The Chronicle no. 672

19 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Cast and ProductionTeam Hamlet Max Brennan ( Dragon ) Claudius Laurenz Claas ( Shiplake ) Gertrude Elsa Robinson ( Home-schooled ) Polonius Harry Whattoff ( Stamford ) Laertes Jack Verschoyle ( Lambrook ) Ophelia Lara Paul ( Broomwood Hall ) Horatio Matthew Wilkins ( Cayman Prep and High ) Marcellus Emily Smart ( Broomwood Hall ) Francisco Rosencrantz Honor Allen ( Dragon ) Guildenstern Fergus Flory ( Pilgrims’ ) Fortinbras Sassy Hammersley ( Dragon ) Player King Benjamin Courtney-Guy ( Cheam ) Player Queen Molly Machin ( Marlston House ) Lucianus San Ittipakorn ( d’Overbroecks ) 1st Clown/Grave Digger Christina Kirkham ( Dragon ) 2nd Clown/Grave Digger’s Assistant Valentin Horak ( Albertus Magnus Gymnasium ) Attendant/Courtier/ Ambassador Finn Campbell ( Eaton House The Manor Prep ) Gwendoline Davenport ( International School of Belgrade ) Barnardo Nellie Bates ( The Brigidine )

Director Katrina Eden Designer Rosie Motion Composer and Sound Design Jonathan Keeley

Production Manager and Lighting Design Clive Stevenson Assistant Directors Lauren Mackrell and David Aldred Stage Manager Rebecca Welburn Production Electrician Will Webb ( Dragon ) Lighting Operator Thomas Glover ( Fulham Prep ) Sound Operator Max Hinton ( Dragon ) Cast photos Will Webb ( Dragon )

The History of Hamlet at Teddies By Nick Quartley, former Manager of The North Wall The last production of Hamlet at St Edward’s was in 1979 (when it was still an all-boys’ school). The director was Simon Taylor and the Hamlet was Roger Wood (now a professional actor, stage name Roger Moss). There were 40 in the cast: 36 male, 4 female (one adult and three girls from local schools). It was performed exactly 100 years after the School’s first play production in 1879. The only other Teddies Hamlet production I know of was in 1899, directed by WHA Cowell, in which the part of Ophelia was cut entirely, presumably because none of the boys were up to it! I believe Cowell may have directed one other Hamlet production in his 50 years at the school - again without an Ophelia! Between 1879 and 1930 all school plays were Shakespearian.