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Shakespeare has a funny way of permeating all aspects of life, and you probably know more Shakespeare than you think. For instance, The Lion King is based on Shakespeare, while & Juliet is one of a myriad of leading musicals based on the work of England’s Bard. Also, if you’ve spent some time in London’s West End, it’s likely that you’ve passed some of William’s haunts, bet it the Southbank Globe or the streets surrounding the Barbican. Here, we find out more about Shakespeare’s influence on London theatre, thanks to Lucy Cuthbertson, Co-Director of Education at Shakespeare’s Globe.
The importance of The Globe’s education department
The education department within The Globe theatre is focused on providing learning opportunities to young people and adults alike. The department puts on events during term time and the school holidays, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. There are also higher education options for people looking to further their understanding of Shakespeare, with an MA in collaboration with Kings College London on the table.
The summer calendar
In 2022, The Globe’s education team had a number of innovative and engaging events, with the full-scale family show – Midsummer Mechanicals – attracting a significant amount of interest. It has been produced to be a much lighter take on one of Shakespeare’s most well-known tales, and the comedic element particularly appeals to children and young people studying the Bard’s work for the first time. The Globe also puts on summer schools for children, providing them with opportunities to get involved in acting for the first time.
The challenges of Shakespeare
Anyone who has read one of Shakespeare’s plays will admit to struggling with the content. So, introducing children to Britain’s most famous playwright comes with lots of challenges. But The Globe is committed to portraying Shakespeare’s plays in a much more family-friendly way, ensuring that children of all ages can engage with the plot and understand the key themes and messages within the production. In most instances, children are really good at latching onto themes and moods, which helps them understand some of the nuances within Shakespeare’s productions.
Why Shakespeare remains relevant today
We tend to fall into the trap of assuming that Shakespeare must be introduced to children without questioning why. But in reality, his plays have endured all of these years because they are adaptable and have themes that can transcend the different times in which they’re revered. As we have seen from the myriad productions over the years, you can get creative with Shakespeare and adapt his work in any way that you see fit. This ensures his work remains relevant in the present day and isn’t another name lost in history.
The Globe is a special place
One of the reasons why Shakespeare at The Globe is so special is that it’s a venue that has reconstructed what things were like back in Shakespeare’s day. Most people experience The Globe as a unique and wonderfully enriching theatre venue, which perfectly complements some of the more modern venues that make up London’s West End.
With OLT’s sale underway on the 6th December at 10am, you’ll be able to catch a Shakespeare classic in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, showing at the Duke Of York’s Theatre. Have you got a Mastercard? Get exclusive early access to the sale through priceless.com, where tickets go on sale from 10am on Thursday 24 November.
So, whether you’re inspired to watch a classic Shakespearean production or a unique take on a family favourite movie, check out what shows are currently on in London’s West End. After all, a trip to the theatre today is as rewarding as it was during Shakespearean England.
