900th Anniversary Drama Performance - Alma Mater

Alma Mater, which ran from 30 June to 3 July 2025, was a truly unforgettable highlight of our anniversary year — celebrating the people, stories, and traditions that continue to shape Reading School.

Audiences were taken on a journey through time in this original and immersive promenade performance, written and directed by award-winning theatre-maker and Head of Drama, Benedict Sandiford.

Performed across the historic grounds of Reading School, Alma Mater followed The Oldest Boy as he explored nine centuries of the School’s legacy. Along the way, audiences encountered key moments and colourful characters from our past — from medieval scholars and war heroes to former Headmasters and unforgettable local legends.

Blending drama, humour, and heart, the production brought the School’s rich history to life in unexpected and moving ways.

‘Fantastic. A huge insight into the whole building and history that's dominated this whole area for so long. As ever with any of Ben Sandiford’s plays’, the juxtaposition between the poignant and the comedy is second to none. I mean, you've got a roller coaster of everything through the ages of Reading School. It was fantastic. Phenomenal. Absolutely perfect.’

'I’ve been walking past this building for 20 years not really knowing what's inside and today I was able to walk through it, to learn about its history and a bit of Latin! That was really, really good, really fun, really entertaining, engaging. It was great. Floreat Redingensis!’

Monday 30th June 2025 - Thursday 3rd July 2025