister trapped in a run-down apartment on the fringes of society. Haunted by a traumatic past, the sister seeks to piece together their history, while the brother turns to drugs and selling his body to cope. As they face eviction, the brother contemplates a chance at happiness, threatening the fragile bond they share. The sister's desperate measures ensure he cannot escape her, leading to a tragic unraveling of their lives.
Please note that filming or flash photography isn’t allowed during the performance due to copyright restrictions. We also ask that no food or drinks be brought into the space. Kindly keep your phones on silent before entering. Latecomers will be admitted only at an appropriate pause in the performance. Thank you for helping us create a focused and respectful experience for our performers!
