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Bringing Shakespeare off the Page from an Early Age

13 Jan 2025

‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on’ — Prospero, The Tempest

For over 15 years, I’ve had the joy of working with Freshwater, delivering an incredible range of workshops. Throughout my time, I’ve carried countless bags of kit on public transport across London, the Southeast, and even an excursion to Birmingham. Yet, my Shakespeare workshops hold a particularly special place in my heart—perhaps because they require the lightest kit bag!

Teaching staff are often surprised when I arrive with just a folder of laminates and pictures. “Is that it?” they ask. My response is always the same: “Yes, this and our imaginations are all we need.”

Why Start Shakespeare Early?

I was first introduced to Shakespeare in secondary school—probably around Year 8 or 9. I know for many teenagers, Shakespeare is a chore: dissected behind a desk and stripped of its joy.

Introducing Shakespeare in Primary school is the perfect way of capturing children’s interest early, before students develop mental barriers like, “I don’t understand” or “It’s too hard.” Freshwater’s workshops are designed to bring Shakespeare to life for primary school pupils and I’m constantly amazed by how much young children grasp and immerse themselves in the 400-year-old narratives.

Immersive Learning Through Drama

The beauty of these workshops lies in their simplicity. Few physical resources are needed because the focus is on embracing the language, characters, and themes. Through movement, performance, and voice, pupils breathe life into these timeless stories..

The students particularly enjoy stepping into the shoes of Shakespeare’s characters. They experiment with posture, facial expressions, and voice to embody The Witches in Macbeth or Caliban in The Tempest. And, of course, there’s the delight of flinging Shakespearean insults at each other—seeing who can most articulately shout, “Go shake your ears!”

Adapting Shakespeare for Younger Audiences

While most workshops are tailored for KS2 pupils, I was honoured to adapt two of my favourite plays—The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream—for KS1 students. For these sessions, I use more props: large pieces of fabric to recreate the storm in The Tempest and a mix of masks and scarves to help clarify the characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (which can be a bit tricky for younger learners).

For KS1 and even Reception classes, we emphasise themes, expression, and storytelling over complex language. That said, I still incorporate snippets of the original text, allowing children to engage with the richness of Shakespeare’s words. They act out scenes as I narrate, using movement and soundscapes to explore the plays. Their understanding and performances never fail to astonish me, proving that Shakespeare truly can be for everyone.

“So that’s all one, our play is done, and we strive to please you every day.”
— Feste, Twelfth Night

 

About the author: Claire Archibald

Claire delivers a wide of sessions for Freshwater; you may have met her as a Story Hunter, Time Traveller and, of course, a Shakespeare aficionado!