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Post by clarefh on Mar 2, 2024 12:41:42 GMT
My (just) 9 year old son has started asking me if I could take him to see Shakespeare at the theatre. He’s quite mature for his age and does a lot of drama ( and dance), big reader and has been to the theatre but mainly to musicals.
I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for children at all - I’m a bit wary as wonder if he’s too young still and don’t want to put him off? I think he wants to see ‘actual’ Shakespeare as opposed to a jokey kids type play based on Shakespeare, but maybe that would be better. Or are there non jokey versions for kids at all?
Anyway does anyone have any recommendations or thoughts? We are in London ( was half wondering about going to RSC in the summer for As you Like it shortened but it’s a bit of a trek).
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Post by partytentdown on Mar 2, 2024 13:07:06 GMT
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Post by clarefh on Mar 2, 2024 13:25:14 GMT
Thank -you!
I actually looked at the Globe as well and somehow missed this!
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Post by happysooz2 on Mar 2, 2024 19:34:26 GMT
Not live theatre but there are a couple of Ceebeebies versions of Shakespeare plays. The Tempest one is utterly brilliant and still on iPlayer I think. Could be a good warm up.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Mar 2, 2024 21:04:56 GMT
There is always a lot of Shakespeare in Oxford and Cambridge each summer if you wanted a day out in a pretty city. cambridgeshakespeare.com/Oxford has 2 months of outdoor performances at the Castle Romeo and Juliet in a double bill with Troilus and Cressida (1 hour versions of each) Twelfth Night Hamlet There is also a Much Ado and at least one more to be announced They are all usually targeted at the tourist market and this pretty accessible
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Post by lynette on Mar 2, 2024 21:10:14 GMT
The RSC programme looks ok for kidlets this year but I should always try to ask. For example the recent Macbeth looked fine on paper was absolutely dire. You want a clear, fairly trad show but then again, something like the way the Bridge did MND would have been perfect. The RSC is doing a couple of garden shows this year so check those out. Can be combined with post show fish and chips from the place on the corner 😁 Keep us posted.
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Post by clarefh on Mar 3, 2024 20:39:49 GMT
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Some good ones.
Lynette - that’s exactly it, fairly traditional but accessible. I was also thinking the RSC outside might be a good one. Don’t want to put him off!
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Post by criticalprole on Mar 3, 2024 23:39:49 GMT
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Some good ones. Lynette - that’s exactly it, fairly traditional but accessible. I was also thinking the RSC outside might be a good one. Don’t want to put him off! This is excellent and intended for children: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b078jltg/a-midsummer-nights-dream Might be a little young though
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Post by David J on Mar 4, 2024 1:01:10 GMT
What everyone has said already I wholeheartedly agree. Course as Lynette says it might be worth waiting for reviews before deciding to go for a production. Regents Park Open Air Theatre is doing Twelfth Night this summer. May be worth an afternoon there.
If you then want to watch something at home afterwards there's the Bridge Theatre Midsummer Night's Dream and NT's Twelfth Night on NT at Home. Less traditional with gender bending in them but accessible for sure
For traditional and accessible I'd recommend the Globe Theatre's Much Ado About Nothing (2011) (not the 2012 one unless he's also learning French at the moment) and The Comedy of Errors (2014) on the Globe Player website.
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