National Theatre brings Shakespeare to Tameside schools

PUPILS from a number of Tameside schools are to enjoy world class performances of the Shakespeare play Hamlet performed by the prestigious National Theatre.

The programme, organised in partnership with Tameside Council, and its Arts and Engagement team, will include practical workshops, to introduce children to Shakespeare –including plot, characters and language - in a fun and interactive way. The workshops will begin on the 6 February and will run until the end of the week. The National Theatre are also delivering a session for Tameside teachers.

Primary schools taking part in the workshop opportunity are:

• Holden Clough Community Primary School
• Dowson Primary Academy
• Gee Cross Holy Trinity Primary School
• Livingstone Primary and Nursery School
• Micklehurst All Saints CE Primary School
• Oasis Academy Broadoak
• Hurst Knoll Primary School
• St. George’s Primary School
• St. Joseph’s Primary School
• St. Christopher’s RC Primary School
• Moorside Primary Academy
• Greenside Primary School
• Manchester Road Primary Academy
• St. Mary’s CE Primary School

The Arts and Engagement team also worked with the National Theatre to co create an Arts Award discover log which selected year 7 students from the host secondary schools will complete linked to the performance.

While 65-minute performances of Hamlet, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A with the company, produced by The National Theatre, will run in the host secondary schools from 14 February to 17 February. The secondary schools that are participating include Great Ashton Academy, Alder Community High School, Droylsden Academy, and Mossley Hollins High School.

As a result of The National Theatre’s work, 1,200 pupils across Tameside will get the chance to experience Hamlet through high quality acting.

Cllr Sangita Patel, Assistant Executive Member - Culture, Heritage & Digital Inclusivity, said: “It is very exciting to know we will soon be welcoming the National Theatre to Tameside. We will treasure this occasion, as it allows the pupils to witness a renowned performance that has been carried through generations. It is important for children to witness practical versions of literature to allow them to gain a wider understanding of the art of literature.”

Cllr Leanne Feeley, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Education, Achievement and Equalities, said: “We are delighted and proud to host The National Theatre here in Tameside. It is such a wonderful opportunity for the pupils of all the schools involved to participate in such a stimulating version of the well-known play, Hamlet. I hope this will further inspire the children to continue to explore literature and find joy in doing so.”