Each workshop lasts for one hour and is run by two actors with teaching knowledge and experience. After an introductory session in which we talk about William Shakespeare and Elizabethan Theatre, we focus on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with its close affinity to a fairy tale.

“The pupils and staff were thoroughly engrossed, entertained and educated...” KS1 Teacher, Devon

The workshop moves through key moments of the play examining the plot and the relevant characters, particularly the fairies and the workmen. Some pupils take part in the story and represent characters, whilst others join in with group activities related to the story.

All pupils are encouraged to contribute in their ideas throughout and join in some scenes. Up to 100 children can be involved in the session, meeting the characters and thinking through the twists and turns of the plot for themselves, discovering characters’ motivations for their actions and words.

This is a successful method of making the work of Shakespeare accessible to younger children.