Young People's Shakespeare
RSC throws doors open to young people for YPS Week.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is running a special week of Young People's Shakespeare (YPS) events in Stratford-upon-Avon from 10- 14 October.
Each day there will be a performance of The Taming of the Shrew, directed and adapted for young people in the Swan Theatre, followed by a post show event.
Around 2,000 young people will see performances and take part in activities, which for many could be their first taste of theatre and their first experience of seeing Shakespeare live.
Other highlights of YPS Week are:
- Art installation – theatre designer Lily Arnold has designed a 3D chapel to sit at the top of the Colonnade (the front of house area connecting the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan), featuring cut out figures of Katharina and Petruchio (The Taming of the Shrew). Audience members are invited to write their views on these characters. Stratford College students will work on the installation throughout the week.
- A taste of front of house – students from Stratford College will work with the RSC's Front of House teams to meet and greet young audiences as they arrive at the theatre, shadowing the team throughout the week.
- Broadcast news – BBC journalist George Alagiah will work with students, making a news programme reporting on the RSC activities that were most significant for young audiences during the past 12 months
- Fighting Words – this digital playwriting project aims to inspire students to write a scene between two characters based on the 'sparring' of Katharina and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew. On each day of YPS week, a short film will be uploaded to the RSC website, guiding students on a particular moment and writing skills. More information on Fighting Words.
YPS Week at the RSC