The Societas Trust pupils take to the stage for the Children’s Shakespeare Festivals

 

Primary school pupils from The Societas Trust have taken to the stage as part of an educational arts project that aims to develop confidence and wellbeing.

Around 400 pupils from nine schools at the Trust, along with other schoolchildren from across Stoke-on-Trent, have performed at the New Vic Theatre.

The Children’s Shakespeare Festivals are organised by North West Drama and combine classroom activity and learning with performances including acting and singing on professional stages.

Aimed at children in Year 5, the project seeks to raise aspirations and increase confidence, wellbeing and interest in the arts, and runs in different parts of the country.

This year’s choice of play is Hamlet, which explores the themes of revenge, honour, life and death.

Children are initially taught about the play in the classroom as part of the English curriculum and rewrite sections of it based on their own interpretation of the material. 

They then go onto take part in performances of their interpretation of the play at prestigious theatres alongside pupils from other schools.

The audiences comprise parents and carers, pupils, teachers and governors. Performances took place on 10th, 18th and 19th March.

Jon Lovatt, Chief Executive Officer, The Societas Trust, said: “We are committed to inspiring our pupils to fulfil their potential.

“Taking part in the Children’s Shakespeare Festivals has provided them with a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the arts, enhance their creativity, confidence and communication skills, and gain an understanding of the issues explored in the plays.”

Amy Darby, Class Teacher at Ash Green Primary Academy, said: “The children have absolutely shone by taking on the roles. We have seen sides of the children that we have not seen before with a real improvement in confidence.”

Matt Wardle, Creative Producer, North West Drama, said: “Giving children an opportunity to immerse themselves in the arts and progress to performing on a professional stage helps them to learn a lot about themselves. They see and experience different sides of themselves, which develops aspirations and confidence, and realise that they can achieve a lot if they set their mind to it.

“Taking part in a play also helps to develop other qualities such as empathy as the children immerse themselves in the storylines and experience characters from different points of view. As part of the project, we also skill up teachers so they can work with drama in the classroom where a lot of the preparation begins.”

Sonay, 10, from Ash Green Primary Academy, said: “I really enjoyed the story. It’s fun and there’s some unexpected twists and turns. It felt really exciting and also nerve wracking taking part. But we did a lot in rehearsals so I knew I could act on stage. I put lots of pride into it and learnt my lines off by heart. I feel a lot more confident with acting now.”

Emilia, 10, from Ash Green Primary Academy, added: “It was an incredible feeling knowing we were going on stage with children from lots of other schools. Our teacher has been wonderful and creative, and really helped us. It’s really given me a boost of confidence.”

Maya, 9, from Ash Green Primary Academy, commented: “I felt a mix of nerves as well as joy and excitement. Taking part in this play has brought us all together as friends.”

Georgie, 9, from Alsager’s Bank Primary Academy, said: “It’s been really exciting to dive deep into this play and I have loved performing. I really enjoy learning about Shakespeare. It’s been brilliant and really fun.”

Ben, 10, from Gladstone Primary Academy, added: “I have enjoyed the story, having lines to learn and acting out all of those moments.”

Evelyn, 10, from Gladstone Primary Academy, explained: “It has brought the class together as we have had to learn teamwork when working on the scenes. The play is exciting as well as a bit intense.”

Liam, 10, from Goldenhill Primary Academy, said: “It’s been a great experience. I was like: ‘Yes, I’m playing a bad guy’ even though I am not bad in real life.”

Brooke, 9, from Goldenhill Primary Academy, added: “Our teacher really helped us with remembering our lines. I want to be an actor so it’s been a good experience being in a show.”

The Societas Trust schools that took part were Alsagers Bank Primary Academy, Ash Green Primary Academy, Ball Green Primary Academy, Burnwood Primary Academy, Carmountside Primary Academy, Ellison Primary Academy, Gladstone Primary Academy, Goldenhill Primary Academy and Summerbank Primary Academy.