For this term’s production of Hamlet in the Ryan Theatre, a company of boys drawn from all year groups was joined by girls from Latymer Upper School. Shakespeare’s most famous play – about a young man struggling to find his place in a world seemingly losing its morals – felt particularly of the moment in Dr Bratten’s lucid production, but also universal in its themes. There was a building energy and intensity to the performance that was thrilling to behold. Jack Firoozan gave an outstanding performance in the title role. His Hamlet had complete clarity, and total conviction. His delivery of the lines allowed us into the mind of this complex character at every moment. Moody lighting, atmospheric soundscapes and stylish scenic design, ably realised by a superb technical crew, brought a further level of vitality and dynamism to the production, which nonetheless retained the play’s complexity, ambiguity and indeed humour. In the School’s long standing tradition of performing Shakespeare, this production set a real benchmark.