A groundbreaking collaboration is bringing theatre online and live straight into the classroom, to up to 3,000 UK schools for the World Shakespeare Festival.
A filmed version of I, Cinna (the poet), a new play written and directed by Tim Crouch will be streamed exclusively to schools around the UK on 2 July 2012.
The play tells the story of Julius Caesar through the eyes of Cinna the Poet. It will be followed by a live question and answer session with Tim Crouch and Jude Owusu, the actor playing Cinna.
Tim said: 'I, Cinna (the poet) gives voice to Shakespeare's unluckiest man. Cinna speaks less than 20 lines in Julius Caesar before being mistaken for the wrong person and torn to pieces by the mob.
'Now he gets a chance to speak for himself, to speak for his poetry and to a world that shows little interest in the minor characters.'
During the performance, Cinna will invite students to write poems with him. These can be reworked later, and sent to the RSC.
Teachers will be able to access the live broadcast on their computers and play through any projection device in the classroom.
I, Cinna (the Poet) is a collaboration between the Royal Shakespeare Company, project sponsor CISCO, digital media and design college Ravensbourne, and research and education network Janet.
It is the latest in a series of solo shows written by Tim Crouch inspired by Shakespeare's lesser characters, including I, Peaseblossom and I, Malvolio.
As well as the filmed version, there will be four performances on the RSC's Swan Theatre stage in Stratford-upon-Avon from 13 June – 6 July 2012.
Teachers who would like their school to take part can register their interest here
This project is made possible by CISCO with support of Ravensbourne and JANET.
