Shakespeare 4 Kidz - Abu Dhabi: S4K Hamlet preview

Let's face it; getting to grips with Shakespeare isn't easy for the best of us, so imagine how hard it must be for children. Fear not, for help is at hand, thanks to Shakespeare 4 Kidz, an award-winning theatre company whose easy-to-understand adaptations of the Bard's work make Shakespeare more accessible for the little 'un in your life.

Touching down in the UAE this month, the British-based group will be presenting their child-friendly musical version of Hamlet, arguably the Bard's most famous play, in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

The visit marks a return to the Gulf for the award-winning theatre group, after wowoing audiences last year with their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. With the adaptation of Hamlet picking up similar rave reviews in the UK - The Times newspaper recently voted the musical "The Number One Show for Kids" - it looks like audiences this year can expect more of the same. To be or not be might be the question that, hopefully, the children will soon be bale to answer.

April 21 - 24, Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, 9am and 12noon. Tel (04) 3414777

April 27, Sharjah, Cultural Palace Theatre, 11am and 4pm. Tel (04) 3676699
April 29, Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation Theatre, 9am and 6pm. Tel (04) 3676699

What they say about us:
S4K DREAM: "It is late on Sunday Night and I am so excited to teach my class tomorrow as we spent Friday afternoon enjoying the Shakespeare 4 Kidz production of Midsummers Night's Dream. The children and staff all loved it as it really made the play (which we are studying in our literacy lessons) come to life. On the bus back the children had already asked to put on the play and had decided who could play which parts. They loved it all however Puck and Bottom were defintitely their favourites. I couldn't recommend it more highly the children will be talking about it for a long time! really loved it thank-you for making MSND come alive for my class you've made my job so much easier!"

What they say about us:

S4K DREAM: "It is late on Sunday Night and I am so excited to teach my class tomorrow as we spent Friday afternoon enjoying the Shakespeare 4 Kidz production of Midsummers Night's Dream. The children and staff all loved it as it really made the play (which we are studying in our literacy lessons) come to life. On the bus back the children had already asked to put on the play and had decided who could play which parts. They loved it all however Puck and Bottom were defintitely their favourites. I couldn't recommend it more highly the children will be talking about it for a long time! really loved it thank-you for making MSND come alive for my class you've made my job so much easier!"