1561 ConcordiaMerchant Taylors’ School Summer 2013 Film The Chamber Choir singing Bruckner’s Christus factus est at the Annual Concert at Merchant Taylors’ Hall Welcome Dear reader In this edition we focus on the world other contributors who symbolise the and Second Master Dr. Tim Stubbs. We of film as we hear from OMT actors, extraordinary creative talents of OMTs also welcome incoming Head Master writers, producers and directors. I should within the film industry, particularly Nigel Simon Everson. like to begin by thanking Sara Karloff, Lindsay and Riz Ahmed, both of whom We continue to try to reach as many alumni daughter of the great Boris Karloff, and his recently starred in the award-winning as possible – please feel free to send us official biographer Stephen Jacobs. Sara’s comedy Four Lions. addresses of OMTs who would like to receive interview and Stephen’s article reveal As Stephen Wright’s Head Mastership Concordia. Lastly, we welcome your feedback another side to a man who appeared not comes to a close, we pay tribute to his nine so do let us know if there is anything you only as the iconic monster in Frankenstein years of outstanding service to Merchant would like to see appear in the magazine. but produced such a great and varied Taylors’ with contributions from former Jon Rippier body of work. I am indebted to the many Chair of Governors Sir Geoffrey Holland Editor Concordia E-mail Concordia at [email protected] Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Middlesex Contributing editors: Chris Roseblade, HA6 2HT, Tel: +44 (0)1923 820644 Nick Latham [email protected] Sub-editors: Alison Dawson, Sandra Sansom www.mtsn.org.uk Designed & produced by: 3Sixty Creative Photography: 3Sixty, Ding Ding Photography, www.3sixty-creative.com Editor: Jon Rippier Geraint Lewis, Jonah Surkes (5ths) Cover image: Boris Karloff (1942) DO YOU KNOW A MISSING ALUMNUS? Add a friend to Concordia’s mailing list [email protected] Summer 2013 2/3 Introduction An introduction from the Head Master: W elcome to the latest edition parents, teachers, former teachers and as well. It is this, possibly above all else, that of Concordia, which has an entirely OMTs, it was an excellent occasion and makes MTS such a special place. dramatic feel to it – indicating, indeed, was still going strong when I left at a late Finally I should say how delighted we were to see ‘The Rollers’ on a recent visit that OMTs’ rise to prominence in all hour – and, I believe, continued at other venues thereafter. For many it marked to the school. Having read the blow-by- walks of life – inspired, one would (one hopes) the start of genuine and long blow account of their carefully engineered hope by their early experiences at term re-engagement with MTS and, if the plot it was a real pleasure to welcome the Sandy Lodge. Their words, of course offers of work experience and mentoring participants as they revisited the scene of (and as one might anticipate), speak for that were received post-event are anything their ‘crime’. We hope there will be further themselves, so I want to focus, if I to go by, then it will develop still further such visits and all OMTs, either singly or may, on an event that took place the cohesion, mutual support and social as a group, are always more than welcome earlier in the year which seemed to interaction of all the members of the to visit the school – simply contact the encapsulate much of what the wider Merchant Taylors’ family. Development Office and book a time and Merchant Taylors’ community is In this light, and if I could be reflective a tour. (and should be) about. for a moment, it is this concern for others With all good wishes for the summer I refer to the City Network evening and generosity of spirit that has been the and beyond. that took place at the end of February. salient feature of all that I have encountered Hosted by KPMG through the kind at Sandy Lodge – one sees it in Phab and offices of Simon Collins (a current parent) the Charity Drive run by the boys at school, Stephen Wright with attendees including current pupils, but also in much that the OMTs undertake Head Master Summer 2013 In this issue 04 Film 18 OMTs Vaughn Stein, Philip Simon, 35 From a Head Monitor Sara Karloff, daughter of Boris Nimer Rashed, Luke Aikman, Tom Jeremy Cox OMT recalls his time Karloff OMT, is interviewed for Walter, Tristan Bernays and Tristam at Merchant Taylors’ and his career Concordia. She talks of her father’s Summers write of their involvement in medicine. early career, his immense body of in the world of film, theatre, television, 36 work, and his charitable legacy. and comedy. Development An update from Development 06 Stephen Jacobs, official biographer 28 Head Master Stephen Wright recalls Director Nick Latham and a review of Boris Karloff, summarises some of some of the more entertaining moments of the first City Network event. the key moments in the actor’s life. of his time at Merchant Taylors’. 