Schools tackle the Bard

EIGHT schools are to take to the stage at Warrington’s Pyramid arts centre as part of the nationwide Shakespeare Schools Festival.
The schools will perform on two evenings, Monday and Tuesday, November 12-13,
presenting youthful interpretations of four different Shakespeare plays.
Creative concepts such as a Bollywood style “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and Romeo and Juliet in the London riots will be staged.
But each production will be united by the iconic words written more than 400 years before the performers were born.
Primary and secondary schools across Warrington and wider areas are taking part in the productions giving a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved in the arts.
On November 12 there will be performances from Bridgewater High School, Penketh High School, Ormiston Bollingbroke Academy, St Theresa’s Catholic Primary School and Hartford High School.
Weaverham High School, The Bankfield School and Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School take to the stage on November 13.
Now in its 13th year, the Shakespeare Schools Festival has long since believed in the need to invest in the cultural education of the next generation.
The National Theatre provides directorial training for their 700 dedicated teachers, showing them how to unlock text for their young people.
SSF’s chief executive officer, Penelope Middelboe, said: “There is something very exciting about entrusting the work of one of our most monumental playwrights to the next generation.
“It is only by allowing young people to discover for themselves how art helps make sense of their world that the UK will be able to retain its leading position as a nation with a rich cultural heritage and strong contribution to the arts.”