Latymer Upper School Play Deals with 'Experiment in Friendship'


Work by former pupil looks at the historic connection with a German school


Fred, Jack and Gilbert in dress rehearsal

March 3, 2024

This Friday 8 and Saturday 9 March, students from Latymer Upper School will be performing Love. Liebe. Lyubov. at Richmond Theatre.

The play by playwright, actor and Latymerian Ruby Thomas deals with one of the most inspirational periods in the school’s history and the performances form part of a calendar of events celebrating 400 years of education at Latymer.

The production looks at the relationship between Latymer Upper School and the Johanneum in Hamburg which grew out of the aftermath of World War II and remains active 75 years on.

On being commissioned to write the play, Ruby Thomas said, “When Justin Joseph, Head of Drama, came to me with the idea of writing a play to celebrate Latymer’s 400th Anniversary, I felt a sense of trepidation. Spending time deepening my understanding of the relationship between these schools has genuinely changed my attitude to what embracing difference looks like. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to write about this pioneering ‘experiment in friendship’.

She says Latymer students have embraced the complex structure of the play, bringing humour, drama and sensitivity to their performances and the story; encapsulating the spirit of inclusivity, kindness and respect on which the school was founded 400 years ago.

Tickets from £10 can be purchased here.

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