Murder Most Foul!

Out, out, brief candle!

Out, out, brief candle!

Taking on Shakespeare for the first time can be a daunting task. “I-yam-bik what?” is sometimes the collective cry from young pupils. On Thursday, 27th September two very talented people came in to help open up the mysteries of Dunsinane Castle like a marching Birnam Wood…er…would.

Shakespeare 4 Kidz direct the pupils through their own mini-production of Macbeth, feeding them their lines (modern language mixed in with important quotes from the play); it opened up the play in a way that simply reading the play never could. By participating, the pupils stayed engaged and were drawn into the dark dealings of wicked witches and murderous lords.

Appropriately enough for the Scottish play, Fergus Carmichael took the part of Macbeth and showed good empathy with the torment in the main character, as his ambition wrestles with his conscience. Other people seemed to have handed in CVs before the start, as pupil after pupil was given a part perfectly suited to them. Sebastian Jenks played a fierce Macduff, while Genevieve Hirst showed an evil streak as Lady MacBeth. Roddy Giles, Sasha Worrell and Hannah Brindley played the three cackling crones. Everyone played their part even if it was to make the sound effects of James Pires’ invisible galloping horse.

Shakespeare 4 Kidz was certainly “full of sound and fury” but signified much to the children.

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The messenger (James) on his magnificent invisible horse.
The messenger (James) on his magnificent invisible horse.
The whole cast get involved.
The whole cast get involved.
 

Tags: English, Events, Prep