Middle Temple Hall

Crowd Holding,
Middle Temple Hall,
London, EC4Y 9BT

12:48 Thursday 28th August 2025.

Luxury billeting. Quite possibly the best holding area I've ever experienced. Certainly the most historically significant.

On 2 February 1602, this hall was the venue for the world premiere of Twelfth Night. Shakespeare was present. The play was not even published until its inclusion in the First Folio, more than twenty years later.

Not a lot of SAs know that.

The stage from which I drew this sketch is in the same location within the Hall as the one used 423 years ago. I suspect the timbers may have been replaced since then.

This production was a joy to be on. It was beautifully managed by Crowd 2nd Sara, and very well assisted by Millie and Kylie. Others were equally stellar, but sadly I can't recall their names. Thanks to all who made the days go so well.

I don't wish to be discourteous to the crowd of about 50 or so, all of whom proved to be fascinating characters, but two fellow SAs from the day are particularly worthy of note.

After 3.5 years as an SA, this was the first time I was booked to share holding with the great Peter Bergman. One day, we may well produce a book about all this SA nonsense - words by Bergman, art by Hughes.

Secondly, it was a privilege to meet and chat with Ray Andrew. Now an occasional SA, Ray has worked in movie making since the late '50s. He was the cameraman on The Shining! The actual Shining."

Drawn using Micron 0.1 and Winsor and Newton professional watercolours on A5 D&S 140gsm sketchbook paper from Hannemuhle.