Upper School Play - Hamlet

This week, Alleyn’s Upper School wrapped up its highly anticipated production of Hamlet, directed by Alleyn’s Director of Drama Mr. Piper and performed with talent, sensitivity, and passion by Alleyn’s students from Years 12 and 13.  

After months of preparation, the curtains have fallen on this ambitious and captivating interpretation of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, accompanied by an original score written and performed by Alleyn’s students and with a dramatic traverse stage setting, which brought an intense intimacy and personality to one of the Bard’s greatest works. 

One of the standout features of this production was the inclusion of three Hamlets—a bold and exciting choice that added a unique energy to the performance, and the opportunity to delve into the internal conflicts that beset Hamlet throughout the play. With three of our most experienced drama students portraying the same character, the production offered a layered and dynamic portrayal of the troubled prince.  

This Hamlet production was an aesthetic and sensory feast, combining dynamic performances with stunning designs and live music. The cast and crew poured their hearts into creating a performance that was both thought-provoking and visually stunning.  

“It was an intense weekend for the team, working phenomenally hard to bring this vision to life,” said Mr. Piper. “The team managed hundreds of lighting cues, multiple sound elements, and everything that goes into making such a complex production come together.” 

Behind the scenes, our technical team of students worked tirelessly, setting up traverse staging, managing 12 radio mic channels, designing intricate lighting cues, and coordinating two live bands. We were treated to scenes of elaborate banquets, gorgeously decadent costumes, and a dramatic backdrop of dead flowers, all contributing to the gothic atmosphere of the play 

Watch our actors talk about the inspiration and motivation behind their characters. 

With the show now complete, Hamlet has been celebrated as a powerful exploration of themes of betrayal, madness, and existential angst. The performances, set against the stunning visual backdrop and enhanced by live music, truly brought Shakespeare’s masterpiece to life. 

For anyone who missed out on seeing Hamlet this time around, be sure to keep an eye out for future productions and for our Hamlet video coming soon!