Creative Arts

Richard Lander School’s recent production of Les Misérables can only be described as a theatrical triumph. From the opening note to the final curtain, the cast, crew, and orchestra delivered a performance that rivalled West End standards, leaving the audience captivated and deeply moved.

Leading the charge was Noah Sadka, who brought raw emotion and depth to the role of Jean Valjean. His powerful voice and nuanced portrayal of the troubled protagonist were a highlight of the night, particularly during his stirring renditions of “Bring Him Home” and “Who Am I?”. Opposite him, Ozzy Wood’s portrayal of Javert was nothing short of commanding. His intense stage presence and strong vocal delivery in numbers like “Stars” made him a force to be reckoned with, perfectly capturing the relentless nature of the character.

Kensa Freeman shone as Fantine, delivering an emotionally charged performance that resonated deeply with the audience. Her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” was heart-wrenching, combining vulnerability and strength in equal measure. Millie Padmore’s sweet portrayal of Cosette provided a delicate contrast, especially in her duets with Daisy Hodgson, who portrayed Marius so powerfully. Their chemistry and incredible vocal performances brought tenderness and poignancy to the love story at the heart of the show. The rendition of “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables” delivered a compelling reminder of the hollowness of grief.

Ella Baker’s portrayal of Éponine was another standout. Her haunting performance of “On My Own” was full of emotion, capturing the pain of unrequited love beautifully. Meanwhile, Charlie Sisson brought passion and energy to the role of Enjolras, leading the revolutionaries with conviction and a powerful stage presence.

Comic relief came in the form of the Thénardiers, played brilliantly by Luke Dunn, Molly Royle, and Neeve Roddis-Dunstan. Their timing was impeccable, and they balanced the humour of their characters with just the right amount of menace. Reuben Henry as Gavroche and Immy Dash as Little Cosette added charm and innocence, rounding out an already stellar cast.

The ensemble cast also deserves tremendous praise for their versatility and commitment to their many varied roles. Whether portraying factory workers, students at the barricade, Parisian Inn customers or ‘lovely ladies’, the ensemble seamlessly shifted between characters, adding depth and energy to every scene. Their harmonies were impeccable, particularly during powerful group numbers like “One Day More” and “Do You Hear the People Sing?”. The chorus brought the streets of revolutionary France to life, creating a vibrant backdrop that elevated the entire production,  further enhanced by amazing costumes, set and props.  From the flamboyant outfits of the Thénardiers to the giant barricade, the costumes and set added a striking visual element that immersed the audience in the world of Les Misérables.

Left of stage, the orchestra was absolutely superb, adding richness to every scene with flawless performances of the iconic score which ran throughout the entire show. The tech team’s provision of sound lighting only added to the West End-caliber feel of the production, creating a world that was both immersive and visually stunning.

Overall, this production of Les Misérables was a testament to the immense talent of the students involved and to the vision and commitment of the Richard Lander School Drama and Music departments.  It was a night of extraordinary vocal performances, moving acting, and technical excellence that will not soon be forgotten.

Les Misérables was filmed and will be released on to Richard Lander School YouTube channel later this year.

After the turbulence of lockdown, Richard Lander School’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda came back with a bang, delivering an electrifying and heart warming show that left the audience captivated. With over 100 students involved, the school chose to double cast the production, ensuring that everyone had their moment to shine – and shine like diamonds they did! This performance was a testament to our student’s resilience, creativity, and boundless talent.

At its core, Matilda carries a beautiful and empowering message: no matter how small you are, you have the power to effect change. This message was brought to life brilliantly by the students, whose energy and enthusiasm filled the stage. From the smallest roles to the lead characters, every student gave their all, proving that “even if you’re little, you can do a lot.” The choreography, which was both professional and technically demanding, was executed with remarkable precision, adding to the polish and spectacle of the show.

