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ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
The North Wall underwent a dramatic
transformation for last term’s school play,
Katrina Eden’s slick and spirited
re-working of Shakespeare’s
Hamlet.
It was only the third time in 150 years
that pupils from St Edward’s had taken
on Shakespeare’s longest play, and the
cast proved that they were more than
capable of rising to the challenge. From
the moment the lights went up on Rosie
Motion’s set (an austere palette of grey
stone and mirrored surfaces) the audience
were transported to Elsinor castle.
Overwhelmed with grief following
the death of his father, and the perceived
betrayal by his mother, Queen Gertrude
(a graceful and dignified Elsa Robinson),
Hamlet embarks on a quest for revenge,
with tragic consequences. Max Brennan’s
portrayal of the eponymous Danish prince
was imbued with youthful angst and
gallows humour as he plots to orchestrate
a “mousetrap” to reveal the truth - much
to the consternation of the befuddled
Polonius (Harry Whattoff, lending a dash
of levity to the role) and his murderous
uncle, Claudius (a stoic Laurenz Claas).
The second half was altogether darker
than the first, focusing on Hamlet’s
murder of Polonius, and Ophelia’s
subsequent descent into madness.
Lara Paul’s powerful performance as
Shakespeare’s tragic heroine emphasised
the character’s vulnerability, her love
for Hamlet turning into confusion when
he spurns her affections. Her death by
drowning was a heart-breaking moment:
the usually offstage scene played out on
the balcony whilst Gertrude revealed the
news to the court.
As audience members in the front
few rows can attest, the final duel
between Hamlet and Laertes (Jack
Verschoyle) allowed the actors to
exhibit some astonishingly accomplished
swordsmanship. The final scene, where
Matthew Wilkins’ grief-stricken Horatio
cradles the deceased Hamlet at the front
of the stage, was a genuinely moving and
poignant end to the proceedings.
Throughout the play, the talents of
The North Wall’s technical team were on
full display, from the visual wizardry that
brought the ghost of Hamlet’s father to
life (with voice cameo from the Drama
Department’s own Mr Aldred) to the
haunting music underscoring the entire
production, composed by Jonathan
Keeley. Special mention must also be
made of the supporting cast, with brilliant
performances from Christina Kirkham as
the Grave Digger, Sassy Hammersley as
Fortinbras, and Honor Allen and Fergus
Flory as Rosencrantz and Guildernstern.
It was a spectacular staging, and all
involved should feel a great sense of
achievement for their efforts. On this
occasion, the play was very much the
thing!
By Amy Walters, Theatre and Marketing Manager, The North Wall
Hamlet