583 SCHOOL CHILDREN TAKE PART IN THE RSC's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
583 SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM THROUGHOUT THE UK JOIN THE RSC FOR A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM: A PLAY FOR THE NATION
A list of schools, names of children and the theatres they are performing in can be found at the end of this release.
583 children (aged between 6-12) from 28 schools throughout the UK will take to the stage in theatres in their areas as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s forthcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation.
Between February – July 2016, and as part of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, the RSC is staging one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies in a production that will visit theatres in all 12 nations and regions of the UK. In each area local school children will play the roles of Titania’s fairy train. In most areas, 30 children will be split into 3 teams of 10, appearing at alternating performances.
Directed by RSC Deputy Artistic Director, Erica Whyman, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation will feature 18 professional actors, who will be joined in each area by one of 14 different local amateur theatre companies who will play the six Mechanicals. Ayesha Dharker will take on the celebrated role of Titania, Queen of the Fairies, performing with the local schoolchildren and opposite the 14 amateur Bottoms cast from across the country.
Prior to the performances, members of the RSC Education and creative teams will visit the schools involved, rehearsing with the children. During the rehearsals the children will create their own very special fairy worlds, learn a fairy song and a specially devised dance routine, and explore the lines of text that they will perform in the show.
A number of the schools involved are part of the RSC’s Learning and Performance Network (LPN), the RSC’s long term partnership programme with schools, communities and theatres across the country. In areas where the RSC does not have an existing network of schools, the Company has worked with the local theatre to choose schools with which they already have a relationship.
Jacqui O’Hanlon, RSC Director of Education, said: "2016 is a very special year as we celebrate the legacy of a man whose work, 400 years on, is still studied and performed the world over. There are so many ways that schools can join in our celebrations throughout 2016 - big and small - but we are thrilled that for the first time schoolchildren from all over the UK will get the chance to appear alongside RSC actors as part of our 2016 touring production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. This anniversary year is about celebrating the legacy of our national poet, and the best way to do that is by opening Shakespeare up to everyone. Our Dream tour and the other initiatives we're announcing in 2016 will help us to do just that by giving as many children and young people as possible the best introduction to Shakespeare's work regardless of their background, where they live in the country, or what school they go to."
For more press information please contact:
Dean Asker, RSC Press and Communications Officer
01789 412660, 0778 9937759, dean.asker@rsc.org.uk
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
17 February – 5 March, www.rsc.org.uk, 01789 403493
Alveston C of E Primary School (performing in February)
