The annual One Act Play Festival, held on 9, 10 and 11 October 2025, brought the Box Theatre to life with four remarkable student-written productions: Chasing the Sun, The Night Before, Reason’s Shadow and Memento Mori: To Dust You Shall Return. Each night concluded to electrified applause as audiences were treated to raw, thought-provoking, and beautifully executed performances.
By the second evening, word had spread. Over 100 people filled the venue, forcing organisers to bring in extra seating after originally catering for just 70. The buzz was undeniable, and the atmosphere electric.
What made this year’s festival even more special was that every play was both written and directed by the Grade 10 & 11 boys themselves, with a single Grade 7 boy assisting in the productions. The themes they tackled—depression, suicide, domestic violence, bullying, school shootings, life in the hood, and even the afterlife—were stark and challenging, yet handled with maturity and sensitivity. Though the subject matter was often heavy, the performances were anything but depressing: they shone with authenticity, skill, and passion.
Behind the scenes, the boys demonstrated the same grit that shone on stage. After three to four weeks of late nights and intense rehearsals, they faced an unexpected challenge when a rampant strain of Covid swept through. Yet they refused to be deterred. At one point, a bed was even set up in the office for cast members to nap between rehearsals and shows. Their resilience and determination epitomised the Bennies spirit.
The results spoke for themselves: audiences praised the professionalism and high theatrical standards of the productions, many remarking that they could easily have been staged beyond the school walls. Awards were plentiful, with each play recognised in its own right. The Night Before by Filippo Cinti emerged as the overall winner, while Soneesh Govender bagged best Director for Reason’s Shadow. Best Actor accolades went to Vaughn Swanepoel and Moses Lukengu, while the Audience Favourite award was claimed by Vusisiswe Dhlamini for Memento Mori.
The 2025 One Act Plays were not just a festival of theatre—they were a celebration of creativity, courage, and the unbreakable spirit of Bennies boys.