RHS Takes to the Stage at Edinburgh Fringe

On Monday 19th August, 2024, sixteen of our students from Years 10-13 headed off to Edinburgh Fringe Festival, to complete four performances of last academic year’s school production of ‘Little Women’. 

Led by Mr Randall, Curriculum Leader of Drama, and Ms Ohana, Curriculum Leader of Media Studies, the students set off from Euston Station to journey to the world’s largest performance festival. The students had the opportunity to take to the stage for four performances at Paradise Green, one of the many Fringe Festival venues. 

The students performed each show with the same brilliance and finesse seen during their December 2023 performances at RHS. However, this time it was all the more impressive, as they were performing at a venue they had never had a chance to rehearse in before, to paying members of the public. It would be impossible to pick out one performance, as all four were excellent. A notable moment was when celebrated Channel 4 journalist, Michael Crick, attended one of the performances and later shared his review on X (previously known as Twitter), stating how impressed he was with our students and that the performance was one of the highlights of his time at this year’s Fringe. 

We were also very grateful to the friends and family members of the cast, who journeyed from around the country to join the students in Edinburgh to watch a performance. 

Beyond their performances, the students also had the chance to watch lots of fantastic theatre for themselves. From a one-woman show, to clowning, the variety of performances students got to watch delighted and inspired the students. In addition, the students also enjoyed an evening of traditional Scottish dancing, Cèilidh dancing, which every single one of them thoroughly enjoyed and got fully involved in. The week’s activities ended with the students taking a ‘Ghost Tour’ of Edinburgh, on which they got to see the top sites of the city - all with a spooky twist. 

The students all behaved impeccably throughout what was a very jam-packed trip. Max, Year 12, said: “What a week! This has honestly been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I am sad that it was the last time we got to perform Little Women together, but I cannot wait for the next school performance.”

Meanwhile, Laylah, Year 11, said: “I had the best time on the trip. Not only getting to perform, which I’ll never forget, but also seeing lots of different shows, which were hilarious, thought-provoking and, sometimes, a bit weird! I am so grateful to my teachers for giving us the chance to go to Edinburgh.”

A huge well done to our students for taking on the challenge of performing at the Fringe and thank you to Mr Randall and Ms Ohana for supporting the students on the trip.