Transcript of Aberdare Leader Report
April 21st, 1906
Aberdare County School.
PERFORMANCE OF “TWELFTH NIGHT.”
The pupils of the Aberdare County School performed Shakepeare’s [sic] “Twelfth Night” last Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the school.
Last year they gave another of Shakepeare’s [sic] comedies, “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and their presentation of it was favourably compared by Mr. Jenkyn Thomas, the late head-master, with the Adelphi Theatre production, which means that the Aberdare County School performance reached a very high standard indeed.
“Twelfth Night,” one of the very finest of Shakespeare’s comedies, was likewise well presented.
The dramatis personae was as follows:
Duke Orsino (in love with Olivia), Dd. Roderick.
Curio and Valentine (servants of Orsino), Peter Halewood and Finlay Macgillivray.
Sir Toby Belch (uncle to Countess Olivia), Trevor Williams.
Sir Andrew Aguecheek (a foolish knight, suitor of Olivia), E. Griffiths.
Malvolio (steward to Olivia), W. J. Jones.
Fabian and Clown (servants to Olivia), Owen Evans and Morley Griffiths.
A Sea Captain (friend to Viola), Jack David.
Antonio, a Sea Captain (friend to Sebastian), Brinley Reynolds.
Sebastian (a young gentleman, brother to Olivia), Mabel Giles.
Friar, D. J. Jones.
1st Officer, J. David.
2nd Officer, F. Macgillivray.
Countess Olivia (a rich heiress), Sophie Davies-Jones.
Viola (sister to Sebastian, in love with Orsino), Teggie Williams.
Maria (Olivia’s Maid), Lizzie Parfitt.
1st Lord, G. R. Jones.
2nd Lord, Daniel Davies.
1st Sailor, B. Pugh.
2nd Sailor, S. C. Lewis.
Attendants, I. Price and M. George.
With the exception of Morley Griffiths and W. J. Jones, the whole caste was made up of present scholars of the County School.
The piece was staged with that elaborateness which characterises our big theatres. The costumes, which had been supplied by Mr. Andrews, of the New Theatre, were exceedingly beautiful, and imparted an additional charm to the production. The scenery also had been wisely selected for the piece.
For the acting, we have nothing but enthusiastic praise, and judging by the rapt attention and the hearty laughter and applause of the audiences, everybody was more than pleased.
The whole company deserve the highest encomiums for their meritorious interpretation of this comedy. Their tutors—Mr. W. C. Cox, M.A., headmaster; Mr. Sladen, Mr. Rees Williams, B.Sc., Miss Morris, and Miss Phillips—had done their part of the work in a thorough manner.
Most of the County School Governors were present.
The secretarial duties were in the capable hands of Mr. Ogwen Williams, F.R.G.S.