Expelled: A play

Expelled is a powerful and timely piece of theatre. Rosalind Butler tackles urgent issues such as rape culture in all-boys schools, the enabling of harmful behaviour by families and institutions, and the devastating consequences of placing status and success above the wellbeing of children. The play beautifully portrays the tensions between justice, loyalty, reputation and truth. Rooted in a distinctly South African reality, the play is both compelling and unsettling, raising important questions that demand reflection and conversation that stays with you.

A matric schoolboy’s viral scandal at an elite school ignites a digital wildfire, shattering his powerful family in the ruthless world of social media.

Expelled is an award-winning drama-comedy that unfolds over an explosive week in a privileged South African family.
Lou and Rich have staked everything on their son Alex: he has a place at an elite boys’ school, is popular and on the first rugby team. His status seems untouchable until a reckless moment with the wrong friends is caught on camera and goes viral.

Overnight, reputations shatter, secrets erupt and the family fractures.Teenage impulsiveness spirals into betrayal, social media chaos and wrenching choices – where career, status and business deals outweigh parental loyalty.
With razor-sharp dialogue, punchy scenes, and innovative multimedia projections, Expelled delivers a fast, easy-to-stage takedown of toxic masculinity and entitlement in elite schools. It explores the terror of a viral moment and the desperate drive to protect the perfect image. Darkly funny one minute, heartbreaking the next, it’s a story that every teenager, parent and teacher will recognise.