Shakespeare and
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Shakespeare

This term we have been learning about Shakespeare’s life and works. How many plays did Shakespeare write and what kinds of plays did he write? We have discovered that Shakespeare wrote Comedies, Histories and Tragedies, as well as poems and sonnets. We have looked at Shakespeare’s style of writing and have been learning about elaborate metaphors, imagery and Iambic Pentameter - the beat of the 16th Century!

As well as learning about Shakespeare’s early life in Stratford-Upon-Avon, we have learnt about London in Elizabethan times. The children have thought about, discussed and compared how London is very different today from London in Elizabethan times.




The children have also discovered that Shakespeare lived and worked in some of the areas in London with which they are familiar, for example, Shoreditch and Bishopsgate. In Shoreditch, the first theatres in London were built, including The Theatre and The Curtain. The Theatre was an Elizabethan playhouse located in Shoreditch, built by actor-manager James Burbage. The Theatre is considered to have been the first theatre built in London for the sole purpose of theatrical productions. The Theatre's history includes a number of important acting troupes including the Lord Chamberlain's Men. Shakespeare was employed as actor and playwright by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. After a dispute with the landlord, the theatre was dismantled and the timbers used in the construction of the Globe Theatre on Bankside. The children were excited to hear that last summer, a team of archeologists from The Museum of London discovered remains of The Theatre in Shoreditch.
 

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

In Middle School’s Summer Production of ’A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, which will be performed at Wilton’s Music Hall, year 3 will be playing the parts of the faeries, Peaseblossom, cobweb, Moth and Mustardseed. In their drama lessons, the children have been developing their individual walks and voices and have developed colourful, individual and charismatic characters. They have been working closely as an ensemble, with a focus on developing choral speaking. The Children are working from their own designs to make their costumes and headdresses in school on Wednesday afternoons. As you can imagine, the children are very busy and enjoying being costume designers and makers.