The magic of switching from school hall to real stage will excite hundreds of local pupils and students next week when the annual Shakespeare Schools Festival is held for six nights at Greenwich Theatre (Nov 2-7).
Each night four different secondary and primary schools will perform adapted versions of Shakespeare plays – and it’s not only an inspirational experience for young people, their teachers and families.
“Every year I’m inspired and reinvigorated by the festival,” said James Haddrell, the theatre’s Artistic and Executive Director. “It’s just wonderful to see the theatre world afresh through the eyes of these young people.”
When James joined Greenwich Theatre as press officer in 2001, one of his first projects was the Shakespeare Schools Festival. “I remember being inspired by the way the young people embraced the opportunity to perform these amazing plays.
“I changed many things when I took over as director in 2007, from shifting the programming to establishing the theatre's financial security, but one of the things I've never wanted to change is the Shakespeare Schools Festival.”
A regular highlight is the contribution from Corelli College, which has its own Kidbrooke Theatre Company. This year their Year 10 GCSE Drama group, with a cast of fifteen 14-15-year-olds, will be doing a “slightly different” Othello, directed by drama teacher Lee-Diep Chu.
*Shakespeare Schools Festival Nov 2-7, 7pm. Tickets £10 (Concessions £8, Groups £7, all including £1 booking fee). Box office: 020 8858 7755.
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