Across three evenings in Play Term 2023 at the school’s Millicent Fawcett Hall, a team of 29 sixth form cast and crew presented a stage version of Jaroslav Hašek’s The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk During the World War, which was originally published in the early 1920s.

Blake (Sixth Form, HH) adapted the original Czech text and directed the production. Explaining why the story caught his attention, he said: “It’s a madcap comedy, but it is also a story about thinking critically, not falling for the propaganda of institutions that want to make people into cannon fodder. It is about finding ways to subvert the plans of an authoritarian regime even when you have no power. But above all, it is about choosing life over resignation and despair. I’m immensely grateful to the cast and crew who brought this story to life with their immense talents, energy and dedication.”

Director of Drama, Chris Whyld, said: “This entirely student-led production, from Blake’s translation, adaptation and direction to the stage management, set design and of course the utterly accomplished performances, was an absolute triumph. Blending styles of the Absurd, Brecht’s Epic Theatre and German Expressionism, Švejk brilliantly captured the chaos and ridiculousness of authoritarian bureaucracy. Any show which features both a chicken and a dog gets the thumbs up from me. A huge, well-deserved congratulations to all involved.”

Head Master, Dr Gary Savage, added: “It was an evening of Mitteleuropean mayhem, with elements of the comic, the absurd and the tragic, all beautifully rendered by a committed and talented cast and crew. My reaction was sheer delight. I knew the story, and was looking forward to their treatment of it, but I hadn’t expected something quite so riotously brilliant. The show was a treat from beginning to end. They galvanised a great cast and backstage team to create something really memorable. They generated and harnessed so much energy, inventiveness and exuberance, making full use of the space, and the talents at their disposal, to deliver a tour de force. Technically, it was very impressive; but also the edit of the text to create a story by turns funny, strange and even moving was really impressively done. The whole evening – and of course dear, barking Ada – will live long in my memory, and no doubt in theirs.”

Arno Pilz, a Westminster parent, had seen a 1960s-vintage German film adaptation of the story in his youth. After seeing the Westminster production, he commented: “An enjoyable and frightfully well-cast play that outdid my childhood memories of Heinz Ruehmann’s version of The Good Soldier Švejk. The multitasking cast seamlessly switched between roles whilst perfectly preserving characters and fluidity. There were perfectly dotted hints of Walter Mitty, Forrest Gump, Chauncey Gardiner, all sprinkled with the occasional Jaques Tati or hectic Louis de Funes. Brilliant, Jaroslav Hašek would have loved it.”

Old Westminster Jolie travelled back to school from Edinburgh specifically to see the show. She said, “I thoroughly enjoyed this new play adaptation of Švejk! Imaginatively and playfully satirises the bureaucratic mechanisms of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Fabulous acting. The audience wept with laughter.”

Felix (Sixth Form, RR) was the Assistant Director and memorably portrayed the Narrator. He commented: “Being part of Švejk was extremely fun, challenging and rewarding. The independence of a student-run play meant that many parts of the process usually taken for granted needed to be reconsidered, and this was an invaluable insight into theatre as a whole. While it was difficult to put on, above all Švejk was fun. The Good Soldier Švejk is a story with vibrant characters, dastardly villains and a central struggle that everyone can relate to – feeling powerless in a system that doesn’t care about you. The funny moments make the serious ones stand out even more, elevating the whole production. Treading the line between absurd satire and moments of loss in the brutal reality of war, is what sets Švejk apart, and what made it such a joy to be a part of.”

Helen (Sixth Form, PP) was set designer and a stage manager. She commented: “Švejk was probably the highlight of my first sixth form term, the experience was like no other and will forever hold a special place in my heart; not only because of the great friendships that were made along the way, but also because this play was entirely student run, meaning we got to take everything into our own hands with little to no instruction. Though it was chaotic at times, everything magically came together in the end. I would definitely do this again with no hesitation if another opportunity came, and would recommend it to everyone.”

Charlie (Sixth Form, DD) played the titular role. “Whilst at times a stressful and challenging experience due to how technical and ambitious the production was, Švejk turned out to be brilliant and very rewarding. Initially, I was reluctant to play as Švejk, never having played such a big part before, but it was the right choice and I had so much fun playing him. I felt that the whole cast and everyone backstage really came together for the show and it was amazing to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

Frida (Sixth Form, DD), who played multiple roles, said: “A production entirely student-led, from translation and direction to set design and stage management, Švejk was destined to be a chaotic and challenging project. Yet somewhere between hours of biscuit-fuelled rehearsal, repeated trips to National Theatre costume hire, extensive painting operations and bulk buying of rotisserie chickens, the show came together – the product of our combined efforts. The sense of reward and satisfaction that ran through cast and crew alike at the successful execution of the three-night run was a feeling beaten only by the fun and excitement we had along the way.”