New Theatre, Hull - January 2003
 
Culture was the name of the game for a group of high school pupils last week, as they took a trip to see a modern interpretation of a Shakespeare play. Six teachers and 43 Year Nine pupils from Withernsea High School made the journey to Hull New Theatre last Wednesday evening to see the Shakespeare 4 Kidz adaptation of Macbeth.

This theatre company is at the forefront of creative Shakespeare education in the UK, bringing the work of our greatest playwright to children of all ages and ability levels in a unique and accessible way. The company aim to make Shakespeare understandable to all, and teachers at the school hope that the play will help pupils succeed in forthcoming exams.

"It's all about raising achievement at Key Stage Three English," said Mr Andy Spayne, an English teacher at the school. "We're trying to get all National Curriculum Level Four students at Level Five and above in the May SAT exam - we had 77 per cent at at least that level last year so we're aiming to better that."

Prior to the performance of 'The Scottish Play' students took part in a Set Scene Seminar, which involved actors hot-seating characters, a talk about how tension and suspense is created in the play and comments on how different scenes were directed. Students were also able to take the microphone and question the cast.

"This seminar informed students on how to get the best results in their Shakespeare exam," continued Mr Spayne. "Students also received a revision/resource pack that includes handouts, worksheets, tips on how to answer exam questions and information about what the examiners want from students."

"The performance and seminar were specifically designed to raise pupils to Level Five and above, as students received information about the set scenes they are studying in class and now have a greater understanding and knowledge" of the play."

Shakespeare's classic story follows a noble Scottish warrior who after hearing the prophecies of three witches, murders his way to the crown and fights to the death in an attempt to keep it. While this production does follow the storyline and remains true to the text, it transformed into a musical thriller - guaranteed to keep people of all ages on the edge of their seats.

"This was an absolutely amazing show which was educational. entertaining and accessible to young and old alike," added Mr Spayne. "The cast delivered a truly stupendous performance and received numerous ovations from the audience."