Love’s Labour’s Lost was presented on May 26 and The Tempest on May 27. A newspaper reporter commented that the students were doing “their part in carrying on the tradition of Stratford’s connection with the works of the great writer, a tradition that has been fostered through the years in various ways but which found no definite annual observance until the students of this school commenced this yearly production.” The reviewer goes on to diplomatically observe that while some actors, including Teddy Deichert as the constable, “handled their parts exceedingly well… they received fine support from the rest of the company.” 

An article in that year’s “Classic” yearbook for the Normal School, described how “this year’s plays were as well presented as in former years and proved equally popular with the public. Few realize the immense amount of work required by the principals in the plays and the trainers to put on these plays. This year, Mr. L.R. Halnan, Mathematical Master and Miss A. Johnston, Librarian, trained the cast for Love’s Labour’s Lost and deserve great credit for the success of that production. Mr. H.G. Manning and Miss E.M. Everson were the trainers for The Tempest and were equally painstaking in their work. Miss E.M. Cottle assisted Miss Everson in preparing many of the costumes that could not be secured from the Toronto Costumer. 

The scenery used, which was very effective and suitable, was painted in 1913 for As You Like It by Mrs. Mayberry, Art teacher. The stage committee which was the same for both nights and consisted of Messrs. Slattery, West, Eidt, McClean, Johnston, Hoff and McLean proved most original and efficient in both plays, but particularly in the first scene of The Tempest representing a storm at sea. Some in the audience declared that it made them feel sea-sick…The great value of the work is, however, manifold. First, there is the value to the members of the casts, who learn their parts so well and attempt to interpret the characters they represent. Second, there is the school spirit aroused, for all are interested, if not actually participants. Third, there is the interpretation of Shakespeare to the public, with its stimulation to further study of this great Master of English literature. 

The past fourteen years of Shakespearean effort in Stratford Normal School have proven that these plays are ever new.” This copy of the cast photo belonged to Teddy Deichert, who played Dull the constable. His fellow cast members were A.K.C. Seale as Ferdinand, King of Navarre; R. Speer as Berowne; C. Dunseith as Longaville; F. Kelly as Dumaine; P.P. Pigeon as Boyet; L. Scarrow as Marcade; C. Gardiner as Don Adriano de Armado, Spaniard; Thos. McQuaid as Sir Nathaniel, a curate; Robt. Knight as Holofernes, a school master; T. Deichert as Dull, a constable; W. Stewart as Costard, a clown; Jas. Lane as Moth, page to Armado; Miss H. Roy as Princess of France; Miss R. Manson as Rosaline; Miss M. Sugrue as Maria; Miss D. Lennox as Katherine; Miss V. Wyers as Jaquenetta, a country wench; 

Besides Deichert, who can be easily identified by his police officer’s uniform, I am not able to match these names to faces. If you recognize any relatives or a teacher from years past, please contact Stratford-Perth Archives at archives@perthcounty.ca If you’d like to see the original photograph, it’s currently on display as part of the Archives Treasures Old and New exhibit in the James Anderson Gallery.