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The Rose & Portcullis Emanuel School Alumni Magazine 2020
OEs under the
S POT L I G H T Many OEs have appeared on stage, worked in theatre, or behind the scenes.This article takes a broad chronological sweep, referencing both household and lesser known names.
Leslie Henson (OE190306) was undoubtedly Emanuel’s first superstar. He had his first taste of the stage in the New Hall (now the Concert Hall) and ultimately entertained royalty in a career which took in theatre, comedy, musicals, panto and film. In his autobiography Leslie noted that, in the days of boarding, the strict Reverend Headmaster frowned upon drama being practiced on a Sunday so they had a lookout positioned when they were rehearsing to trick him into thinking they were singing hymns! Sir Alfred Butt (OE1891-94), a close contemporary of Henson’s, rose from humble beginnings to become a pivotal figure in the theatre world and managing director of The Adelphi, Empire, and Gaiety theatres and owner of others. Sir Alfred had a colourful career; he was MP for Balham, awarded a Knighthood for his services in World War One where he was Director of Food
Rationing and enjoyed a very successful 50-year career as horse owner and breeder. After Henson had exited stage left, John Gover (OE194148) became Emanuel’s top West End performer, appearing in shows stretching five decades. Best known for his rich baritone voice, his credits included Zuleika, The Love Doctor and Oh,What a Lovely War!. Swapping the stage for the big screen, Gover also played opposite Madonna and Antonio Banderas in the flop Evita. Eddie Elliott (OE1995-2002) is a modern equivalent, appearing in shows across the UK including Spamilton: an American Parody, Motown and We Will Rock You. He has come a long way from playing the cowardly lion in a school production of The Wizard of Oz.
Performing is only one cog in the wheel which makes the theatre tick. NF ‘Wally’ Simpson (OE1930-37), who wrote One Way Pendulum and A Resounding Tinkle, remains
our most distinguished playwright. His work influenced Monty Python and is frequently revived. In 2010, after a long retirement, Wally made a surprise return with If So,Then Yes, which was his first new work in decades. Its run at the Jermyn Theatre made Simpson the second oldest playwright to have a new work performed in the West End. When Wally was happily retired and living on his barge in the Home Counties, Steve Gooch (OE1956-63) announced his arrival with Female Transport (1974) which was staged hundreds of times over the subsequent decades. The majority of Gooch’s 40-odd plays have been performed in independent venues, but in 1978 The Woman Pirates played in the Aldwych Theatre. In 2007 The Writer’s Guide awarded Steve’s BBC radio play McNaughton first prize and his The Cut Shakespeare series continue to be popular school texts.
