Malcolm Davis writes:

The 1960s were a strong period for Classical studies at Alleyn’s. Gilbert Macmillan, Alan Matthias and a number of other experienced teachers such as Bob Young (Head of History and Housemaster of Tulley’s, as well as teaching Ancient History) and Jimmy Logan (Latin & Greek plays and verse, and Housemaster of Tyson’s) encouraged a succession of students to go on to university entrance, including a high percentage to Oxford. In line with Alleyn’s dramatic traditions there were also strong ties with the Attic Players, a well-known amateur theatre group who gave public performances of Greek plays in London, for which Alan directed a memorable The Frogs of Aristophanes with Malcolm and other 6C pupils playing supporting parts.

After leaving Worcester College in 1972 Malcolm joined Jardine, Matheson & Co in Hong Kong. Twenty-five years later, after a series of postings (and a few chance meetings with AOBs!) in the Far East, he came back to the UK to be Managing Director of Harvey’s of Bristol before returning to Asia Pacific again as Senior Vice President of Allied Domecq plc. One of the penalties of this absence was losing touch with old friends – now in the case of Alleyn’s well compensated for by the frequent e-mail newsletter!

Alan Matthias writes:

Malcolm mentions some of the teachers with whom I worked at that time, including Bob Young. He developed a bit of a reputation (when teaching modern history) for his vivid description of WWII battles by sending bullets at his pupils in the form of pieces of chalk (obviously an exponent of method acting?).

The School’s strong dramatic tradition was I believe nurtured by Michael Croft, a charismatic teacher who was responsible during the 1950s and early 1960s for a number of pupils being accepted for the National Youth Theatre (including John Stride). His devotees were often to be seen rehearsing well into the night, and this provoked a certain amount of opposition among his colleagues.

During my time Richard (Rick) Stroud (Tulley’s) wanted to apply for Oxford entrance, which at that time still required a Latin O’ level qualification. When he turned up for the exam, he was sent out by the Deputy Head because he wasn’t correctly dressed. He raced home to sort out his appearance, as a result of which he was an hour late sitting down to write. Being a bright chap, however, he passed with flying colours, and since Oxford has had a brilliant career directing plays and programmes at the BBC and at ITV.

Michael Croft’s input was carried on by Alasdair Aston, who also provoked some antipathy amongst colleagues for getting boys hooked on drama. I helped him to produce Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part 2, and I still recall excellent performances by Ian Enters (Falstaff), Nicholas Day (Henry IV) and Christopher Smith (Prince Hal).

I think it was because of this, and my passable showing as Philip the Bastard in Shakespeare’s King John with a local drama group, that led Jimmy Logan to persuade me to produce The Frogs. To prepare myself for this challenge I took part in a Drama Course at St Mary’s College Twickenham, and it was there that I met Cynthia, my future wife. So Jimmy has a lot to answer for!

On leaving Alleyn’s I moved to a post at Raynes Park Grammar School. Later I became headmaster of Latimer School, Kettering, but I still look back on my time at Alleyn’s as the most productive and rewarding of my career.

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