Northfields International School has concluded what has been widely celebrated as one of the most ambitious school theatre productions Mauritius has seen in recent years. On the evenings of 19th and 20th June 2026, 63 students took to the stage of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute Theatre in Moka for two performances of Matilda the Musical JR., bringing Roald Dahl’s beloved story of courage, imagination and the power of young people to life in front of packed audiences.
The production marked the school’s first large-scale theatrical staging in several years, and by any measure, it delivered on the considerable expectation that had built around it. Audiences were treated to two vibrant, high-energy performances that showcased the breadth of talent across the Northfields student body — from the youngest cast members to the lead performers who carried the story night after night with remarkable poise and presence.
In a production notable for its ambition, one of its most distinctive features was the decision to dual-cast the lead roles across the two performance nights. The title role of Matilda was shared between Caprice Rahme and Sofia Sommer, with Miss Honey portrayed by Victoria Straub on the first night and Olivia Potage on the second. The formidable Miss Trunchbull was brought to life by Jessica Parsons across both performances. The arrangement, conceived by co-directors Carleigh Akiti and Shaakira Soorjee to give as many students as possible the opportunity to shine, proved to be one of the production’s defining strengths — giving audiences on each night a distinct and memorable experience.
The choreography, developed by Alexa Lagesse and informed by acclaimed West End and Broadway productions of the musical, drew visible appreciation from audiences throughout both evenings. Across the show’s most iconic numbers, students moved from disciplined, restrained sequences under Miss Trunchbull’s reign to joyful, liberated choreography as Matilda’s story reached its resolution — a physical arc that mirrored the emotional journey of the show itself and reflected months of intensive preparation and creative collaboration.
Behind the performances lay a production effort that extended well across the Northfields faculty. Co-directors and producers Carleigh Akiti and Shaakira Soorjee led rehearsals that expanded well beyond standard school hours, including full-day Saturday sessions throughout the production period. Coordinating teacher Rachel Cox oversaw the set and props through a dedicated weekly club, with students crafting everything from Bruce’s legendary chocolate cake to a full bathroom mock-up. Music, design technology and art teachers contributed one-on-one vocal coaching and hands-on construction support, while the DT technician collaborated on the large-scale stage structures that gave the production its visual scale. The production was a school-wide undertaking in the truest sense.
The two performances at the MGI Theatre were met with warm and enthusiastic responses from audiences drawn from across the Northfields community and the wider public — a testament to both the quality of the students’ work and the growing appetite for school theatre in Mauritius as a form of cultural and community engagement.
Lee Wilson, Executive Head of School at Northfields, reflected on the significance of what had been achieved. “To see 63 students take a professional stage and deliver two nights of theatre of this quality is a source of immense pride for everyone at Northfields,” he said. “What this production demonstrated is that when you give young people a meaningful creative challenge, the results can be extraordinary. These students came together as a community, supported one another, and grew in ways that go far beyond what any classroom lesson can achieve. This is education at its fullest — and it is exactly what Northfields stands for.”
Northfields International School is a member of the Inspired Education Group, for which the performing arts represent a core pillar of its educational philosophy. The school places strong emphasis on developing the whole child — academically, physically, socially and creatively — and Matilda the Musical JR. stands as a vivid expression of that commitment in action. For many of the 63 students involved, the production will remain among the defining experiences of their time at Northfields: two nights under the lights of the MGI Theatre, having stood up, stepped out, and proved something to themselves.
