Felsted was privileged to be able to perform ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’ to honour and pay respects to the 258 Old Felstedians, Masters and staff who fought and lost their lives from 1914 to 1918. 
The production, with a huge cast of 40 pupils and directed by Dr Charles Lee, Head of Drama, counterpoints brutal facts and statistics with the jaunty tunes the soldiers sang as they marched, including well known tunes such as ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’.
Esteemed London Theatre Director Max-Stafford Clark, Patron of Drama at Felsted and former Felstedian commended the whole cast and crew for their tremendous interpretation of the play. He has put his name to a yearly award for best pupil performance, which this year he presented to Sophie Wise, for her performance playing a British Admiral.
Mike Beale, Felsted Parent and Head of International Formats at ITV London also picked Sophie as a star performer, “Every time Sophie came on stage there was a sense of energy about her, she listened to others and always gave a performance.”
Pupils from Takeley Primary School were invited to watch the dress rehearsal. In a thank you letter to Head of Drama one pupil wrote “it was amazing and very exciting to be in a real theatre”.
As part of the Remembrance centenary week the School community commemorated with a memorable and moving Service in the School Chapel. An evocative speech was given by guest speaker, Rupert Shelley of the Titus Trust and former serving officer in the Royal Green Jackets. The Act of Remembrance included a historic reading of the Roll of Honour of the 258 Felsted Fallen from the First World War. Two minutes of silent reflection followed featuring a dramatic and symbolic flight of 258 poppies from the ceiling of the Chapel, to represent the 258 OF casualties of the war. Please click here to read more.
Year 5 pupils from the Preparatory School also got involved by writing a small poem, as part of National Poetry Day 2014, illustrating poignant life moments. Each pupil was asked to write down their most treasured memories in life, helping them to understand the important role of memory in relation to Remembrance Day.
