The 16th annual Shakespeare Schools Festival South Africa (SSFSA) returns, showcasing local primary and high schools, along with youth drama groups, in dynamic abridged performances of Shakespeare’s plays. As Africa’s largest youth drama festival, SSFSA has engaged more than 15,000 learners and 1,000 teachers since 2009.

SSFSA continues to be an inclusive and vibrant celebration of theatre, literacy and creativity. More than a performance platform, the festival nurtures literacy, confidence, self-expression and belonging. It welcomes young performers of all abilities, including those who are blind or partially sighted, Deaf or hard of hearing, and those with physical disabilities. Through translated scripts, accessible support and training for teachers and learners, SSFSA creates space for diverse voices and experiences to bring Shakespeare to life.

Wednesday 6 May 2026
• Società Dante Alighieri Cape Town — Romeo and Juliet in Italian
• Pioneer School for the Visually Impaired — Titus Andronicus
• Curro Somerset West — A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Thursday 7 May 2026
• Worcester Gymnasium — As You Like It
• Queen’s Park High School — Hamlet

Friday 8 May 2026
• Evolve Academy — Hamlet
• Blue Moon Montessori School — The Merry Wives of Windsor
• Silvermine Academy — A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Saturday 9 May 2026
• Norman Henshilwood High School — Macbeth
• Paarl School — Merchant of Venice
• Wynberg Boys’ Acting Association — Antony and Cleopatra
• Micklefield School — Romeo and Juliet

Tuesday 12 May 2026
• Leiden High School — Macbeth
• Groote Schuur High School — Comedy of Errors

Wednesday 13 May 2026
• Springfield Convent — Julius Caesar
• Reddam Atlantic Seaboard — The Last Term

Thursday 14 May 2026
• St Cyprian’s School Group One — Much Ado About Nothing
• St Cyprian’s School Group Two — Lear’s Daughters
• St Cyprian’s School Group Three — A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Friday 15 May 2026
• International School of Cape Town — Twelfth Night
• Paarl Girls’ School — A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Paarl Boys’ High School — Comedy of Errors

Saturday 16 May 2026
• Oakley House High School — As You Like It
• Vista Nova High School — Romeo and Juliet
• International School of Cape Town — Twelfth Night
• Oude Molen Technical High School — Macbeth

Tuesday 19 May 2026
• Swartland High School — As You Like It
• Swartland High School — Merry Wives of Windsor
• Swartland High School — Comedy of Errors

Wednesday 20 May 2026
• Herschel Girls School — Macbeth
• Kids Theatre Academy — The Comedy of Errors
• NatureLore — A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Thursday 21 May 2026
• Wynberg Boys’ Junior School — Twelfth Night
• Lalela Cape Town — The Tempest
• South Peninsula High School — Antony and Cleopatra

Friday 22 May 2026
• The Settlers High School — As You Like It
• Reddam House Constantia (HS) — Antony and Cleopatra
• Generations Imhoff Campus — Macbeth

Saturday 23 May 2026
• Westlake Primary School — Romeo and Juliet
• De La Bat School for the deaf — Romeo and Juliet
• Hout Bay International — Coriolanus