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Romeo and Juliet
The most famous love story.
After school on Monday 16 July 2018, a group of our (new) Year 10 pupils and their English teachers travelled to Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of Shakespeare, to watch the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Romeo and Juliet.
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"What if your first true love was someone you’d been told to hate? Ripped apart by the bitter divisions of their parents, two young people will risk everything to be together. The most famous story of love at first sight explodes with intense passion and an irresistible desire for change. Will this spark a revolution or will division continue to tear through generations?" RSC |
Our Year 9 pupils study Shakespeare’s classic tragedy as part of the curriculum and having the opportunity to bring Shakespeare’s tale of young love to life was definitely worth the late return to Cirencester. That coupled with a close encounter with a curious swan!
The play was fast-paced, modern and relevant for young people today. An excellent example of how Shakespeare’s ideas are still prevalent in society. The production was a daring move away from tradition with bold casting choices and a largely young and diverse company. We were particularly taken with a female Mercutio who, as Romeo’s best friend, challenged the Elizabethan notions of masculinity.
The following morning two of our weary pupils commented:
“The play was an amazing experience and wasn’t like anything I’ve ever been to. I really enjoyed it!” Oscar
“It was a really good opportunity because we get to see what we have been studying on stage. The modern take on it made it really interesting and now I understand the play more.” Hazel
This RSC production of Romeo and Juliet currently in Stratford-upon-Avon will transfer to the Barbican in London from November 2018 to January 2019, before going on a national tour until March 2019.
In December 2017, some of our now new Year 10s when studying Romeo and Juliet were able to take part in a court case, to find out who should be found guilty for Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. This alternative look at the play reinforced their understanding of the characters and their actions.
