YOUNG actors from six primary schools came together to stage one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays at a North East theatre.
More than 200 children – some as young as five – were introduced to the work of The Bard through a partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company, which worked with pupils and teachers to stage a child-friendly performance of Macbeth at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre.
The project was spearheaded by Joanne Wilson, Headteacher of St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, who began working with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2018.
She said: “We are definitely a ‘Shakespeare School’ these days, and his work is deeply embedded throughout our curriculum.
“However, it’s only in the last couple of years that we’ve begun to introduce it to the Reception children. That does raise some eyebrows, but it’s been a resounding success!
“Because the language is so unfamiliar to everyone, all the children start at the same level, so rather than being alienating or intimidating, the result was that the children really engaged with the material.”
Six schools were encouraged to indulge in a creative dose of ‘Double, double toil and trouble’: St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, in Hartlepool; St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School, in Bishop Auckland; and St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School and St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, in Stockton – all belonging to the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust.
They were joined by Throston Primary School and Kingsley Primary School, both in Hartlepool.
Rather than simply read the text, pupils learned by performing – the way Shakespeare intended his work to be enjoyed.
The schools rehearsed and learned individually, before coming together at the theatre to put their scenes together and perform the full show to an audience of more than 360 people.
Steve Williams, Headteacher at St Patrick's, said: “One child, who had always avoided performing in school plays, stepped forward on the day to take on an additional role and extra lines, and said afterwards, ‘I didn’t know applause could be so loud.’”
Katherine Fletcher, from the Royal Shakespeare Company, worked with the schools to develop the performance. She said: “The young people demonstrated exceptional talent, creativity, and confidence on stage.
“What stood out most was not only the quality of their performance, but the way they supported one another throughout – showing genuine teamwork, encouragement, and mutual respect.”