Alessia, Alleigha, Bennett, Charlie, Daisy, Demileigh, Edward, Ellie, Florence C, Florence H, Freddie, Harry L, Harry S, Imogen, James, Jasmine, Jessica, Katie, Lauren, Lily, Logan, Megan, Mia, Millie, Oliver, Olivia, Sandra, Saskia, Sophie, Tomas
Bridgetown Primary School (performing in February)
Brooke, Callum, Charlotte, Eleanor, Erin, Eve H, Eve M, Evie, Freya, Hannah C, Hannah D, Isabella, Isabelle, Jonas, Kian, Martha H, Martha W, Phoebe, Tamsin, Zachary
St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School (performing in February/March)
Abigail, Connor, Daisy, Dan, Ella, Emma, Freya, George C, George M, Heidi, Henri, Jamie, Josie, Joshua, Jude, Julia, Katie, Klaudia, Lizzie, Lola, Luke, Niamh, Oliver H, Oliver M, Salvadore, Seraphia, Shannon, Vicky, William E, William L
The production returns to Stratford in June and July. The schools taking part then can be found at the end of this list.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, Northern Stage
16 – 26 March 2016, www.northernstage.co.uk, 0191 230 5151
Fairy train recruited in partnership with Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Learning Team
Sacred Heart Catholic High School
Alice, Angela, Anna, Anya, Charlize, Darina, Elaine, Ellie, Ellie-Mai, Francesca, Hannah D, Hannah M, Hollie, Ines, Katie, Ketsia, Latisha, Lauren, Lucy, Mackenzie, Madeleine, Megan, Millie, Molly, Natalia, Niamh, Rachel, Shania, Sharon, Thea
St Michael’s Primary RC Primary School
Abigail, Adam, Afza, Aimee, Ameerah, Amy, Andrew, Asaba, Caitlyn, Callista, Camilla, Eldana, Ella, Ellie, Fiza, Harrison, Idrees, Jagoda, Jasmine, Jessica, Jonny, Leighton, Lilly, Lucy, Maisha, Mirabelle, Samuel, Tahmid, Thomas, Urielle
GLASGOW, Citizens Theatre
29 March – 2 April 2016, www.citz.co.uk, 0141 429 0022
Shawlands Academy
Amelie, Anna, Bismah, Cali, Cara, Carla, Charlotte, Eilidh, Eva, Freya, Israela, Jacob, Joshua, Jyoti, Kate, Khadijah, Lucy, Luke, Matthew, Rahma, Rebecca, Robbie, Rosie, Sam, Sara, Sarah, Saxon, Sophie, Yussr, Zofia
BLACKPOOL, Grand Theatre
5-9 April 2016, www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk, 01253 290190
Larkholme Primary School
Adam, Adriyan, Alfie, Amelia C, Amelia P, Amelia V, Bethan, Charlie, Clayton, Ellie, Harlie, Hayley, Hollie, Jack C, Jack G, James, Jaydan, Joel, Kaci, Keira, Lewis, Liam, Lily, Lily-Jayne, Melody, Mia, Millie, Olivia, Sam D, Sam H
BRADFORD, Alhambra Theatre
12-16 April 2016, www.bradford-theatres.co.uk, 01274 432000
Samuel Lister Academy
Aaminah, Abdul, Adam B, Adam R, Ajay, Alhayna, Ali, Bradley, Dehleez, Fabian, Fatima D, Fatima Z, Fiza, Fizzah, Hamza, Haasan, Louis, Maisha, Mehroz, Muhammed, Nida, Paige, Rahees, Ridah, Saima, Sana, Sean, Shuaib, Sumiyaah, Zain A, Zain Z
CANTERBURY, Marlowe Theatre
19-23 April 2016, www.marlowetheatre.com, 01227 787787
King Ethelbert’s School
Alfie, Anise, Bethany, Bonnie, Cain, Charles, Chloe D, Chloe L, Chloe Z, Claire, Dylan, Ella, Ethan, Eva, Evie, Gemma, Jassica, Jody, Kaitlyn, Kiah, Lauren, Lilly, Macey, Megan, Paige, Poppy, Rowan, Savannah, Sian, Zarha
NORWICH, Theatre Royal
26-30 April 2016, www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk, 01603 630000
Sprowston High School
Aaron, Adelle, Alicia, Amelia, Annalise, Bethany, Bronwyn, Charlie, Chi, Cindy, Elena, Erin, Freya, Gemma, Georgia-Louise, Jacob, Jude, Kai, Kate, Lauren, Libby, Lily, Maia, Mega C, Megan G, Neve, Rebecca, Rosie, Ruby, Sophie
NOTTINGHAM, Theatre Royal
3-7 May 2016, www.trch.co.uk, 0115 989 5555
Ambleside Primary
Destine, Ese, Jayden, Marshall, Ruby
Hempshill Hall Primary
