The 13th Shakespeare Schools Festival came to a jubilant end on Saturday, May 27, in front of a capacity house at the Homecoming Centre in District Six. This year’s event, directed by Blythe Stuart-Linger, MCed by festival alumnus Tumelo Mohoto and managed by a small crew of nine in front of house and backstage, saw its longest straight run since inception in 2009. Thirty-eight schools and 82 teachers took part with more than 1000 pupils aged between 6 and 18 onstage over the three-week period. The finale night showcased Westlake Primary, Curro Hermanus Independent School and Bay Primary in their very own innovative 30-minute versions of Richard lll, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and As “We” Like It. Overall festival audience numbers attendance topped the 3000-mark and saw several sold out performances. PICTURE: Allison Foat