Shakespeare 4 Kidz - GIBRALTAR Press Release

Spring Festival – Romeo and Juliet

The Ministry of Culture is delighted to announce the return of the award-winning British theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidz to the Rock this month with their exciting, entertaining and critically acclaimed adaptation of “Romeo & Juliet”.

The story of the star-crossed lovers is the most famous in the world. It’s been retold in countless ways since Shakespeare first put his play on stage some 400 years ago but never has it been told in the same fun-filled, rock and roll way which Shakespeare 4 Kidz promise. Bursting with lively music, comedy, modern language and choreography, the show has great appeal for a family audience. Although all S4K plays are aimed at young audiences and help immeasurably when it comes to studying Shakespeare’s works in greater depth, adults usually find they love their shows too.

The Minister for Culture, the Hon. Edwin J Reyes says, “It gives me great personal joy to see that once again, as part of the Gibraltar Spring Festival, we have been able to include another of William Shakespeare’s well-known plays – this time “Romeo and Juliet”. Thanks to the skilled production by “Shakespeare 4 Kidz” our local pupils will be able to enrich themselves with a better understanding of drama”.
Once again, The Bonita Trust is the main sponsor of the event and is joined by The John Mackintosh Educational Trust and Restsso. Their contribution means that all schoolchildren in years 5 to 10 will see the show for free during the day.

Ruth Parasol DeLeon, member of International Advisory Board of The Bonita Trust commented, “We are delighted to be able to combine education and culture for the children of Gibraltar which will be an invaluable and unforgettable experience for them. In particular, the children of the Bonita Trust’s We Care programme are being rewarded for their excellent work they do in our Community”

“Romeo & Juliet” will run from Tuesday 16th June through to Friday 19th June at the John Mackintosh Hall with two shows during the day for schoolchildren in years 5 to 10, with the exception of Thursday 18th June, when there will be one public performance at 8pm. Tickets for this will go on sale at the Piazza (Main Street side) on Wednesday 3rd June between 11am and 2pm and thereafter at Blands Travel Services in Market Lane. All tickets for the evening performance are priced at £10. Organiser Ros Astengo of Stagestruck Productions explains “Last year, many adults expressed a wish to see the show so this year we are giving them the opportunity to enjoy what promises to be a truly memorable and exceptional production of “Romeo & Juliet”. The show is suitable for children as young as 8 so parents can bring them along to the evening performance. However, there are only limited seats so I would advise the public to buy their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment”.

The show has already toured the UK and Middle East to much critical acclaim. The Times newspaper has hailed it as “The Number 1 Show for kids” and What’s on Stage advises ‘If your child gets the chance to see one of their productions, do not hesitate. It could be the start of a lifelong passion.’ However, perhaps more importantly, the show has made a strong impact on its young audiences everywhere. One year 6 student in the UK who saw the show said “The scenery was brilliant. I really loved the costumes and how you have put it into a modern day version. When the musical started the atmosphere was wow! The worst part was the interval.”

Many of last year’s cast of “The Tempest” are returning to Gibraltar this year, however Romeo & Juliet, played by Neil Toon and Sarah Gimblett are newcomers to the Rock. Neil is an experienced TV actor whose West End credits include lead roles in “Les Miserables” & “Hairspray” and Sarah is a recent graduate of the Central School of Speech and Drama, although no newcomer to Shakespeare being the daughter of Shakespeare 4 Kidz co-writer Matt Gimblett. In an appropriately romantic twist, both Neil and Sarah’s fathers were born in Gibraltar and the two young actors are especially thrilled to be performing here.

Tickets go on sale at the Piazza (Main Street side) on Wednesday 3rd June from 11am to 2pm and thereafter from Blands Travel Services in Market Lane priced at £10. Please note all schoolchildren in years 5 to 10 will see the show free during school hours.

What they say about us:
S4K HAMLET: "I was one of 4 teachers and 8 parents who took 90 Y5 and Y6 children to see Hamlet at The Sands Centre, Carlisle today (21.9.07). We have seen previous plays by S4K and thought they were great however today's performance of Hamlet was superb and surpassed them all! The whole cast were excellent and the children were enthralled throughout. Many of our children will never experience anything like that except through school and your company told the story with clarity, skill and humour to give them a trip to remember. Many thanks and much appreciation."

What they say about us:

S4K HAMLET: "I was one of 4 teachers and 8 parents who took 90 Y5 and Y6 children to see Hamlet at The Sands Centre, Carlisle today (21.9.07). We have seen previous plays by S4K and thought they were great however today's performance of Hamlet was superb and surpassed them all! The whole cast were excellent and the children were enthralled throughout. Many of our children will never experience anything like that except through school and your company told the story with clarity, skill and humour to give them a trip to remember. Many thanks and much appreciation."