Interviewer:
Live from the studio theatre at the Library of Birmingham, home to one of the world's best collections of William Shakespeare's works. With special guests, from Horrible Histories, it's Jessica Ransome as Shakespeare's wife Anne Hathaway.
Jessica Ransom:
Oh you are joking.
Interviewer:
And these two, who you might know from C±«Óătv. It's Katie Thistleton and Karim Zeroual. In partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company, welcome to ±«Óătv Shakespeare Unplugged Live Lesson.
Katie Thistleton:
Hello everyone.
Karim Zeroual:
Hello everyone and welcome to a very special Shakespeare Unplugged Live Lesson, in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Joining us here is our lovely studio audience, hey everyone, how are we doing?
Katie Thistleton:
They're great.
Karim Zeroual:
Good, good to hear.
Katie Thistleton:
You guys are so great, and we've also got our virtual audience across the UK as well, hello to Middleton Park Primary School in Aberdeen, North Ormesby Primary Academy in Middlesbrough, New Park Primary in Liverpool and Springhead Primary in Gravesend, to name but a few. But there are loads of people watching, so very big warm welcome to all of you.
Karim Zeroual:
A big hello to you all. Now we have a fantastic lesson planned for you over the next 45 minutes. Trust me guys, it's going to be great.
Katie Thistleton:
It's going to be so good, I'm really excited. Yeah, we've got loads of fantastic stuff into happen, including loads of amazing guests joining us. Oh, we are so lucky to have with us actors from the world famous Royal Shakespeare Company. Hello.
Karim Zeroual:
Hello RSC.
Katie Thistleton:
There they are. Aren't they gorgeous? It's a big deal having those guys here today.
Karim Zeroual:
It's a big deal, can't wait to see them perform, it's going to be great.
Katie Thistleton:
It really is. We've also got the brilliant RSC director Justin Audibert with us, and from Horrible Histories, the amazing Jessica Ransom.
Karim Zeroual:
And we've got some great action for you. We have stories about a battle, a murder, and a little bit of love. Ugh, not love, ugh.
Katie Thistleton:
Oh nice, that's good, yeah. Yeah, we like the love, don't we?
Karim Zeroual:
It's alright.
Katie Thistleton:
Uh, we're going to be looking at Shakespeare's use of language. We're going to be learning about some of the exciting characters, and finding out about all the different ways we can bring Shakespeare's plays to life.
Karim Zeroual:
But our lesson would be nothing without you, so we want you to get involved. So keep watching, and please do get in contact.
Katie Thistleton:
That's right. Our special guests will be available to answer your questions about everything Shakespeare at the end of the show, so we want to hear from you. We've got our social media team here in the interactive area, just waiting for your comments. Look at them, they're ready, they're primed.
Karim Zeroual:
Look at them, our beautiful social media team. Uh, so teachers, if any students have, uh, if any of your students have questions, then please do get in contact. Email us at live.lessons@bbc.co.uk or if you prefer you can use the ±«Óătv Live Lessons hash tag. And don't forget to include the name of your school so we can shout you out.
Katie Thistleton:
Yeah, we want to chat to you. We've also been asking you over the past few weeks to vote on our Live Lesson website for your favourite Shakespearean word or phrase. Voting will close at 11:20 and we'll reveal your favourite at the end of the lesson. Cannot wait to find out what it's going to be.
Karim Zeroual:
I wonder what it's going to be. Very exciting. Right, let's get down to business, okay. Just who was William Shakespeare and why, 400 years after his death, are we still talking about him?
Interviewer:
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford Upon Avon, when the Tudor Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne. When she died in 1603 King James was crowned, creating the kingdom of Great Britain. It was a dramatic period in our history. In 1577, when Shakespeare was 13 years old, Sir Francis Drake sailed around the globe discovering new worlds. In 1588, whenShakespeare was a young man of 24, the Spanish Armada set sail to launch a doomed attack on England. And in 1605 Guy Fawkes plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament, an event we remember today as Bonfire Night. They were inspiring times.
Katie Thistleton:
They certainly were exciting and inspiring times. Shakespeare married a lady in Stratford Upon Avon called Anne Hathaway, and had three children. Now he had a passion for acting, and eventually went to London to be an actor, but he, he actually found fame as a playwright.
Karim Zeroual:
That's very interesting, that, Katie. Also he wrote poetry too, and to this day his work is still performed all over the world.
Katie Thistleton:
It sure is. His friends said that he was the best writer of his time. They were very nice to him, and most people now say that he was the best writer of all time, one of the world's greater writers.
