Kidz play for Ben

As he prepared for the opening of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Carshalton actor Ben Goodridge speaks to Go! about the fun of working with Julian Chenery’s renowned theatre company, Shakespeare 4 Kidz.

Their autumn production opens at the Dorking Halls on October 7 and moves to the Fairfield Halls in Croydon the following month with four shows.

This is his third year of playing with S4K for Ben, 35, who has been a professional actor for the last decade.

He said: “A lot of people say they don’t like Shakespeare because it’s too difficult to grasp. The S4K shows are generally aimed at 7-12 year olds but you do see adults enjoying it too because the way we do it is that little bit more accessible and understandable.

“For parents it’s a great way to get their kids into theatre but it’s good to come for their own enjoyment as well.

“The reaction we get from the kids is fantastic, it makes all the preparation and rehearsing worthwhile.”

When previously with S4K Ben has played Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Banquo in Macbeth and Sebastian in The Tempest.

“I’ve had a great time doing it and it’s actually been my first experience of doing Shakespeare,” said Ben who is playing Snug in the new production.

“Snug gets to pay the lion within the play in the play at the end, which makes it a really fun role. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is certainly a more fun show to be in and for the kids to watch. There’s more comedy going on and the kids take to the characters better than some of the characters in the tragedies like Macbeth,” he added.

The show uses an original musical score and a lot of bigger speeches in the plays are put into song.

“When they’re delivered through music and movement it’s a lot easier for children to take in,” said Ben, who feels many children are missing out on live theatre.

He said: “Kids these days don’t get to experience a lot of live theatre what with things like the internet and video games being around. It can be really beneficial to expose kids to the theatre rather than just putting them in front of the television.”

He is looking forward to the show’s opening in Dorking and then coming to Croydon, where he’ll have friends and family attending. “They’ve seen me a good few times so it’s no added pressure. It’s nice for them to come along and give me support.”

Afterwards there are other dates lined up for Ben, who will go with the Surrey-based S4K to Dubai and other Arab states where the company has had huge success.

“They don’t have a lot of theatre that is the same style as ours over there so it goes down really well,” said Ben, who at the end of the UK run will be learning his lines for his part in pantomime.

Tickets £16, children £10. One adult free with every 10 children.

Dorking Halls performances are at 1.30 and 7.30 on Thursday October 7 and 10 and 1.30 on Friday October 8. Box office: 01306 881717 or www.dorkinghalls.co.uk

Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon on Wednesday November 3 at 1.30 and 7.30, Thursday November 4 at 10 and 1.30. 0208 688 9291 or www.fairfield.co.uk