Understanding Shakespeare

The Workshop

The Shakespeare workshop will consist of a 90-minute intensive introduction to key texts on the school syllabus. The workshop will consist of games and exercises alongside working with text and rhythm to break down the difficulties faced by students with Shakespeare's language and thematic content. Techniques devised by the company will be used to develop an understanding and confidence in Shakespeare's plays, such as the use of music, beat, given scenes, tactics, given objectives, character analysis and improvisation.

The Shakespeare workshops will encourage young people who struggle with the language and themes of his plays, breaking them down in such a way that the students can become creative and confident in their knowledge and understanding - a valuable tool for study of Shakespeare in English or Drama GCSE and A-level.

The Texts

There are three texts available for study, these are:

Romeo and Juliet
Macbeth
Much Ado About Nothing

Upon booking you are required to state which one of these three texts you would like to be studied in the workshop. Open Space will then prepare a workshop around the given text, focusing upon one particular scene/section of the play. The workshop will begin by looking at the text and rhythm of Shakespeare's language, and will progress on to the characters and scene from the chosen text. Working with exercises in groups, the characters and situations in the text will be broken down and worked with by the pupils. This will lead to presentations by the pupils and continued discussion alongside practical work.

The aim by the end of the session is for the pupils to have gained a fuller understanding of Shakespeare's rhythm, language, characters and themes.

The pupils will be supplied with handouts, for use as reference during and after the workshop has finished.

The workshop is available to years 7 - 11 and A-level. When booking please tell us what age range or year we will be working with so that we may prepare accordingly.

PLEASE NOTE: The workshop is available to a maximum of 35 students at any one time, though it should also be noted that the smaller the group the better as the students will gain more from the workshop with increased attention for the individual.

Times and Dates

The workshop will be available from Monday 17th April 2006 until the end of July 2006 (depending upon individual dates for summer holidays). It is available throughout school hours or after school hours as extra-curricular. Block bookings are welcome if you require more than one workshop in any one-day, and a discount will be available for these bookings.

Cost

One 90-minute workshop with handouts - £65
Two workshops in any one-day - £100
Three workshops in any one-day - £150

If you would like to book a workshop, please print and complete our booking form and return it to us as soon as possible.