Karim Zeroual:
And most famous. Most famous.
Katie Thistleton:
Yeah, definitely. Uh, Shakespeare used more English words than any other writer. He took phrases and everyday words that he heard on the streets, and he used them in his plays. In fact loads of them we still use today, and you will probably use loads of them and you probably don't even realise that when you say them, you're reciting Shakespeare. Knock knock.
Karim Zeroual:
Oh, who's there? I don't think it's time for a Katie.
Katie Thistleton:
No, I'm not doing a joke. Knock knock is one of the phrases that we use today because of Shakespeare.
Karim Zeroual:
Did we know that? Knock knock, Shakespeare quote?
Katie Thistleton:
Isn't that cool? I see some heads shaking.
Karim Zeroual:
I didn't know that. Yeah.
Katie Thistleton:
I've got a few more as well.
Karim Zeroual:
Go on then.
Katie Thistleton:
Quick as a flash.
Karim Zeroual:
Oh, I'm pretty quick, innit.
Katie Thistleton:
Well, I'm not sure about that Karim, but you are one of these, blinking idiot.
Karim Zeroual:
She always calls me that. That's a Shakespeare quote.
Katie Thistleton:
That, that is a Shakespeare quote as well, but don't call your friends that, it's not very nice. Don't call your teachers that, no way.
Karim Zeroual:
Don't say in school. Or school. Don't say it in school.
Katie Thistleton:
Uh, and also, I haven't slept one wink.
Karim Zeroual:
See that one surprised me, I didn't know that was a Shakespeare quote.
Katie Thistleton:
Yeah, we say all of those things because of Shakespeare. So you know, when you say those things, you're actually reciting Shakespeare.
Karim Zeroual:
Quoting Shakespeare. Interesting. Now, Shakespeare died in 1616, so this year on the 23rd of April, we'll be remembering the 400 year anniversary, and celebrating his life and of course his works.
Katie Thistleton:
But enough from us, because there's somebody who knows William Shakespeare more than we do, and that's his wife, Anne Hathaway.
Jessica Ransom:
Hello. So my husband, the famous playwright, actor, poet, he was the toast of the town. Mixing with the great and good in London. Ben Johnson, Christopher Marlowe, John Fletcher, they all wrote wonderful things too, when they weren't fighting or spying or in prison. Yes, it was an exciting time. Of course, it wasn't exciting for me. I was stuck in Stratford, bringing up thechildren and doing the housework. Now, I know what you're thinking. He must have made loads of money from his plays. No, virtually nothing. From all those plays. How many was it he wrote again? 38? I think it was 38. It's hard to remember, there were so many. You know, they didn't even publish all of his plays while he was alive, just some of them. That's why we don't reallyknow how many he actually wrote, and there wasn't much point anyway, when lots of people couldn't read and lots of children didn't even go to school. How brilliant is that? Shush, no, no, I mean terrible. Teachers, it was absolutely terrible. The theatre was a crazy place in my time. With stuff like dog-fighting and bear-baiting, all in the same venue. Awful. But people loved it. And theyloved Will's plays too. The audience already knew lots of the stories from his plays because he borrowed them from other writers or from history. It sounds odd but it's what everyone did at the time. Romeo and Juliet, someone else wrote that story first. But the thing is, they didn't write it like my husband. It's what he did with the stories that made them special. His amazing language,much of which we still use today, was what drew the audience in, who would go to listen as well as to watch. It was a wonderful time to visit the theatre. It's just a shame I was stuck at home in Stratford really, but I'm sure he had a nice time.
Katie Thistleton:
Thank you. Thank you so much to the brilliant Jessica Ransom, she is fabulous as Anne Hathaway.
Karim Zeroual:
What a brilliant performance.
Katie Thistleton:
So now we know a bit more about William Shakespeare. We know that he was a great storyteller, but what was it that brought his stories to life?
Karim Zeroual:
Well there were many things Katie. It was his, his amazing use of language, the words he used in his plays of course.
Katie Thistleton:
Well we're going to look at some of his plays today, and the first play we're going to look at is called Henry V. This is one of Shakespeare's history plays, and it's called a history play because it's about a king who really existed, and it's about a famous battle in France which really happened.
Karim Zeroual:
A real life story. Very interesting, that. Now, young King Henry V of England is furious when a messenger arrives with an insulting gift from a French prince, a box of tennis balls, suggesting Henry is better at playing games than fighting battles.
Katie Thistleton:
Banter.
Karim Zeroual:
Top bants. Henry throws them back at the messenger and declares war on France.
