OUTREACH SCHOOL TOURS
Our outreach tours bring Shakespeare alive for thousands of primary and secondary pupils, in schools that are located in some of the least advantaged parts of our region's communities. Completely free, these tours have been igniting a passion for Shakespeare since 2016.
THE PLAY'S THE THING - Secondary Schools Tour Autumn 2023
"This will be the only experience of live theatre that some of our students have ever had. Many of them will probably never see a production of Shakespeare again." Sunbury Manor School
Now in its 6th year, The Play's The Thing visits secondary schools in Surrey with a high proportion of socially and economically less advantaged young people.
Any school is eligible to receive this for FREE if they have an above average number of students eligible for pupil premium (free school meals), or are below the national average of students achieving a strong pass (grade 5 or above) in English and Maths GCSE.
The tour comprises a live production of Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet, a Q&A with the cast and a follow-up workshop. It provides GCSE students with professional insight at a crucial point of their academic life, provoking discussion and stimulating further ideas for classroom study.
“The workshops were again pitched perfectly for the audience. We liked the way that they enabled every student to have an opinion on various aspects of the play - even those students that have struggled with it.” Sue Barker, English & Maths Technician, Woking High School
Check out our YouTube playlists for some of the films we've made of previous tours MACBETH | ROMEO & JULIET
Autumn 2023 Tour
This year the tour will be criss-crossing Surrey, and dipping our toes into Hampshire, meeting and working with pupils and teachers at the following schools:
Broadwater School, Godalming | Christ College, Guildford | Three Rivers, Walton-on-Thames | Farnham Heath End, Farnham | Woolmer Hill, Haslemere | Carrington School, Redhill | Woking High School, Woking | Therfield School, Leatherhead | Cobham Free School, Cobham | Ash Manor, Aldershot | Kings College, Guildford | De Stafford School, Caterham | Alderwood Senior School, Aldershot | Fullbrook School, Addlestone | Sunbury Manor School, Sunbury-on-Thames
This year the same tour will also visit schools in the London Borough of Richmond (hosted by The Orange Tree Theatre), Berkshire (hosted by Reading Rep Theatre), and the British International School in The Hague.
The Play's The Thing has, for the 6th year running, been made possible through funding from The Geoff Herrington Foundation, and for 2023 is co-produced with The Orange Tree Theatre.
DELIGHT IN SHAKESPEARE - Primary Schools Tour
We've been working with Delight Charity since 2016, bringing Shakespeare alive for primary school children, their parents and teachers through an especially created programme of performances, workshops and Artsmark accreditation.
Delight's ethos echoes our own - "Our vision is for every child to have an equal opportunity to thrive during their school years and beyond, whatever their starting point or background." - and the effect of our collaboration has made a significant impact on the lives of the participants: 72% of children eligible for pupil premium increased their sense of self-worth.
For many pupils this is their only chance to see live theatre. In 2022 we visited 10 schools in Surrey.
“I thought the project was unbelievable. I learnt to say my words clearly. I liked that we all supported and helped each other.” Participant
The 7-week programme kicks off with a professional show of a Shakespeare play in each school. The subsequent 6 weeks includes follow-up workshops with GSC actors and teachers, culminating with a performance by the children for their families. The children are invited on stage to play many of the roles and even the teachers aren’t safe. Teachers are also supported through additional CPD training, developing confidence teaching the subject and new skills.
“It feels amazing to be performing and it makes me happy to put a smile on people's faces.” Participant
2022/2023 TOUR
Our 2022/23 programme with Delight in Shakespeare ran from 3 January - 3 March 2023, and focused on Macbeth for Year 5 (9-10 yrs old). We're thrilled to have had a wonderful company of actors and artistic team to work on this inspiring tour.
CONTACT
If you would like more information, please contact us or call the office 01483 301590.
HOW TO SUPPORT US
If you would like to support our outreach programme please email Kerrie Driscoll our Creative Learning Producer, or call 01483 301590.