The principal cast of Matilda delivered stellar performances, with Gracie Salter and Daisy Ali sharing the title role, embodying Matilda’s intelligence and fierce determination with charm and confidence. Thivinya Samarawickrama and Marlie Burton were both outstanding as the kind-hearted Miss Honey, offering tenderness and hope amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, Alyssa Hamilton-Rhodes and Rayne Levick stole the show as the formidable Miss Trunchbull, with their larger-than-life performances striking just the right balance of humour and menace.

Ozzy Wood and Nate Tooze brought great energy to the role of Bruce, particularly during the iconic cake-eating scene, while Lottie Moore and Merryn Dutson shone as Lavender, Matilda’s loyal and cheeky friend. Mollie Sanderson and Ruby-Mae Pirie played the delightfully obnoxious Mrs. Wormwood with flair, alongside Leland Robbins as the comically clueless Mr. Wormwood and Max Dobson as the silent but hilarious Michael. Tess Cook as Amanda Thripp and Aidan Nelson as the flamboyant Rodolfo were also fantastic in their roles, adding extra sparkle to the ensemble.

The big, full-cast numbers like “Revolting Children” and “School Song” were highlights of the evening, bursting with energy and excitement. The synchronization of the ensemble, paired with the dynamic choreography, brought these numbers to life in a way that felt fresh and invigorating. The students’ enthusiasm was infectious, and it was clear that they were having as much fun performing as the audience was watching.

A special mention must go to the production band, whose fantastic live music added depth and excitement to every scene. From the whimsical melodies that accompanied Matilda’s quieter moments to the high-energy rhythms of the full-cast numbers, the band was integral to the success of the show. Their timing was impeccable, enhancing the atmosphere and ensuring that the musical numbers hit all the right notes—both literally and figuratively.

With such a talented cast and incredible live music, this production of Matilda was nothing short of magical. Each student brought their character to life with enthusiasm and professionalism, creating a truly memorable experience for everyone involved.

We hope each of our students carries the spirit of Matilda with them, finding the strength to stand up to the Trunchbulls of the world and never letting “a little thing like little” stop them!

In 2024 we were absolutely delighted to be awarded Artsmark Platinum! Our Creative Arts team work so hard to inspire students and this is so well deserved.

The Platinum award is very prestigious and this is why Artsmark decided we deserved it ..

‘Staff at Richard Lander School are passionate, long-serving advocates for the Arts. The school works steadfastly with students, external professionals and arts organisations so that a range of cultural experiences are rooted in a whole school arts pedagogy. As a result of strong, ambitious leadership at all levels, with support from governors, the school has seen an increased uptake of arts subjects in the upper key stage. The school details an extensive, high quality arts curriculum for students, with dance, art, drama, music, photography and textiles offered at G.C.S.E.; a plethora of enrichment activities; and a strong programme of visits to arts and cultural providers, such as Tate St. Ives, The Hepworth Museum and Falmouth Art Gallery. They demonstrate in their Case Study how ongoing development of that offer has enabled them to lead advocacy in their local area, for example, supporting a special school to develop their arts practice. Investment in new arts resources, such as a photography darkroom, has further increased existing high standards of achievements in all arts subjects. Cross-curricular projects, such as the ‘Habitats of the World’ collaboration between the geography and art departments which was short-listed for exhibition at the Natural History Museum, have inspired and motivated students and staff alike. A positive relationship with the performing arts department at Truro College, facilitated by an ex-student, is providing students with opportunities to explore different backstage production roles…’

Richard Lander School has 1 Facebook account, a Twitter account and 2 Instagram accounts. Follow @richardlanderschooluk for all our news and follow @richardlanderschoolart for uplifting posts of the very best student artwork and photography, to brighten your day.

Extra curricular music lessons and lunchtime/tutor music clubs take place every day at Richard Lander School.

Extra instrumental or singing lessons are delivered by Cornwall Music Service Trust during the school day. Students can continues lessons from primary school or start something new. At Richard Lander School there is a huge choice of lessons: piano, keyboard, voice, drum kit, percussion, trumpet, cornet, tuba, trombone, euphonium, recorder, clarinet, flute, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, double bass, electric and acoustic guitar.  If your child is interested in extra instrumental or singing lessons, information letters are available at Student Reception or the any music classroom. Timings and pricings can be found at www.cornwallmusicservicetrust.org

Every lunchtime sees the creative arts corridor alive with the sound of music. Students choose between choirs and ensembles, orchestra or jazz band, music theory or rock band practice or many choose to do more than one club.

