Hopkins Receives Critical Praise for Performances at Scotland's Festival Fringe

Hopkins School recently made a triumphant return to Festival Fringe.

From August 4–9, ten student performers, two student stage technicians, and trip organizers/drama teachers Hope Hartup and Mike Calderone embarked on a thespian’s dream journey to the festival to perform an original play and take in an eclectic array of shows. After five knockout performances, a handful of Fringe shows, and numerous Scottish cultural immersions, the trip, which takes place every other year at Hopkins, was a big success.

The troupe performed five shows of Ecce Romani on a Shoestring!, an original play written and directed by Calderone. The play is based on the classic 1970s Latin textbook Ecce Romani by Gilbert Lawall, used by students worldwide—including at Hopkins School—as an introduction to the language. Under Calderone’s direction, the students brought the text to life with humor and wit, delighting audiences and several attending Fringe critics.

“This was a massively enthusiastic undertaking, and it is very difficult not to be encouraged by the infectiousness on stage by these young students,” said Donald C. Stewart of the British Theatre Guide. 

“Directorially, it is an interesting demonstration of the technique and the skills of this young cast.”

Rebecca Vines of Broadway Baby had similar remarks, praising the hard work of the cast to engage their audience in a performance aptly brought to life by the very teens the textbook was designed for. “The Shoestring Theatre brings their unique brand of storytelling magic to the book—and it is a funny, well-drilled jaunt through all twenty-seven chapters,” she remarked in her review.

In addition to its comedic elements, the performance was praised by critics for its minimalist set design and innovative physical theatre. “The staging was really fun; they didn’t really have any props or anything like that. They just used themselves as different parts of scenery,” said TikToker FringeFanJohnny in a raving video review. “This one was just so much fun and really well put together.”

Dr. Richard Orr, one of the original contributors to Ecce Romani, attended the opening night of Ecce Romani on a Shoestring! and met with the troupe afterward. According to Calderone, the prospect of having Dr. Orr in the audience was a “nail-biter,” yet the cast went ahead with the show. Orr later wrote to Calderone: “I enjoyed the performance and meeting the cast. They did you proud.”

Beyond performing, the group had the chance to watch over 30 Fringe shows and explore the city. Their tours included landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, a three-hour boat tour on The Maid of the Forth, and a visit to the National Museum of Scotland, where Dr. Imbre gave them a short, private tour of the Roman section.

According to Calderone, students learned valuable tools from the trip that will enrich their future work. “It's not uncommon for our drama kids to come home after the Fringe trip and apply what they've experienced to the work they do on campus,” he said. “I'm excited to see how all of their work in APAC will be enhanced by their experiences in Scotland!”

Ecce Romani on a Shoestring! will have a revival performance on Saturday, November 8, in APAC at the conclusion of Class Conn, the Classics teachers’ convention Hopkins is hosting.