Stanfordians set the stage on fire in “Sophiatown”

“Having watched them for two years, it was clear that we needed to do another musical to showcase the extraordinary talent in our school. Sophiatown had a profound influence not only on the political landscape but also on the music and dance styles of our country, long after it was gone.

In a very busy term, the rehearsal schedule pushed the cast almost to breaking point… but we made it. Every single person involved has made sacrifices to make this happen and the result was a show that was an emotional roller-coaster ride that told a horrible history while also being vibrant and uplifting. We are beyond proud of the cast of over 100 pupils who danced, sang and acted their hearts out. You truly showcased excellence in our school.”

The following poem was written by a parent, Bronwyn Egan, on the evening of the concert.

The Moth and the School Concert – by Bronwyn Egan

Where I want to be,
Does not exist,
PERFECT’S not a place you get to in this life….

But here, right now, there is a moth,
With fine toothed feelers sifting
scent from night,
With a skirt of scalloped velvet,
And a heart,
That’s beating as miraculously as my own.

There is a mountain, holding up the sky,
So that the evening’s sunlight can’t
be missed,
So that the gold and filigreed
embrace of cloud is not mistaken,
For just some necessary, mundane
task of nature.

There’s a lake with frogs,
Which means the water is still clear,
There’s grass grown long and wild
and unattended,
There are owls who still call,
unmolested,
And a stork flew by today,
Despite the troubled air and its decay.

And there are children,
Singing with their fresh, untainted
voices,
Trampling joy into the open-hearted
Earth,
Beguiling her again,
And yet again,
To give us one more, extra,
Last, last chance,
To live,
Because she loves to watch us dance.