The quality of acting was not strained at Putney High School – even when it continued back-to-back for a 12 hour Shakespeare marathon
A cast of almost 100 students, staff and parents took to the stage to perform some of the Bard’s best loved plays, all in aid of charity.
The school came together to enact six plays including Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest and Othello. Performances continued for an impressive 12 hours with contributions ranging from a few fairy lines in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Year 7 to Shakespeare’s great tragic characters played by members of Year 11 and the Sixth Form - some of whom performed in all six plays.
One member of the audience said, “One of the best things was seeing so many different people on stage at once, all taking it seriously, and many of them costumed up and clutching swords, poison, letters, rings and magic flowers as appropriate. Juliets came in their ball dresses. Prospero brought his staff. People were willing to throw themselves into it, and did not stop to feel embarrassed. It felt like a giant family performance... six times over!”
Proceeds will go to Amazing Children Uganda, a charity founded in 2007 to provide educational scholarships for children and young people living or working on the streets of Uganda. The charity’s aim is to give each child the chance to escape from poverty, fulfil their potential, transform their lives and take their place in society. Putney High School’s money will contribute to the summer programme for those children who remain on the streets, waiting for a school place.
The school now looks forward to the Shakespeare Schools Festival, later this month.