42 Class Notes 08 Nigel Lindsay OMT looks back at 30 Former Chair of Governors Sir 51 his time at Merchant Taylors’ and his Geoffrey Holland and Second Master From the Archive acting career. Dr. Tim Stubbs pay tribute to Stephen 52 Obituaries Wright’s Head Mastership. 12 Riz Ahmed OMT reflects on 54 Letters to the editor his time at the school, his acting 32 Incoming Head Master Simon We have made every attempt to locate copyright career and his involvement in Everson gives us an insight into his ownership of archive photography but have not always succeeded in doing so. Any owners of copyright of charitable causes. career and values. individual images are invited to contact the editor. GIVE ONLINE to MTS To Support the Arts, Sport, Bursaries and more, go to www.mtsn.org.uk/development Concordia Merchant Taylors’ School Boris Karloff Boris Karloff (William Henry Pratt) attended Merchant Taylors’ from 1899 to1901. After struggling as a labourer in Canada, he began to act in travelling theatre before eventually breaking into Hollywood and gaining global recognition as the monster in Frankenstein in 1933. He acted in over 170 films, performed on Broadway where he was nominated for a Tony award and won a Grammy as the voice of The Grinch. He was also one of the founding members of the Screen Actors’ Guild. His daughter, Sara Karloff, who now runs the Boris Karloff Foundation, is interviewed below Although schooled for “the family him to test for the role of the Monster in business”, my father wanted no part of the upcoming film, Frankenstein. Bela it. His passion was the theatre. Having Lugosi had already turned the role down. taken every opportunity to see every play My father was delighted to be offered he could as a young man growing up any role. After two weeks of working with in England, once he reached the age of makeup genius Jack Pierce, the makeup 21, he left home with £100 in his pocket was completed and ready for the film test. and boarded a ship to British Columbia The rest is cinema history! My father was determined to become AN ACTOR, an overnight star. Frankenstein was his despite the fact he had not set foot on a 81st film and hardly anyone had seen his stage since the age of seven! first 80 films! He spent 10 years learning his craft with However, no one expected this film to three different repertory theatre groups, be the huge success it was, nor did anyone sometimes getting paid, sometimes not. expect the Monster to be the star of the He dug ditches, worked at the B.C railway, film. My father was not even invited to the the B.C. Electric Co., he drove a truck, he Première! He was not even mentioned in did whatever it took to sustain himself the front running credits of the film. There between theatre jobs. But he learned his was a “?” opposite the Monster in the craft and fortunately was a quick student. credit line. These theatre groups would do three or four plays a week and travel around the The physical effects of the costume country night after night. Not an easy life. were significant. Did he feel it was Your father’s family were mostly But he was AN ACTOR! worth the sacrifice? members of the diplomatic service. Eventually, my father made his way This stardom, however, did not come What motivated him to take a down to Hollywood and auditioned for without cost. The wardrobe and boots different path? everything and anything that came along. weighed over 70 pounds and my father My father, William Henry Pratt (Billy), a.k.a. He was an extra...the third from the left had to carry Colin Clive (Dr. Frankenstein) Boris Karloff, was the youngest of nine in the fourth row...as he told it. Finally he up the back lot hill of the studio several children, seven brothers and one sister. His began to get bit parts, a move up from times before “the shot” was just right. It closest in age brother was seven years older “extra” parts. These were often speaking took a terrible toll on my father’s already than he was. His father was in the Consular roles, small but “showy”. bad back. He was already very slender, Service and served in India. All of the Pratt having spent years as a starving actor, but boys, including my father, were trained for Stardom came with the release he lost 25 pounds during the making of the Consular Service and all but my father of Frankenstein.