What resources are there?
As well as video clips. photo galleries and interviews, most plays have a plot synopsis, performance history, games and teachers' notes.
What are the teachers' notes?
Most plays have a set of downloadable notes for use in the classroom or any large clear space. The notes are pdf files so you may save and print them easily. If you don't have pdf reader software, you can download it free at the Adobe Reader website.
A Midsummer Night's Dream [330K]
Antony and Cleopatra [350K]
King Lear [508K]
Julius Caesar [400K]
Much Ado About Nothing [630K]
Richard III [716K]
Romeo and Juliet [370K]
The Tempest [560K]
The Winter's Tale [690K]
The suggested activities for students reflect the work done in the rehearsal rooms and usually go with the video clip(s) of staged scenes from the play. We have designed the activities to help students experience the play in their own terms while supporting their ability to use the language of Shakespeare. The emphasis is on the interpretative choices made by a production in order to encourage students to have confidence in making their own creative judgements.
Who are the activities for?
The practical activities in the teachers' notes should be useful for a wide range of students (or group members). For individuals, they are a further insight into rehearsal room practice. The most suitable Key Stage is indicated above each activity.
Do you have any activities for other Shakespeare plays?
Download our set of activities which can be used to begin working on any play:
General teachers' notes [160K]
You will be able to find ideas for teaching English and Drama from any of the sets of Teachers' Notes here.
Do you run workshops on teaching Shakespeare?
Yes - in an RSC Learning workshop you'll learn how to use theatre-based techniques to teach Shakespeare. For more information on RSC Learning events, courses and workshops, please visit: ww.rsc.org.uk/learning.
Can you suggest websites for Shakespeare teaching and/or research resources?
Download our Internet Resources guide written by Dr Christie Carson, a senior lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London:
Internet resources guide [254K]
How can I research past productions?
- A full list RSC productions, with details of cast and production team, can be found in the RSC Performance Database on the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust website.
Visit the RSC Pictures and Exhibitions website. Here you can browse online exhibitions about plays and search for photos from past productions. Also, try the Interpretation Games for each play on this website, where you're challenged to match photos and reviews for past productions.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us.
