On Tuesday 20 March, Year 5 girls enjoyed a workshop led by two actors from the UK’s national theatre company for children, ‘SHAKESPEARE 4 KIDZ’. The girls acted out the story of Shakespeare’s comedy, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, meeting the characters and thinking through the twists and turns of the plot for themselves.

It was a hugely enjoyable and stimulating morning, with each girl taking an active role in the play. Various props and costumes added to the experience, the highlight being the entry of Bottom with an ass’s head, although this kept slipping!

If the intention was to demystify Shakespeare and make his work accessible, this workshop achieved its aim. The girls came away with a real enthusiasm for Shakespeare which will stand them in good stead for future studies.

C Ryninks

Year 5 pupil Biom Nwachukwu gives her impressions:

First we had to warm up. We pretended to be jelly on a plate. We were all wobbling about and to be honest, looked a bit silly! Then we had to pull our ears and when Jenny saw our eyes open wide, she knew we were ready.

Andy started off the story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and as he asked us questions about the characters, the girls who answered them got the parts. It was not long before everyone in the room had a part.

The part of the play that I enjoyed the most was in the middle when Puck put the love potion, love-in-idleness juice, on the eyes of both Lysander and Demetrius. They both fell in love with Helena and there was a lot of confusion!   

To see more photos, please click below:
http://www.kingsleygallery.co.uk/index_files/shakespeare4kidz.htm