Shakespeare 4 Kidz News

S4K Education - pioneers in Creative Shakespeare Education across the UK and overseas since 1996 - are delighted to endorse the Shakespeare Graphic Novels form Classical Comics.

The highly visual graphic format of the books heighten the important visual learning techniques in students of all ages - but are particularly useful for Key Stage 3 students studying Set Scenes for the SATs. The books can be read in three different formats starting with the QUICK TEXT version of the books to get a rapid understanding of the play; students can then progress onto a PLAIN TEXT version, then finally an ORIGINAL TEXT version of the play.

Julian Chenery, founder and Creative Director of S4K says:

"These Graphic Novel Formats echo the innovative work we have pioneered over the years with our Set Scene Seminars: in these, our cast would play the S4K version of a Set Scene, then immediately follow this with an identical staging - but using the original text. This proved to be a highly powerful methodology, with an incredibly strong visual impact, really helping students retain and understand complex contextual situations."

"In the same way, I am certain that the Classical Comics format is a valuable learning tool, and will quickly become the must-have stepping stone to a full appreciation of classic plays and novels in the 21st century."

"In our ever-changing, fast-moving society these books are an ideal aid to help gain a full grasp of the subject matter, and can only lead to more young people enjoying our original great works of literature."

An example of the Classical Comic KS3 vesrions of THE TEMPEST can be found via this link .

The Classical Comics website can be found on this link. 

Our acclaimed show "Shakespeare 4 Kidz THE TEMPEST" is back on tour across the UK this spring, joining our five-star hit Hamlet musical.

Jason Lee Scott - our original Prospero - returns to the company to recreate the role of the wizardlike Duke of Milan seeking to reclaim his dukedom after twelve long years abandoned on a Mediterranean island. Paul Parris (Hamlet in S4K Hamlet) is back as the monster Caliban and his real-life wife Filipa Jeronimo is the spirit Ariel.

The show opens at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea on 22nd January and plays (with S4K Hamlet) throught to 15th April at the Liverpool Empire. Tour dates and performance details can be found here.

The show is ideal for those students studying the play at Key Stage 3 as it gives a completely clear understanding of the plot, themes, chracters and relationships.

As part of our FREE Teacher resources for THE TEMPEST - you can now download a pdf of the 2008 Set Scenes for the Key Stage 3 English SAT.

As in previous years, each page contains the Original Shakespeare text side-by-side with the script from the Shakespeare 4 Kidz adaptation.

Though not necessarily a direct translation, the S4K version uses a unique blend of easy-to-understand dialogue with the original Shakespeare.

This year's set scenes for The Tempest are Act III, Scene 2 and Act IV, Scene 1 (lines 139 - 162).

The pdf can be downloaded using this link.

With our new production of Shakespeare 4 Kidz THE TEMPEST about to hit the road in January, we have added to our popular FREE downloadable worksheets.

Episodes 1 to 9 are now available online to Registered Users - these can be used straight onto whiteboards in the classroom, or can be downloaded in PDF format for use as class or homework sheets.

For those studying The Tempest at Key Stage 3 we shall shortly be adding to more useful study tools: a downloadable script comparison between the S4K version and the original text version of the two sets scenes; and also a video podcast from the S4K rehearsal studio in Horsham. You will be able to see some of the actors as they put together the set scenes and hear their comments and thoughts along with those of S4K writer and director Julian Chenery.