FORMER pupils from the Crypt School have paid tribute to inspirational teacher Charles Lepper, who has passed away.
Charles, 92, who died on January 27, was the head of English and drama where he produced a series of Shakespeare plays.
He grew up in London and attended Bradfield College, in Berkshire, where he acquired a taste for drama. In 1941 he was called up to the King's Royal Rifle corps, becoming an officer in 1943. After service in France and Belgium, he requested a transfer to Burma, gaining the rank of major.
From 1946 to 1949 he completed a degree in English at Lincoln College in Oxford, though most of his time was devoted to dramatics.
His acting career made a positive start, including a season alongside John Gielgud and Peggy Ashcroft at the Royal Shakespeare Company and seasons at Sheffield and Chesterfield. His hopes were crushed by his increasing deafness and in 1954 he tried out teaching at the Crypt.
Richard Abraham, who was a pupil at the school between 1953 and 1961, performed in some of Charles' plays. He said: "Charles and the Crypt's new head, Colin Ewan, got on marvellously and from 1955 to 1967, his brilliant and totally professional methods inspired a rare affection for the works of William Shakespeare in Cryptians. For many former students at Crypt and Bradfield, he was the most charismatic teacher they ever met, a man who really opened their eyes and changed their lives."
Clive Mitchell, also a former pupil at the school from 1955 and 1963, added: "Reviewers, who had claimed that boys could not play Lear, ate their own words. In 1964, Charles called back his former actors, now mostly at universities, to stage a 'Tribute to Shakespeare' on the Bard's 400th anniversary."
In 1967 Charles returned to Bradfield as head of English and drama, where he produced plays in English and Greek. In 1985 he retired in Oxford, where he became an active member of Lincoln College and was an active Freemason.
His history of the Crypt School was published for the school's 450th anniversary in 1989. From 2009, he lived in a care home in Berkshire.
Jacqui Connell from Huntley was a close friend. She said: "He was a wonderful person who my parents and I and later my husband have been fortunate to have as a great friend. We have many happy memories and he will always be remembered by his friends in so many ways.
"From his experiences of life we have also made many friends and I was fortunate to be able to call him 'uncle' as he has played a big part in my overall life. Charles lived initially in The Saracens Head, Gloucester and finally moved into Stroud Road and friends remember him cycling around Gloucester with his hat and scarf on, blowing in the wind."
The Old Cryptians Club, which has more than 100 members, will be toasting Charles at their annual dinner at Kingsholm Rugby Club on March 21. A memorial will also be held on the same day in school hall at the Crypt School.
