Finding Mat Finderling - Celebrating the School’s History

Finding Mat Finderling CELEBRATION OF THE SCHOOL’S HISTORY

One Sunday in May, families, pupils, and staff gathered at the School for an immersive, theatrical experience exploring the history of King Edward’s. The initial idea was imagined in 2020 by Mrs Caroline Shouksmith, Head of Art. Working closely with Mrs Lynsey Cleaves, Director of Drama, the duo breathed life into this unique concept.

The event, which involved a wide number of pupils, was a rich collaboration between our Art, Drama, English, Music, and Sport Departments. The production was inspired by the story of a young boy named Mat Finderling who was abandoned on a doorstep and raised by nuns before joining King Edward’s in 1904.

According to Mat’s school report, he was “high spirited, a nice lad but troublesome”. He joined the Royal Navy and died in his twenties while at his post on board the ship HMS Minto in World War I. Reviewing historical documents held in the School’s archives, pupils were able to learn what life was like over 100 years ago at the School, and for Mat specifically.

The audience was led by costumed tour guides through magical locations around the School grounds and buildings, while enjoying dance, drama, film, art, writing to complete the immersive theatre experience. The talented cast were superb in bringing some of the unique history of our School, with its ancient religious and royal foundation, to life.

Passing a working steam engine with historic re-enactors aboard, guests were directed to the Selborne Room, where they were welcomed with refreshments and a piano recital. Here the audience was met by their tour guides. Dressed in a spectacular array of costumes spanning the history of the School, from 1553 to the modern day, the tour guides led their groups around the campus providing expert guidance and information about the history of the buildings and the people who have spent their lives within her walls.

The story played out via the following scenes:

Bridewell Room: Drama performance

- The Bridewell Room is filled with antiques and pictures from the School’s past. The audience met a merry band of players whose comedy performance gave insight into the lives of pupils in the early 1900’s at King Edward’s. The audience had a chance to learn what pupils ate, drank, studied, and wore. There was audience participation and a rock number to end!

QMH Lawn: Sports re-enactment - On the lawn the audience were confronted by a fierce teacher from the Edwardian era and watched pupils enduring a games session with strict rules. This ended in a tug of war and some healthy competition between parents in the audience!

South Side: ‘Snips and Snobs’ a performance art

installation - Ghostly shadows shifted on a dark up-lit stairwell – cast from a suspended installation of Edwardian postcards written by pupils in English lessons. A cord was pulled, and cards fluttered down to be taken away. Tales unfolded of trades that boys once undertook – ‘Snips’ were tailors, ‘Snobs’ were bootmakers. From the art room a haunting melody could be heard of young Mat humming a tune whilst tailoring. A lone hammock swung in the smoky darkness beside him, hinting at the previous life of the room as Dormitory 1.

Charter Hall: Dance through the ages - In a fabulously choreographed set our talented dance team wove their way through the decades showing how music and dance had evolved from 1553 to now. The dance troupe wore a recreation of the 1900’s naval uniform once worn in the School.

Studio Theatre: Film - A mini movie, accompanied by mini boxes of popcorn, played out on the cinema screen. The film depicted the beginning of Mat Finderling’s life and his early days at King Edward’s Witley.

Ancient Tree: ‘Trees have ears’ - Beneath the canopy of an ancient tree slung with multiple speakers, the audience listened to tales of former pupils recalling their memories of King Edward’s. It was an exceptional opportunity to listen to how the school has changed over the last century.

The Quad: ‘Grand Finale’ - The audience gathered around the statue of King Edward to hear a poem that ties our School’s rich history with the present and looks to the future.

The evening was a wonderful success and would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of our staff and pupils who worked tirelessly to bring the whole evening together. It is hoped that the performance will be repeated every 4 years allowing new stories to emerge and for all members of the School to have the chance to experience the School’s history in this entertaining theatrical form.