Director Robin Belfield talks about our approach to introducing Shakespeare to children, and why everyone should take young people's theatre seriously.
This month, our First Encounters production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, aimed at a younger audience, tours schools and theatres around the country.
The show is directed by Robin Belfield, a writer, director and educator who is passionate about developing new talent. He's currently our Head of National Partnerships, but has worked with theatres and drama schools across the country including the National Theatre, Watermill Theatre, Dukes Theatre Lancaster, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Oxford School of Drama.
Robin says: "I think the reason that theatre for young people isn’t taken seriously enough is because as a society we don’t take young people seriously enough. That creates a vicious cycle, which ends up with chronic underinvestment in theatre for young people and assumptions that what is aimed at young people is somehow less valuable, less clever and less worthwhile. Theatre for young audiences is some of the most important work we do – arguably the most important work that we do.
"If we want a sustainable industry in the future then it is essential that we create theatre lovers and audiences of the future. There is, quite rightly, a lot of focus on feeding the talent pipeline in terms of developing the practitioners, actors and creatives of tomorrow. But for theatre to survive and thrive we also need people who will come and watch and who will feel at home and at ease in our spaces."
The work we undertake with schools and communities is a central part of the company. We believe that every young person, regardless of where they live or their background, should have the opportunity to see live theatre.
Robin explains: "There are still too many barriers that prevent people, and especially young people, from feeling like the work we do is for them. By taking our work directly into schools and theatres across the country, we hope we can overcome some of those hurdles and encourage a lifelong love of theatre and Shakespeare."
Our First Encounters productions are created to give seven to 13-year-olds a fantastic first experience of Shakespeare whilst also being brilliant introductions for anyone new to his work. Using edited versions of the original language, they bring the plays to life on stage in just 90 minutes.
