We were fortunate to find a great cast for THE WHIPPING MAN, by Matthew Lopez, when we went to London in July for auditions. All three actors are new to our Hamburg stage, but we hope to see them return in the future. THE WHIPPING MAN begins at the end of the American Civil War. Caleb DeLeon, a young Confederate soldier, played by Rich Dolphin, returns home badly wounded. The grand house that he grew up in is partially destroyed due to the war. Caleb must now come to grips with the wrongs he and his family committed in the past as slave owners and with the fact that he no longer has status and power over his former slaves. Simon, played by Declan Wilson, is a longtime former slave of the DeLeon household. He is a deeply religious man who has adopted the faith of his Jewish masters. Now that he is a free man, Simon insists that his former master, Caleb, ask him to do things, not give him orders. During the play Declan sings a beautiful Negro spiritual. John is another former slave in the same household. Much younger than Simon, he struggles with his newfound freedom. He vacillates between rage over his treatment in the past and cockiness. Bursting with dreams for the future, he survives at present by looting food and valuable items from abandoned houses in the neighborhood.

Declan Wilson

Rich Dolphin

Jonathan Nyati

Graham Kemball

We were informed in July that our dear friend and former co-worker, Graham Kemball, died at age 49 after a brief illness. This news is shocking and so sad for the extended English Theatre family. Many lives were touched by Graham. He started out with us as a good looking young actor in Neil Simon’s comedy PLAZA SUITE. He also appeared in BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE and Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT. The rest of the time with us he worked as our Stage Manager and was always helpful and reliable in getting each production on stage. Graham’s sense of humor was much appreciated. He made us all laugh, even when the pressure was on. And he was sensitive to other people’s feelings and foibles. Eventually, he left to work in England as a teacher and director, but he remained in touch by email and even travelled back to Hamburg for a visit a couple of years ago. We are heartbroken, but so thankful that Graham shared so much of his precious life with us.