SEDInspire Lecture: Dugald Bruce-Lockhart and Taylor McGuire
Sedbergh welcomed three generations of theatrical talent for a SEDInspire Lecture evening combining live performance and candid discussion. Old Sedberghians Dugald Bruce-Lockhart and Taylor McGuire, alongside current pupil Holly Martin, offered pupils and guests insight into Shakespeare, acting craft and professional life in theatre and screen, highlighting the enduring impact of Sedbergh’s creative education.
By Dr Philip Hoskin
On Friday 9th January, Sedbergh welcomed two Old Sedberghians and one rising young performer for an evening of performance, creativity and conversation as part of the SEDInspire Lecture Series. The event brought together three generations of theatrical talent and offered pupils and guests a rare insight into the craft of acting, the world of Shakespeare and the realities of life on the modern stage and screen.
The first guest, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart (School House, 1981–86), is no stranger to Sedbergh audiences. During his school years he distinguished himself as a House Prefect, School Prefect and keen cricketer, and notably performed as Leonard Meryll in the school production of The Yeoman of the Guard. After Sedbergh he studied at the University of St Andrews before training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His career since has taken him to the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and Propeller, performing and directing across Europe in both English and Catalan. His screen work includes Case Histories, Foyle’s War, Brookside, Hotel Babylon, Midsomer Murders, The Bill and Hart’s War, and he was nominated Best Actor by The Stage in 2013 for his portrayal of David Cameron in The Three Lions at the Edinburgh Festival. Beyond the stage Dugald is the author of Heavy Pencil, a handbook for actors, and The Lizard, a thriller published in 2020.
Joining him was Taylor McGuire (Evans, 2014–19), who during his time at Sedbergh established himself as both an actor and sportsman. His performances included Guys and Dolls, Killed, Aristophanes’ The Birds (in the lead role), Les Misérables, A Christmas Carol, Fiddler on the Roof, Agave and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in which he played Bottom. On the sporting side he became Under-14 and later Under-18 National Fives Champion, played Colts Rugby (Daily Mail U15 Cup Winner), captained Fives, and contributed occasional but unpredictable wickets in cricket. Since leaving Sedbergh Taylor has completed four years of acting training, worked with Leeds Playhouse and the Unicorn Theatre, and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe with the 5-star sketch group The Petal Bearers. His current work focuses on devised performance, collaborative writing and new theatre.
The evening featured a third performer: Holly Martin, recently starred in the School production of Les Misérables. On this evening, Holly delivered a confident, assured performance as Juliet. In doing so, Holly’s presence created a striking three-generation tableau of theatrical performance.
Dugald opened the performance section with contrasting Shakespearean monologues drawn from Othello and Henry V. His Iago was taut, controlled, and quietly poisonous, the ‘thought whereof / Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards,’ was delivered with chilling precision. This was followed by Henry’s rousing exhortation from Once more unto the breach, in which Dugald urged the audience to ‘imitate the action of the tiger; / Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.’ The contrast between villainy and valour showcased the technical and emotional breadth of his work. This was Shakespearean performance as intended and at its finest
Taylor responded with three equally distinctive pieces. The first was a comic monologue involving an over-enthusiastic badger-baiter, performed with relish and excellent physicality. The second, written by Taylor himself, depicted a rugby player coping with the aftermath of serious head injury. The piece was raw, honest and deeply human, offering a rare account of vulnerability and identity within sport. The third was Prince Hal – Shakespeare’s portrait of the young Henry V – whose journey from misrule to leadership remains central to Shakespearean character study.
Following the performances, Dugald and Taylor held a discussion on acting, training and the profession. Their conversation ranged across influences, text work, audition pitfalls (including the importance of not pretending one can tap-dance), the value of collaboration, the realities of rejection and the importance of pursuing work one genuinely loves. Pupils received candid insight into the differing paths available within the arts and the evolving nature of theatre and screen in the present day.
The evening demonstrated how Sedberghians continue to contribute to the creative industries at multiple stages of professional development. The sight of Dugald, Taylor and Holly – three generations of immensely talented performers – sharing a stage remained a highlight for all in attendance. It was an evening that entertained, illuminated and inspired in equal measure.
