It was Shakespeare's would-be 460th birthday on Tuesday 23rd April and pupils at Skegness Junior Academy celebrated by taking part in a special performance of Romeo and Juliet where they performed alongside actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)!
In a reworking of the Prince of Verona’s role, 10 young people from Year 4 at Skegness Junior Academy performed as members of the Prince’s counsel alongside the professional RSC actors. Together, the Prince and his counsel attempted to restore the peace whilst representing what could have happened if young people were the decision makers.
Head of School, Mr Jacklin, said: “I'm thrilled that our children at Skegness Junior Academy got to experience the RSC performance of Romeo and Juliet! It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our children to be involved in the timeless tale of love and tragedy brought to life on stage by the RSC.”
Commenting on the production, Director, Philip J Morris, said: “As relevant today as it was 400 years ago. the play’s enduring appeal lies in its subject matter; from the intoxication of first love to the tension between misguided allegiances and rebellion.
"The impulse of youth and pressure to choose sides leads to a senseless loss of life that is a familiar narrative today with knife-crime on the rise and record numbers of young people seeking support for their mental health.
"These are some of the most challenging but persistent issues of our time and we hope that our production can help shine a light on the need to engage in difficult but urgent conversations.”
The show’s creative team includes Philip J Morris (Director), Ebrahim Nazier (Designer), Vicki Igokwe-Ozoagu (Movement) Bethan Clark (Fights) and Robin Belfield (Dramaturg).
Local people were treated to a finale production at the Embassy Theatre on Thursday 25th April, featuring 10 pupils from Skegness Junior Academy.
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