Objects of Substance - Ophelia

In the ensuing exchange between Ophelia and Hamlet, Ophelia is not meek or tame; she has a strong voice. This passage highlights that it is Hamlet who is flawed: his lies are petulant and Ophelia’s resolve and honesty are obvious, both character traits that this gift from the 1999 Year 12s celebrates. The tradition of giving has a rich history at Girls Grammar, from donors such as the Old Girls Association, to the Parents & Friends, and of course, the graduating Sixth Form [Year 12] classes, as well as many more groups and individuals. Artworks, furniture, practical items, such as clocks and banners, and Speech Day prizes have been gifted along with perhaps, the more important gifts of time and talent of Grammar Women and parents and friends of the School. The intentions behind the generosity of giving are to develop the art and object collection, construct new - and extend existing - buildings to improve the campus, and to bestow prizes for students to seek further opportunities in specific subject areas. What continues after the act of giving, is the legacy that is left behind when we leave Brisbane Girls Grammar. Perhaps the 1999 gift inspired the selection of Hamlet as the joint production between Brisbane Grammar School and Girls Grammar in 2003. The cast numbered twenty-five, and they were directed by Michael Beh. Francesca (Frankey) Bianchi (2004) played Ophelia and, to this day, Francesca devotes her career to acting as well as on-set dialect coaching in Canada. Francesca recently shared her experience of acting in Hamlet nearly two decades ago: ‘It was my first real exploration of Shakespeare. We sat at desks and read his work in class but that doesn’t compare to the visceral exploration I was gifted with onstage in that show. I’m a professional actor now so I know my work was probably awful! But that show planted the seed for me and marked the beginning of my love for that text and being on stage’. (Bianchi 28/10/2023)