WHAT do EastEnders, a Victorian novelist and a Tiverton school have in common?

The answer is Lorna Doone, written by R.D. Blackmore, who attended Blundell’s School – as did the hero of the novel, John Ridd.

The play based on the book is directed by James Rochfort, the school’s resident professional actor, whose credits include leading roles in EastEnders and other television series.

The play celebrates the first 25 years of the school’s purpose-built theatre, Ondaatje Hall, features original music and an appearance by a horse-drawn cart of the period – without the horse.

A Year 13 student who plays one of the Doone clan has been given permission to grow his hair long, as befits an Exmoor outlaw of old.

Pupils in Years 11–13 perform Lorna Doone next month.