Highgate pupils took to the stage in Edinburgh as part of the world-famous Fringe Festival this summer, with a sold-out production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and a two-hander written by Y13 pupil, Isla, called Forget-Me-Nots.
After months of preparation, pupils and teachers from the Drama department travelled up together during August, excited to join artists from around the globe in this iconic celebration of creativity and culture.
Highgate’s trip to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe every two years (on rotation with the School Musical) is a popular feature of the ambitious Drama department. For each visit, pupils prepare a Shakespeare production alongside a new piece of writing.
This year’s offering from Isla in Y13 was a highly imaginative two-hander, directed by director-in-residence Simon Schatzberger, that dealt sensitively with the themes of love and loss. Forget-Me-Nots was originally written for the National Theatre’s New Views competition, and Isla wrote an extended version for the Fringe performances and also acted one of the roles. The production also gave opportunities for Y13s Amy and Audrey to create original stage designs and to stage manage the show, under the supervision of Ms Sloan.
Audiences responded enthusiastically to Isla’s play, with one person saying “I was blown away that this was one of the actor’s first written and performed play. The dialogue came across as real, honest and connected with the audience. We laughed, we cried! The two actors performed it brilliantly.” Another audience member added how “incredibly moving and beautiful” it was.
Y13 pupil Zeph, who was part of the Forget-Me-Nots cast, reflected on their experience, saying: “It has been a great opportunity, both the process of making our own play and also to be influenced by the amazing variety of shows at the Fringe.”
Highgate’s double-bill included a cross-cast, high energy adaptation of Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy, Hamlet. Audiences enthused about the production, saying: “This was superb. What an incredibly talented group of young actors working beautifully together!”
One press reviewer described it as a “must-see Shakespeare at the fringe”, noting that “The whole cast was fantastic, with each performer demonstrating their own individual talent while also forming a cohesive and dynamic ensemble. The comedy within the play was well executed every time – an element in Hamlet that is often overlooked.”
An audience member said they found it “extremely enjoyable – pacy and intelligent – an impressive hour-long Hamlet!”
Tim Hyam, Drama Teacher and co-ordinator of the Edinburgh Fringe project, enthused saying: “The pupils did themselves proud! It was a joy to see them respond so brilliantly to the challenges of putting on shows at the Fringe. I am so pleased that, as well as performing in the shows every day, they were able to sample the rich cultural experience on offer.”
Juliet Fehr, Director of Drama and Theatre Studies, added: “All in all, a creative, collaborative and inspiring week that showcased the skills of some of our most dramatically talented pupils!”
