There were fireworks in the state of Denmark on 5th November, when 16 of Crompton House’s finest actors took to the stage at Manchester’s Contact theatre to perform Hamlet in the Shakespeare Schools Festival. And they were magnificent. Don’t just take my word for it, a member of the audience email the school to say “Superb Hamlet at the Shakespeare Schools Festival tonight. I’m a retired teacher and keen theatregoer and I’ve seen two evenings this week and several in past years. Your Hamlet was most distinguished. Excellent individual performances but also great team work and a very imaginative approach. Congratulations to all involved!”
The adjudicator at the theatre was also fulsome in his praise: “There were so many layers in this production, this was atmospheric and polished. The opening scene was tightly choreographed, and Ophelia’s drowning was very memorable. The tearing of Hamlet’s shirt was also very effective. A fabulous ensemble performance.”
The audience were spell-bound right from the start with a brilliant choice of music to accompany the opening scene, and despite Shakespeare’s longest play being condensed into 30 minutes, the story was clear and imaginatively told. Many congratulations to all the very talented actors from Years 10 to 13 and to director Mrs Sargent, who has just ended her maternity leave teaching contract. Mrs Sargent started her Shakespeare Schools Festival ten years at Crompton House with Hamlet at the Oldham Coliseum. We wish her all the best as she returns to university to study for an MA.
We all look forward to the next school production, the comedy musical “The Little Shop of Horrors”, in February 2016.