Becoming a music subject leader is a great way to introduce even more music into a Richard Lander School day. Students join in with at least one music lunch time club and help with primary school events and whole school events.

Our annual KS4 Art and Photography exhibition is an opportunity for parents, carers, staff and students to see the excellent standard of work.

In May 2022,  RLS Productions returned after 2 years of (Covid related) absence to bring delighted audiences C.H.I.P.S. and The Sad Club.

C.H.I.P.S. (City Hall Inclusive Preservation Society), by Simon Harvey, told the tales and rumours of Truro City Hall’s rich history through the eyes of ‘Nigel’ the foreman in charge of demolition of the hall and construction of the new Hall for Cornwall.

This is a quirky, fun and humorous play, which was performed so well by our Year 7 Drama Club, who had been directed by Year 9 Drama Leaders. The audience learned of an embarrassing visit by a member of the royal family which resulted in Truro City Council being sworn to secrecy and a certain door remaining locked for 30 years; that international rock stars—Queen—actually played their first gig at Truro City Hall and that the venue also played a vital part in the suffragist fight for votes for women.

It was fantastic to see our newest students take to the stage with such confidence and skill and wonderful to welcome their families back into school to experience this rich and vital part of the culture here at Richard Lander School.

In May 2022,  RLS Productions returned after 2 years of (Covid related) absence to bring delighted audiences C.H.I.P.S. and The Sad Club.

The Sad Club is a musical by Luke Barnes, about what living in this world stops us being happy and how we might go about tackling those problems. It’s a collection of monologues, songs and duologues from all over time and space.. The music, by Adam Pleeth, is catchy, modern and fantastic. The play was performed in the National Theatre in 2019 and almost certainly would have toured the UK had Covid not intervened.

It was an honour to perform this incredible play and, boy oh boy, did our Key Stage 4 Drama students do it justice. A remarkably talented group of young actors gave both Tuesday and Wednesday night’s performances their all, with perfectly delivered lines with such poignancy and expression, fantastic choreography and powerful singing. Each character was developed and presented so well that you felt as if you knew them. The school band played an incredibly tight, note perfect, set.

After 2 years of lockdown this play resonated deeply with us all with it’s message that ‘you are not alone’ in your fight with mental demons and the whole experience became strangely uplifting, rather than depressing!

Well done to all the cast and crew; our directors—Mrs Charleston / Luc Sykes (The Sad Club), Emily, Freya, Orla and Bethany (C.H.I.P.S.), Miss Foxon & Mr Gibbons(music) Mrs Nortje and Miss McNally (staff production) and  everyone who was involved as actors, musicians, in costume, set, make up design, or as technical support!

Mrs Charleston’s last ever production…

Our wonderful Head of Creative Arts, Mrs Charleston, is leaving us this summer, after over 20 years at Richard Lander School! In that time, she has nurtured so many young actors and directed so many productions including …Midsummer Night’s Dream, Histos do Carnival, Oliver, Big Al, Blood Brothers, West Side Story, Journeys, The Juniper Tree, Bugsy Malone, Alice in Landerland, Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Pan, The Creative Arts Showcase, Annie, Smiley Face, Billy Elliott, Art Happens, and finally this year’s CHIPS and The Sad Club!!

So many of our students list being a part of a school production as in their favourite memories of their time at RLS.

After the final The Sad Club curtain call, some of our finest actors – Luke, Betty, Charlotte and Daisy – stole Mr Holloway’s thunder by jumping in first to express their gratitude to Mrs C, presenting her with a card from the cast, followed up with a huge bunch of flowers and a bottle of bubbly!

Mrs Charleston will obviously be sorely missed but we are so grateful for all she has done for the school and we’ve got her for another ten weeks 🙂 and, of course, we wish her all the very best on her future adventures!