Shakespeare Schools Festival launches at Theatr Clwyd
The Shakespeare Schools Festival launches the 2010 season
marking the charity’s tenth anniversary at Theatr Clwyd in Mold, North Wales.The Shakespeare Schools Festival – the UK’s largest youth drama project – has launched its tenth anniversary season at the Theatr Clwyd. Since 2000 the charity has been using the genius of Shakespeare to bridge the attainment gap, training teachers as directors and giving young people of every background and ability the opportunity to perform plays in their local professional theatres. Over the autumn 650 schools from Scotland to the Channel Islands will perform half hour adaptations of some of the world’s best literature in 80 professional theatres.
Since the Millennium the Shakespeare Schools Festival has transformed the lives of thousands of young people who have learnt articulacy, built self-confidence and team work and gained knowledge to take back to their academic studies.
The Theatr Clwyd, Mold are delighted to host performances from numerous schools from across the region. For schools and plays see attached list.
Each school will give Shakespeare’s plays their own particular twist. Last year a boys’ school translated A Midsummer Night’s Dream to modern day Manchester during the credit crunch, with an Alan Sugar-style Duke, and an all seeing Big Brother Oberon. Posh and Becks were the inspiration for Antony and Cleopatra, with Mark Antony, striker for Roma, being tempted away to play for Egypt. And a girls’ school explored a contemporary reversal of The Taming of the Shrew with the ladies chasing and ‘taming’ the lads, governed by an over protective mother.
Commenting on the 2010 season, Festival Director Chris Grace, said:
“I look forward immensely to seeing what the students and their directors have dreamt up for us this year. As report after report paints this country as a difficult place to grow up in and engage positively with society, our charity offers a creative solution; through this country’s greatest literature we harness and channel our young people’s natural aptitude for imagination and team-work. Through workshops and performance they build communities within their school, as well as between local schools, and develop a sense of self-worth for themselves. Grades improve and horizons shift and expand. Experiencing Shakespeare helps makes sense of the world.”Previous participants have praised the life-changing nature of the charity’s work:
TEACHERS
“SSF has proved the most challenging and rewarding experience in a long teaching career.” Teacher, Hillcrest SchoolShare and Enjoy:
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Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Shakespeare Schools Festival launches at Theatr Clwyd | North Wales Links
