Kate and some children in Y5 were amazingly busy on Monday and Thursday as they performed at the Picadilly Theatre in the West End. Izzi, Daniella, Kahin, Michael, Zubin and Jaydon all took to the stage, Daniella even performing a dualogue with Jessica Hynes! Here’s an excerpt from the press release: More than 50 primary, secondary and special school students from across the country performed with professionals Paterson Joseph, Jessica Hynes and Arthur Darvill at London’s Piccadilly Theatre, in front of a sold out crowd to mark the 400th anniversary of the Great British playwright’s death. The cast included 25 pupils from London’s Primrose Hill Primary, Queen Elizabeth Boys Secondary and Oak Lodge Special Schools showcasing their versions of a Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare Schools Festival Chief Executive Ruth Brock said the importance of Shakespeare is not about the past, but his impact on the next generation. “In 2016, if those who already love Shakespeare talk only to others who love Shakespeare, we’ve failed. The challenge of performing, on a professional stage in the West End or in their local town, can transform children’s lives – building confidence, literacy and teamwork. To mark his 400th anniversary we should look to the future and equip young people with those life skills, whatever stage they’ll walk onto – be it boardroom, factory floor or operating theatre.”
“Too many young people think Shakespeare is not for them, for a different class or a different age. Shakespeare is as much the property of a six year old wheelchair user as a sixty year old academic. It should be as relevant to a 10 year old in east London as it is to a theatre critic,” Ms Brock said.
Jessica Hynes, actor, said:
“Cuts in state education, and the arts in particular, mean access to creative learning opportunities are dwindling, especially for those from low income backgrounds. But low income doesn’t mean low talent, low imagination or low intelligence. I’m supporting programmes across the UK like Arts Emergency and Shakespeare Schools Festival to ensure that kids with backgrounds like mine aren’t locked out of the next creative generation.”
Eight-year-old, Daniella Mikstro, from Primrose Hill School, London said:
“I was so nervous and so excited. We got to see how famous actors really do it. My mum and dad saw me as Puck for the first time, it was awesome!”
Kate Hopewell, teacher at Primrose Hill Primary School, London said:
“It’s easy to think that Shakespeare is too much of a challenge for primary aged children – or too boring. But our parents and school community were absolutely wow-ed by our pupils’ Festival performance and the impact on their confidence. Seeing Daniella conquer her fears as Puck in the West End tonight was a highlight in my teaching career. It makes me incredibly proud.”
We even saw Dame Maggie Smith afterwards!