Ella R, Ella T, Isabelle, Owen, Tyarna
Old Basford
Connor, Courtney, Ella, Mofifoluwa, Thomas
Rosslyn Park Primary School
Emily, Ronnela, Shannon, Talisha, Tyrone
Whitemoor Academy
Amirah, Megan, Millie, Peyten, Roche
Heathfield School
Laceeya, Aidan, Lauren, Malachi, Sian
TRURO, Hall For Cornwall
10-14 May 2016, www.hallforcornwall.co.uk, 01872 262466
Launceston College
Abby, Anna, Becky, Chloe L, Chloe W, Daisy, Daisy-Mai, Ellie, Emily, Erin S, Erin S-P, Erin W, Grace, Hannah, Hattie, Hazel, Izzie, Izzy, Katrina, Laurel, Lucy, Megan B, Megan T, Mia, Molly, Myah, Suranne, Tallulah, Timothy
LONDON, Barbican
17-21 May 2016, www.barbican.org.uk, 020 7638 8891
Beam Primary
Amaka, Anna, Ayomide, Cezar, Freja, Jessica, Kai, Koryn, Naomi, Ravi
Eastbury Community School
Alfie, Amrit, Andreea, Farah, Fatou, Gypsy, Jaimerle, Jamil, Jasmine, Laura, Maleeha, Marina, Mohammed, Nataanman, Rebekah, Renaldo, Sadaf, Zainab
CARDIFF, New Theatre
24-28 May 2016, www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk, 029 2087 8889
Rumney Primary School
Amy, Brooke E, Brooke R, Charley, Daniel N, Daniel R, Ellie, Elyse, Emily, Ethan, Freya, Holly, Isobel, Izabella, Jamal, Luke, Lydia, Megan, Milo, Molly, Morgan, Neveah, Olivia B, Olivia M, Peaches, Rebecca Ca, Rebecca Cr, Ruby-Tuesday, Thomas, Zachary
BELFAST, Grand Opera House
31 May – 4 June 2016, www.goh.co.uk, 028 9024 1919
St Malachy’s College
Anthony, Ben, Brendan, Caomhin, Christopher, Ciaran, Conal, Conall, Daniel G, Daniel M, Darragh C, Darragh M, Declan, Emmet, Eoin, Garric, Jack, Johnny, Joseph, Joshua, Jude, Kevin, Killian, Luke, Matthew, Noah, Oisin, Patrick, Ryan, Thomas
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
15 June – 16 July, www.rsc.org.uk, 01789 403493
Stratford-upon-Avon Primary School (performing in June)
Annabelle, Benjamin, Chloe, Danai, Edie, Esme, Eve, Hannah, Isaiah, Jasmine, Jessica, Joe, Joshua, Liam, Libby, May, Megan, Oriana, Tess, William
Bishopton Primary School (performing in June)
Alex D, Alex J, Alice, Andrew, Bonnie, Charlie, Dominik, Elli, Harriet, Jack, Jedrzej, Jess, Katie, Kerry, Kieran, Matthew, Sara, Shara, Spencer, Zofia
Shottery St Andrew’s C of E Primary School (performing in June)
Beatrice, Bianka, Cole, Daisy, Elena, Ella, Emily, Euan, Frankie, George, Grace, Harry, Henrikas, Isobel, Jack, Joy, Leaf, Lieren, Lola, Lucy M, Lucy R, Samuel, Sarah-Ann, Woodrow
Thomas Jolyffe Primary School (performing in June and July)
Adam, Cyan, Ewan, Ishan, Karina, Kirsty, Leela, Lola-Rose, Luciana, Maya, Mia, Nathan, Nidhi, Paulina, Poppy F, Poppy W, Rafferty, Ryan D, Ryan S, Zach
The Willows C of E Primary School (performing in July)
Abi, Abigail, Albert, Amber, Ben, Cai, Emma, Esme, Isabelle, Issac, Kieron, Lily, Mischa, Oliver, Ruth, Sam P, Sam W, Skye, Tess, Will
Christ Church Church of England Primary School, Birmingham (performing in July)
20 children will take part – names to be announced
Welcombe Hills School (performing in July)
Alice, Bazzie, Ben, Chloe, Ellis, Harriet, Harry, Henry, Holli, Ian, Iyeasha, Jack, Leon, Lewis, Lydia, Olivia, Ryan K, Ryan W, Sasha, Simon
Notes to editors
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation is a co-production between the Royal Shakespeare Company and amateur theatre companies across the UK. This is an arrangement developed between the RSC and Equity.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation is supported by Arts Council England Cross-Border Touring Fund
The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION and THE KOVNER FOUNDATION.