Shakespeare 4 Kidz News

FROM VARIETY MAGAZINE
by Audrey Ward

Shakespeare's works get musical makeover

LONDON -- Mark Thomas of Elsinore Films is producing a 3-D musical "Hamlet" targeting the "Harry Potter" and "High School Musical" market.

The movie will be the first of six adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays, based on musical versions created by U.K. theater company Shakespeare 4 Kidz.

British legit scribe John Godber is directing. Michael Cowan exec produces; he is co-managing director of Brighton-based production company Spice Factory and new sales and distribution house Stealth Media Group.

The other five pics in the series are "Macbeth," "Romeo and Juliet," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Twelfth Night" and "The Tempest."

Stealth has global distribution rights to the first three releases, which will be produced back to back over 18 months.

Some 70% of the $10 million budget for the initial three films is being provided by an L.A.-based private equity fund, while the remainder is from European backers. Lensing will take place in Canada and the U.K.

Alongside the movies, Elsinore will shoot TV show "Movie Quest -- A Romeo 4 Juliet," a public search to find two undiscovered young actors to play the lead parts of Romeo and Juliet.

"Hamlet" lends itself to a 3-D treatment. The producers hope to include a ghost that hovers in front of the aud's eyes, cannon fire that flies into the auditorium and a sword fight that appears to happen all around viewers.

Thomas is currently producing "Three Days in Dublin," starring Ray Winstone and Heather Graham.

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3D Hamlet musical launches Shakespeare 4 Kidz Movie Series

S4K’s Hamlet in 3D will be the first of a series of six movie adaptations of the musical versions of the Bard’s plays originally created by the acclaimed UK theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidz. It will be followed by S4K's Romeo and Juliet and S4K's Macbeth.

The film, which is produced by Mark Thomas and Elsinore Films, will be directed by double BAFTA winner John Godber, who is reuniting his partnership with Thomas, the producer of Godber’s film version of Up ‘n’ Under.

There is a public preview performance of S4K's MACBETH at The Capitol in Horsham at 7.pm on FRIDAY 4th September 2009.

Tickets are just £5 and are now on sale at The Capitol Box Office. You can buy tickets on the internet at www.thecapitolhorsham.com or by calling 01403 750220.

FROM THE WAKEFIELD EXPRESS
24 July 2009

Shakespeare retold

SHAKESPEARE'S tragic tale of star-crossed lovers has been given a rock 'n' roll twist by Outwood school pupils.

Ledger Lane J & I’s musical version of Romeo and Juliet is set in the 1950s and has received standing ovations from audiences.

The year 6 play was inspired by an adaptation by national Shakespeare company for children, Shakespeare 4 Kidz.

Janice Noble, year 6 teacher, said: “A lot of the wordiness was taken out and replaced with songs so it is easier for the children to learn.

“We already studied the play in class and had seen the Shakespeare 4 Kidz performance.

“It’s a energetic performance with a comedy element in there, as it is a tragedy, and we always finish on a rousing song.”

Romeo was played by Georgia Silla and Georgia Petts, both 11, while the role of Juliet was taken on by Vicky Reynolds and Emily Barrett, also 11.

Teachers Jane Clayton and Vickie Poole have also been involved in the production, which is the third Shakespeare tale chosen by the school for their end of term performance.

Mrs Noble said: “We’re trying to raise money for some new stage lights because the lighting we have at the moment is on its last legs.”