Much ado about Shakespeare

Friday 20th November 2015

Over the last couple of weeks, 11 of our London schools and two of our Portsmouth schools participated in the Shakespeare Schools Festival 2015. From a 1940s themed Queen Lear to Much Ado About Nothing set to a Madonna soundtrack, to a Twelfth Night involving Space Hoppers, we witnessed fantastic performances from our talented students.

Sarah from Ark Brunel played Lady Macbeth, she said “it was scary, but when we got on stage, the lights meant that you couldn't see beyond the first row. I'm glad that I did it and am proud of myself."

Jessica from Ark Franklin played Malvolio in their production of Twelfth Night, she said "I really enjoyed doing a Shakespeare play. My teachers helped me to be confident on stage and to project my voice."

The Shakespeare Schools Festival works with over 1,000 schools providing pupils with the opportunity to perform on a professional stage, in front of an audience.

A few weeks before the final performances, students came together at All Saints Academy to take part in workshops led by Shakespeare Schools Festival to help and support the casts perfect and practice their performances.

Ark Elvin performing The Tempest.

Ark Academy performing Othello.

Ark Burlington Danes performing King Lear.

Walworth performing Much Ado About Nothing.

Ark Brunel performing Macbeth.

Ark Franklin performing The Tempest.

Bolingbroke performing Twelfth Night.

Isaac Newton performing Macbeth.

Ark John Keats performing The Merchant of Venice.

Ark Putney performing Julius Caesar

Ark All Saints performing Macbeth.