Kirin Ranpura( K, 22-) lights a cake with 462 candles
The Wykehamist
Shakespeare’ s Birthday
Kirin Ranpura( K, 22-) lights a cake with 462 candles
One of our oldest societies, SROGUS( the Shakespeare Reading Orpheus Glee United Society) gathered in QEII on St George’ s Day, April 23 2026 to celebrate Shakespeare’ s birthday for the third time in the last three years. A group of dedicated actors gave powerful performances, with NGK, charged with running the evening, claiming happily that Shakespeare would have done whatever‘ the opposite of turning in his grave would be.’ Whilst it was to the audience’ s great delight and acclaim that many dons took to the stage, it was particularly heartening to see younger pupils express love for their favourite plays.
Alexander Varouxakis Thomas( E, 21-) Sonnets 15 & 65 Alexander’ s performance displayed, most notably, his admirable ability to draw the audience in. His voice— low, hushed and powerful— was received with such warmth and smooth attention that it set a strong tone for the rest of the evening.
EACR, As You Like It Many will agree that, somehow, EACR is mesmerising in his movements even when he is not on stage. He is a natural storyteller. His tonality conveyed a sense of rolling rhythm throughout the piece. Occasional pauses were extended, creating the slightly surreal effect of making one feel as though the audience members were stood quivering on a tightrope, waiting to retain their balance and move onwards.
Edwin Humphreys( Coll, 24-), Julius Caesar Edwin’ s presence filled the stage with a scene we could picture vividly. His dynamism and physicality painted vivid pictures in our minds, as if he was taking us to a place that he genuinely enjoyed visiting. It is no small feat to truly embody a fictional character, and yet, Edwin, shaking with the emotion of his own words, took to this task well.
RRN, Richard II The highly rhythmic and bubbling energy of RRN gave the impression of a well-seasoned actor, certainly someone who understands Shakespeare very well. He held himself remarkably, and the apparent delight he took in delivering his scene was infectious. We were taken on a journey, and were very grateful for it.
Max Lee( Coll:, 23-) & Xander Sharrocks( Coll:, 22-), Antony and Cleopatra Albeit at late notice, Xander stepped up to the stage with remarkable comfort and ease. The strength of Max’ s characteristic voice and posturing was highly commendable. Both of them managed to make Shakespeare’ s lines sound natural— an impressive achievement— and the audience evidently delighted in what was built between the two throughout the piece. Max’ s final speech was phenomenal. His line‘ O women, women’ and subsequent collapse on the floor left the audience shook and in awe.
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