CHILD'S PLAY

Bard of Shakespeare? You won’t be when you see the latest adaptation of ‘Romeo and Juliet’, writes Eve Dugdale

Romeo Romeo, where for art thou Romeo?

Whether you’re a culture vulture or someone who’s quite happy to admit they haven’t picked up a book since school, you probably recognise that line.

Like him or loathe him, people around the world have heard of William Shakespeare.

His plays have been translated into every major language and are performed more often than any other playwright.

Now the group Shakespeare 4 Kidz is bringing one of The Bard’s most popular plays ‘Romeo and Juliet’ to children in Dubai.

The theatre company says understanding the work of the classical English playwright is beneficial to children of all nationalities, not just because of the words he uses or the way he forms sentences.

“Obviously for English children it’s important they know about Shakespeare because it’s their inheritance, a tradition. It’s essential children know about their history and can pass on their traditions,” explains assistant director and choreographer Joseph Fowler.

“But for other children it’s a useful tool in life. “Shakespeare plays focus on things that our younger generation need to know about - morals, family life, marriage, rivalry, crime, pride, passion - everything that life is made up of. His work definitely has international appeal.”

Joseph, who was trained at England’s prestigious Royal Ballet School and has travelled around the world both as a dancer and director says he’s always impressed with the popularity of Shakespeare on his travels.

“Everybody knows of Shakespeare no matter where you go. Everybody can quote a line from Shakespeare - people may not know why or how they know but everybody seems to know his work. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a particularly popular one, especially after it was made into a film with Leonardo Di Caprio.”

The Shakespeare 4 Kidz shows are adaptations of popular plays that use key elements of the original Shakespeare text interweaved with modern language, dance, music and comedy to help children understand the plot, yet keep them entertained as well.

There are two performances a day of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC), Mall of the Emirates, starting today until Thursday. 

It’s not the first time Shakespeare 4 Kidz has visited the Middle East either. It has been staging performances here for several years with ‘Hamlet’ being staged just last year.

Joseph says the company chose Dubai as the first overseas destination to put on the show because Shakespeare is so popular here. “It was a logical place to kick off the tour abroad. We’ve been touring England for nine months and we’re here for a three week tour of the Middle East. We always have a fabulous reception in Dubai, the children love it so it was almost on demand why we came back here.” And we don’t have to take Joseph’s word for how popular the show is here.

Jane Shaddick is assistant head teacher at Dubai English Speaking School. She says her pupils always enjoy the Shakespeare 4 Kidz productions and it really helps them get to grips with the plays. In fact, her children are so keen on the funky adaptations that this year she’s taking 220 kids to the theatre! “The students totally engage with the plays -  it’s so visual. “They love the costumes and the jokes between the actors. In fact, they’ve told me it’s ‘awesome’ actually. “Some of them may be a bit apprehensive at first, they don’t know what to expect because after all it’s a Shakespearian play so a lot of them think it’s going to be very formal, classic theatre. “But the way Shakespeare 4 Kidz presents it, it’s very lively and accessible for the children. We also do workshops with the company so we have the kids working alongside the actors and they paraphrase sections from the play and pick up on plots.”

Shaddick says it’s important youngsters experience literacy in a fun way early on. “I think if kids have a positive introduction to Shakespeare when they’re young it makes it easier to understand when they’re older.  “Children of all nationalities enjoy it. Because it’s made so up to date and visual and exciting, it’s appealing to all. “Shakespeare looked at loads of things that are happening nowadays - betrayal, jealousy, friendship, things that children can understand and relate to.”

For tickets or more information on the show visit www.ductac.org or phone 04 341 4777. There is a special charity performance at 4pm on Thursday in aid of children with cancer.

Complete the following well known Shakespeare quotes

* The lady doth ….. too much

* If ….. be the food of love, play on

* What a piece of ….. a man

* ….. is such sweet sorrow

* A ….. by any other name would smell as sweet

* Such stuff  as ….. are made of

* All that ….. is not gold

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