Shakespeare with youthful attitude

SEE the most famous love story ever told in an energetic and moving musical which is perfect for teenagers.
Shakespeare 4 Kidz – the British theatre company that specialises in fun-filled musical adaptations of the bard's classics – brings Romeo And Juliet to Peterborough's Broadway Theatre, on Tuesday, 11 November.

The company's "music theatre Shakespeare" style is a combination of Shakespearean and modern-day English, along with some unforgettable songs and dances.

It allows theatre-lovers of all ages to enjoy Shakespeare with no fear of being unable to understand the language.

Julian Chenery is the chief executive, director and co-writer of all the adapted productions.

So far, the repertoire includes A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, The Tempest and Romeo and Juliet.

When he left school he went straight to work as a share trader on the floor of the London Stock Exchange.

In the late '80s the financial climate was as unstable as it is today – he lost his job three times in quick succession, once only finding out when he read about it in the paper on his way to work.

So he set about thinking of a change of career and doing something he loved. It would have to be sport or the theatre.

He said: "I wasn't good enough to be a sportsman, but I was good at performing and writing."

He and his writing partner, Matt Gimblett, had already written a few short pieces for local schools.

When a commission called What Did You Do In The War, Grandad? met with critical acclaim, Julian decided that theatre was the way to go.

And so the seed of an idea of producing Shakespeare shows for young audiences germinated, took root, and grew into the successful business it is today.

Romeo And Juliet is the most famous love story in the world, and it is brought to life in a vibrant, fun-filled, manner in this production.

It is perfect for those studying Shakespeare at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3, and especially useful for GCSE pupils wishing to clearly understand this famous classic.

Read the original article from the Peterborough Evening Telegraph online at PeterboroughToday.co.uk