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Shakespeare’s Life & Work

Bring the world of Elizabethan theatre to your school hall through a drama workshop exploring Shakespeare’s life and work!

This workshop is the perfect introduction and overview to Shakespeare for children in Key Stage 2 – allowing them to learn about theatrical conventions of the time, the many and varied plays written by William Shakespeare and explore some of Shakespeare’s most famous texts in more detail.

Our drama workshops use a range of creative activities and games, all themed around the topic and designed to make the subject accessible and exciting for children – giving them a desire to learn more and feel that Shakespeare is something that they can understand and enjoy.

Because our sessions are practical, children are actively engaged in their own learning and our fun activities mean the session will be remembered for years to come!

Home › School Workshops › English › Shakespeare’s Life & Work
Group of Key stage 2 pupils standing in a circle in school hall with drama workshop leader

Topics covered

If you book a Shakespeare’s Life and Work drama workshop, your pupils can learn about the following areas of the topic:
William Shakespeare’s work including how many plays he wrote, the rumours about whether he wrote them at all, how old he was when he started writing and what inspired his work.
Key texts explored in more detail including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The conventions of Elizabethan theatre, both on stage and off.
How people watched Shakespeare’s plays, including information about the physical theatre spaces, seating, lighting (or lack of) and the experience of being an audience member.
Shakespearean language, explanations of key lines and how many of our words and phrases we owe to Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s other work, with a focus on the sonnets.
All of our workshops are completely inclusive, so all children can get involved and achieve.
How to book
About Altru

Is this the right workshop for you?

  • Suitable for: Year 03Year 04Year 05Year 06
How to book
For a single class

Book a Learn and Perform Day

For one class of up to 35 children
The class spend all day with the practitioner, working on the topic and at the end of the day perform their play to an audience.
A great way to help children learn about the topic and develop their confidence, speaking & listening, and team-work skills.
How to book
For multiple classes

Book an Explore Day

For up to 4 classes of 35 children in a day
Each class receives a workshop of 60-120 minutes
A fast-paced workshop for each class with lots of memorable and engaging drama activities
A great way to help children explore the topic whilst developing their confidence, imagination and passion for learning.
How to book
Key stage 2 pupil participating in drama workshop
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Key stage 2 pupil enjoying a drama workshop with classmates in the school hall
Key stage 2 pupil taking part in drama workshop in their school hall
Key stage 2 pupils take part in a drama workshop in their school hall
Key stage 2 pupils taking part in a drama workshop in their school hall
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Key stage 1 pupils engaging with a drama workshop in the school hall
Key stage 1 pupils engaging in drama workshop in their school hall

Getting the best out of your Shakespeare’s Life & Work drama workshop

Our workshops need to take place in the school hall ideally, securing this space for the day of the workshop will help it run really smoothly (we can absolutely move into a classroom for lunchtime set up if needed)
Make sure a teacher or TA will be present in the workshop to support the pupils and help us understand their needs.
If you would like pupils to dress up we are happy for you to do this! We don’t provide costumes (as we don’t feel they are needed for the learning to take place) but we can always help with ideas of what to wear if you want to do this.

Got a question?

Give the team a call or send us a message
Call us now

Take a look at our brochure

For all enquiries contact Dan Costello, our General Manager. Dan will send over a price list and a booking request form, making the booking process quick and easy.

Dan Costello | [email protected] | 0151 443 0333
Download our 2023/24 brochure
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