Students Shine in Spectacular Summer Production of The Land of Oz

Date:  8th July- 9th July 2026 

Where: The Royal Harbour Academy Upper Site  and London

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 our 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, commenting that "the Lion was incredible." Another pupil said they loved the costumes and scenery, whilst a young girl commented that the cast looked as though they were having so much fun on stage. It was wonderful to see how engaged and excited the younger audience members were throughout the performance. 

Drama Teacher, Molly Stillman, praised the students for their commitment and the journey they had taken throughout the rehearsal process.

"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.

"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."

As we celebrate the success of The Wizard of Oz, we are already looking ahead to our next adventure. We are delighted to announce that our Summer 2027 production will be Matilda the Musical. Following the enthusiasm, commitment and talent shown by our Theatre Club members this year, we cannot wait to begin rehearsals and welcome both returning and new students to the cast. If The Wizard of Oz is anything to go by, audiences are in for another spectacular show. 

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.

The Summer Show was a wonderful celebration of creativity, confidence and collaboration, highlighting the school's commitment to providing enriching opportunities beyond the classroom. The success of The Land of Oz reflects not only the remarkable talent of the students but also the dedication of the staff who supported them every step of the way.

Congratulations to everyone involved in making this year's Summer Show such a resounding success.