Shakespeare 4 Kidz News

GULF WEEKLY
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A musical theatre adaptation of Shakespeare's most famous love story, Romeo and Juliet, will be staged in Bahrain by British theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidz (S4K).

The company has been touring since 1997 featuring a 13-member cast, a live band and support crew of five and recent performances in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have received rave reviews.

Julian Chenery, S4K's founder and creative director, said that the company is committed to making the Bard's plays accessible for young children and that S4K's 'Romeo and Juliet - The Musical' is an ideal introduction to Shakespeare.

"It can be enjoyed by children of all ages and ability levels," he said. "We aim to enhance the educational experience of Shakespeare for young people by providing a map of opportunities for lifelong learning and pleasure in his work."

The storyline of S4K's Romeo and Juliet - The Musical stays close to the well known plot of the son and daughter of two arch enemies meeting, falling in love and secretly marrying before family feuds come between them, with tragic consequences.

The script is in modern, simple English that is mixed with parts of Shakespeare's original words. The Montagues are in Hawaiin shirts and the Capulets are in leather jackets and each principal character had a song.

International reviewers have described the show as a 'fast-paced adaptation', updating the period, simplifying the text, using projected backdrops to contextualise scenes, highlighting comedy, interspersing the action with catchy songs, dance routines and slapstick, and introducing some novel characterisation."

Havajava, the music and coffee store in Seef, are the event managers of the show. Paula Mansoor, the organiser, said that this year's show follows a successful performance of Hamlet by the same theatre company in Bahrain.

She said: "We have got a good response with the morning show sold out to different schools around the country. S4K's Romeo and Juliet - The Musical is also set in a modern setting and will be nothing short of a brilliant performance."

Performances are on 11.30am and 6.30pm at the Salman Cultural Centre. Each performance lasts two hours 10 minutes, including a 20-minute interval. For tickets call 17582324

See the original article on the GULF WEEKLY website

The Shakespeare 4 Kidz Theatre Company have now arrived in Bahrain for the final leg of our three week Middle East tour of Romeo and Juliet - The Musical.

There are two shows at the Al Salman Cultural Centre in Bahrain on Thursday 14 May at 11.30am and 6,00pm.FOR TICKETS CALL - 1 758 2324

The 2009 tour of the Middle East opened in Dubai on 27 April, mpved on to our first ever visit to Damascus in Syria where we played to sell-out shows at the 1200 seater International Open Air Theatre, then back to Sharjah in the UAE for three shows at the Cultural Palace.

Abu Dhabi students discover the delights of Shakespeare through workshops presented by ADMAF

UAE. For the past week, more than 300 students from schools and universities across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain have had the unique opportunity to participate in   special educational workshops by ‘Shakespeare 4 Kidz’, a theatre group from the UK specialising in performances for children and  students.

The workshops have been made possible thanks to the support of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF).

The students from the UAE University, the Abu Dhabi International School, Al Fajr School, Al Yasmina School, Gems American Academy and the Al Ain English Speaking School, have all experienced the unique sessions which were held 3-7 May 2009.

Students from The Future Centre for Special Needs and the Special Care Centre in Abu Dhabi also took part in the workshops, building on ADMAF’s efforts to involve children with special needs in  artistic activities in the UAE, an initiative that was launched this years as part of the unique education program  of the 6th Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival.

Specially designed for a younger audience, the ‘Shakespeare 4 Kidz’ workshops offer a brilliant opportunity for boys and girls to experience the classical tales of the Bard in a fun and interactive manner.  All of the participating schools were given a choice of Shakespeare plays to focus on including Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer’s Night Dream and Romeo and Juliet.

During the workshops, the leaders Rose Blackley and Alan Clarke, work with the students, getting them to act out the play over the course of the two hour period.  This hands-on approach helps to demystify the works of the literary master whilst staying true to his style and content.

Shakespeare 4 Kidz has been providing Shakespeare education to children and young people all over the UK, and across the globe since 1997. Their unique approach has proved a hit with kids and adults alike.  Their success is largely due to their original approach to classical literature and the safe and encouraging environment in which every pupil is made to feel that their contribution is recognised and valued.

Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), said: “ADMAF is delighted to be supporting the ‘Shakespeare 4 Kidz’ workshops at eight schools and universities throughout the Emirate.  Shakespeare is one of the greatest masters of the written word and has inspired artists for hundreds of years.  His plays and poems have stood the test of time, and even today inspire literature and arts lovers across the globe.

"It is truly wonderful to see students of all ages participate in these dynamic sessions, and perform some of Shakespeare’s great works with professional actors.  We hope these educational sessions help to lay the foundations for further enthusiastic study of William Shakespeare.”

The ‘Shakespeare 4 Kidz’ workshops presented by ADMAF aim at introducing children in the United Arab Emirates to the writings of a great artist and enhancing their access to arts and culture, a goal that lies at the heart ofthe Foundation’s education programme. This year-round extensive programme includes performances, workshops and lectures in schools, colleges and theatres across the UAE, providing  an opportunity for more children to learn about music and arts, and seeking to inspire the next generation of culture lovers.  

See the original article on line at the BIME website

The show plays at the Sharjah Cultural Palace on Saturday 8 May at 6.00pm and Sunday 9 May at 9,00am and 12.00 midday.

Tickets: 50 AED Adult or child
Special group rates available for school parties

For information please call Sharjah Theatres Group
06 5241238 (Sunday to Thursday 08.30 to 14.30)
or Timeout Tickets Tel 800 4669
www.timeouttickets.com

CLICK HERE for more information from the Sharjah Theatres Group website