Case Study: Performing Shakespeare, in partnership with Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
When the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust decided to create a children’s edition of Shakespeare’s First Folio, it was always their ambition to see schools using this to stage their own productions.
The book is a beautifully illustrated collection of abridged versions of all the plays. Anjna Chouhan has done an incredible job of getting the full scripts down to a just few pages, while maintaining the absolute essence of the stories and only by taking lines away – not a line of her own invention has been added. So, Jo was delighted to be invited to direct the first ever performance of the Children’s Folio version of Macbeth, working with a group of children from Whytrigg Middle School in Seaton Sluice. To add to the excitement, the performance was to take place in the stunning setting of Alnwick Castle.
There are twelve named roles in this version of Macbeth, but by adding a chorus of witches to set the scene on the Blasted Heath and to perform the ‘Hell Broth’, Jo was able to work with a cast of twenty children. With only four school days of rehearsals, it was quite a task to pull the performance together but a most rewarding piece of work to undertake. The young actors brought new perspectives to the play and to the roles they portrayed as well as taking seriously the responsibility of clearly and creatively sharing this brilliant story with their audience.
Following the success of this performance, Jo had the opportunity to direct another of the Children’s Folio plays – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this time to be staged in the historically important St George’s Guildhall, Kings Lynn, where Shakespeare himself is known to have performed! Working with a much larger cast of Year 5 children from St Martha’s Primary School, Jo again created a ‘chorus’ to ensure that every child had a speaking role, making this a real ensemble piece. They all appreciated the significance of treading the very same boards as The Bard, and put on a truly magical performance.
There can be no better way for children to enjoy Shakespeare’s plays than by performing in them. And, The Children’s Folio gives schools and teachers a very manageable way to do this, without resorting to modern versions that are stripped of Shakespeare’s choice of words. These versions of the plays take the fear out of staging Shakespeare with young children – and it should grace the shelves of every primary school library!
“We absolutely loved it and the children loved it…it was just so impressive I remember very well the fantastic work you did with the children … I can’t wait for you to work your magic again!” Teacher, Whytrigg Middle School, Seaton Sluice
Shakespeare Workshops
Read about our previous work with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Related Shakespeare Workshops
Spotlight on Shakespeare
This workshop takes students right through the play, exploring the backstory, meeting the main characters and bringing key moments to life.
Introducing Shakespeare
A fantastic and very energetic way to engage your students in the playwright, his life and works – and prepare them for their studies to come.
The Poetry of Shakespeare
This engaging activity puts them centre stage by bringing out both the visible and the invisible.