B35218 – Mick Fleetwood Kings School Hamlet Programme 1962 (UK)

A 4 page programme from the King’s School Dramatic Society production of Hamlet from March 1962.  In the programme Michael Fleetwood is listed as playing Ophelia, daughter to Polonius.  The programme comes with a typed note which reads as follows:

“Michael went to Kings School, Sherborne, Gloucestershire as a young teenager.  It was an all boys school.

My father taught him and he was already known for his creative talents.  The school was located in an Elizabethan House and grounds and a fitting setting for yearly Shakespeare productions.  In the spirit of Shakespearean times the books took on all the roles.

This is the programme of the March 1962 production of Hamlet and Michael was cast as Ophelia

During the production his father was so shocked to see him acting a female part he immediately removed him from the school”

Mick mentions the school and the performance in an interview with Cornwall Life magazine:

‘I was into drama too and when I was boarding at Sherborn School I got a part in the school production of Hamlet- I was cast as Ophelia, a young Danish noblewoman. It was a boys’ school so any female parts had to be played by lads. There I was, tall for my age and with a hint of a stubble, trying to be taken seriously as Ophelia!’

The programme measures 16cm x 21cm (6.25 inches x 8.25 inches). There is a tear measuring approx. 4cm (1.5 inches running throughout the programme.  The condition is very good.