Ian McKellen Reports from
Summer Camp in Stratford
The Boltonian
1956
To contradict the guide-books, disillusion the Americans, and state
the obvious, every wall in Stratford-upon-Avon is not half-timbered, nor is
every roof thatched. The people there have modern lives to live and
earnings to gain. Thus the large cattle market meets weekly,
attracting farmers from the neighbouring slopes of the smooth Cotswolds.
The gas works and the general hospital stand as huge Victorian sentinels of
the tiny railway station. A cinema and fish-and-chip shop (bar or
saloon) are nearby. The latest addition to these giant anachronisms is
an "American Coffee Bar" for the Stratford townsfolk (returning, possibly,
their compliment of "English Tea-rooms" for the American visitors!).
It was in this colourful establishment that some Bolton Schoolboys
were to be seen and heard on the wetter days of one week last July.
They were members of the annual Stratford Camp for Sixth Formers, sited as
usual in a grassy meadow bordering the Avon.
This year the camp of about twenty boys was led by Mr W. E. Brown and
Mr A. Birch. The four plays we were to see at the Shakespeare Memorial
Theatre were Hamlet, Othello, The Merchant of Venice
and Love's Labour's Lost. Whilst few were entirely satisfied
with these productions we are all grateful to the organizers of the camp for
allowing us the opportunity of seeing them. Our thanks are also
extended to Sergeant Best, who cooked the meals.
Much, indeed too much, has been written about Stratford. Some have
referred to "the Shrine"; sentimentalists to the "Heart of England"; and
(most amusing of all) that American, Calvin Hoffman, has talked of "enemy
territory"! To the Bolton School campers who annually take advantage
of its hospitality, Stratford has become a synonym for enjoyment.
After the stickiness of the examination room comes the fresh air; "green
papers" become the green leaves of the Warwickshire countryside; and, more
important, the Shakespeare of set books comes alive in the mouths of the
actors of the Memorial Theatre. -- Ian McKellen, Autumn 1956
1957
The annual Senior Stratford Camp was held this year two months later
than usual. The party of twenty-seven, led by Mr Sawtell and Mr Greene, was
thus able to see performances of all the Memorial Theatre's repertoire:
The Tempest, As You Like It, Julius Caesar, King John
and Cymbeline. Sergeant Best cooked most expertly.
-- Ian McKellen, Autumn 1957
Directed by Trevor Nunn
WORLD TOUR
July-October 2007
LONDON
Limited run begins 12 November 2007
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Souvenir Programme, Stratford 1956
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