About Drama Darlings

Founded in 2010 in South Africa, Drama Darlings began as a pioneering children’s theatre company, offering immersive theatre experiences that sparked young imaginations and made learning an adventure. As a successful theatre-in-education company, we toured throughout the country, bringing curriculum-based plays to schools and communities, using drama to make learning interactive, engaging, and fun.

When our work expanded to the United Kingdom, we continued our mission in schools, public libraries, and businesses, crafting bespoke workshops that aligned with specific topics and curricula. A highlight was our collaboration with Birmingham Library for the National Summer Reading Challenge, where we inspired children to engage with literature through drama. In 2016, we were honored to work with schools in Stratford-upon-Avon, the hometown of William Shakespeare, creating a series of drama workshops to commemorate 400 years since his death. In addition to these workshops, we wrote and directed school plays, involving students, teachers, and the wider community in meaningful, creative productions.

Today, Drama Darlings continues its journey in Europe, particularly in Portugal, where we have facilitated numerous drama workshops that bring language and curriculum to life. Our workshops use theatre games, improvisation, and drama techniques to create an immersive learning experience, making us a trusted partner for schools and educators looking to enhance students’ English language skills and boost their confidence.

With over two decades of experience in theatre and education, we’ve had the privilege of watching children and young people transform on stage—gaining not only language skills but also creativity, confidence, and a passion for learning.

At Drama Darlings, we believe that drama is a powerful tool for education, and we are dedicated to creating workshops and plays that inspire, engage, and teach in a way that no textbook can.

Our Mission

To use the transformative power of theatre to enhance language learning, encourage creativity, and make education an exciting, immersive experience for students of all ages.

Our History

  • 2010: Founded in South Africa as a children’s theatre company.
  • 2014: Expanded to the UK, with notable workshops for the National Summer Reading Challenge.
  • 2016: Developed Shakespeare-themed workshops in Stratford-upon-Avon to mark 400 years since his death.
  • Present: Operating across Europe, with a focus on creating drama workshops and plays for Portuguese students learning English.
Let’s turn your curriculum into an interactive, dynamic experience!

About Candace

Candace’s love for theatre began at the age of 3, and she hasn’t looked back since. Trained in acting and improvisation with Patricia Bowker for over a decade, Candace earned awards for solo performance before studying at both the University of Cape Town and the University of Stellenbosch.

In 2010, Candace founded Drama Darlings, a children’s theatre company in South Africa, touring plays and creating immersive theatrical experiences. Her passion for Applied Drama took her to the U.K., where she worked with schools, libraries, and private businesses to deliver curriculum-based workshops that brought learning to life. In 2016, she helped mark 400 years since Shakespeare’s death with bespoke workshops in Stratford-upon-Avon and has been specialising in Shakespeare since then.

Candace’s teaching experience spans English, Theatre, and Global Perspectives across international, private, and government schools in Lisbon. She has also taught Business English to multinational companies, including CEOs and CFOs, helping professionals hone their communication skills.

When not working, Candace enjoys writing poetry, reading, and creating cyanotypes, always finding new ways to express her creativity.

Candace ran drama based English language learning workshops at our summer camp. The children loved the improvisations and gained alot of confidence from the workshops. We look forward to working with her again in the future.

Luisa, Language School Director, Portugal