The Wykehamist
Shakespeare’ s Birthday
To mark Shakespeare’ s 461st Birthday, the drama department put on a spectacular event. Organised by NGK on a cool spring evening, the stage was set, and the lights were dimmed.
To get the show running NGK himself gave a monologue from Henry V,‘ O for a Muse of fire’. This rousing chorus was the perfect recipe to ease the crowd into the eventful evening; NGK’ s expressive character and calculated tone was shown here in all its glory as he ended the monologue calmly, setting the stage seamlessly for what was to come …
Edwin Humphrey’ s( Coll:, 2024-) Hal( Henry IV Part II) speech, a coldhearted but resolute monologue that characterised Hal’ s restrained character, preceded the contrastingly grief-laden Constance( King John) performed splendidly by Anna Matthews( G, 2024-) who managed to carry across some of Constance’ s anger and sarcasm. What followed was a textbook performance of Richard’ s monologue from AGH from Richard II which dramatized the key points for the psychological collapse of Richard and set the standard for the rest of the evening.
Imogen Millar( F, 2023-) was next with a speech from Twelfth Night delivered in the script by Viola, Imogen was very able of balancing Viola’ s initial confusion with her witty humour, topped off by her closing melancholy, a blend captured by Imogen in this performance. After that was Johnny Wyatt( C, 2021-) with a speech by Rosalind in As You Like It, a highly theatrical performance where Johnny embraced Rosalind’ s comic irony.
What came next was what the audience would describe as the funniest performance of the night, maybe even“ the funniest thing ever seen in QEII”. RJHM and LJQ’ s rendition of the daft Pyramus and Thisbe from A Midsummer Night’ s Dream sent the crowd into hysterics, with the two quite literally stooped over the top of one another at points, as well as impeccable choice of costume.
This was a tall task to follow, but Max Lee( Coll:, 2023-) took to the stage with one of Innogen’ s monologues in Cymbeline, contrasting the previous act brilliantly with her deep feelings of betrayal and heartbreak. This was followed by Abir Bordia( I, 2023-) with Edmund’ s speech from King Lear, where he expressed Edmund’ s ambitious nature very convincingly. The third don act was performed by APD who did the opening soliloquy by Richard( Richard III) –‘ Now is the winter of our discontent,’ he began, once again embracing his theatrical side and showing Richard’ s charismatic but cold delivery.
Edwin Fletcher( E, 2020-) succeeded Abir with the first of three monologues from Romeo and Juliet, starting with Mercutio’ s playful speech that embodied Mercutio’ s general swagger and humour. Edwin chose the first quarto version. Second came George Sinclair’ s( Coll:, 2024-) rendition of Romeo’ s speech beginning“ But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?” This monologue contrasted well to the previous one, where George captured Romeo’ s emotional intensity. The third and final speech from Romeo and Juliet was a Juliet speech given by Poppy Clarke, beginning“ Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.” Continuing the intensity of George’ s monologue Poppy conveyed Juliet’ s fear and emotion that was enough to turn the audience to silence.
IEF added to the many dons performing this evening with Othello’ s speech which starts“ Soft you. A word or two before you go.”, which was a roller coaster of dynamics and changes in emotion before a peaceful and captivating resolution at the end. A moment of reflection then came from ISW who performed Sonnet 29, taking us through a journey of emotion, starting with despair and ending with joy. Next
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