Katie Thistleton:
Uh oh. He wasn't happy. So Henry sails from England to France, where he lands with a large fleet of warships at Harfleur, a port city on the northern coast of France. Henry wants the army to attack the French city but the soldiers are really outnumbered, they're tried, they're unhappy. They do not want to fight.
Karim Zeroual:
I do not blame them Katie, and that's where we're going to join the play. King Henry knows that he needs to win his men round, so he delivers a powerful speech, telling them all they'll be heroes forever if they fight. Watch and listen carefully to the speech performed by Ken, who's an RSC actor. Think about how you would have felt if you were a soldier there. And everyone inschool watching, how does it make you feel? Please do send in your thoughts, we'd love to hear from you. Over to you Ken.
Ken:
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, conjure up the blood,
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry God for Harry, England, and Saint George!
Katie Thistleton:
Nice work Ken.
Karim Zeroual:
Thank you.
Katie Thistleton:
Great performance. Wasn't that powerful?
Karim Zeroual:
How amazing was that? Brilliant work.
Katie Thistleton:
That is a powerful speech. Now to discover more about Shakespeare's use of language in this particular speech, please welcome to the stage our special guest, RSC director Justin Audibert. Hey Justin.
Justin Audibert:
Hi Katie, hi Karim.
Karim Zeroual:
Hi, thank you for joining us.
Katie Thistleton:
It's so lovely to have you up here with us. Uh, now Justin, you're a theatre director, so why don't we start by telling our wonderful studio audience and virtual audience what a theatre director actually does.
Justin Audibert:
Well, what we do, um, as theatre directors, is we kind of try to bring the plays to life, um, and one of the key parts when you're directing a Shakespeare play is to bring those words to life.
Katie Thistleton:
So what is it about the language in this particular speech that King Henry just delivered, that makes it so powerful and so persuasive?
Justin Audibert:
Um. One of the reasons the language is so powerful is that King Henry uses really vivid imagery, which paints incredible pictures in the minds of the soldiers.
Katie Thistleton:
Awesome.
Karim Zeroual:
Oh brilliant, let's, uh, look a bit more into that. Katie, you head into the audience so you can get involved.
Katie Thistleton:
I'm coming for you.
Karim Zeroual:
I'm going to head to the interactive area. We'll leave you in the hands of Justin. Justin, what would you like our audience to do?
Justin Audibert:
Okay. Um. Okay everyone, I want you to imagine that you are the English Army, must before you're supposed to be going into this battle to invade the town of Harfleur. There's a wall all around the town and there is a hole in that wall, which Henry calls a breach, and it's been blasted open by the English cannons, and Henry wants you all to go through that wall into the town. Butyou really don't want to. You're a bit scared, you're a bit tired, and you just want to go home. On the other side of that wall, worst of all, are loads of French soldiers.
Actor:
Vive la France.
Justin Audibert:
Waiting to chop you all to pieces. So can you all stand up please? Now, can you show me what you would look like if you were this really tired, scared English Army. Three, two, one, go. Oh, well that's very good. Great acting. Brilliant acting already. Now Ken, looking at this army, what do you think about your army?
Ken:
Terrible. Just terrible.
Justin Audibert:
They are pretty terrible, aren't they? Do you think they're going to take the town?
Ken:
No.
Justin Audibert:
Okay, well let's see if we can use Shakespeare's words to do something about that. What we're going to do is act out King Henry's instructions in the speech. Now first of all, King Henry says…
Ken:
Imitate the action of the tiger.
Justin Audibert:
Imitate means copy. So I want you all to be tigers. One, two, three, go. Wow, okay, okay. I want you to do the same thing again now, and this time say the words, action of the tiger, with the action. Three, two, one, go.
All:
Action of the tiger.
Justin Audibert:
Wow, that was excellent. Great. Okay, the next thing King Henry says is…
Ken:
Stiffen the sinews.
Justin Audibert:
Now, you're sinews are what connect your muscles to your bones, so if you stiffen them, you tense them, so you become really tough. And this time I want you to do that action, and at the same time, say the words, stiffen the sinews. One, two, three, go.
All:
Stiffen the sinews.
Justin Audibert:
Oh yeah, there were some really good muscles there, I liked that. Okay, next King Henry says to us…
Ken:
Conjure up the blood.
Justin Audibert:
Now this means to get the blood pumping. So this time I want you to run up and down on the spot as fast as you can and say, conjure up the blood. One, two, three, go.
All:
Conjure up the blood.
Justin Audibert:
Wow, okay, I feel like we've got something here. Great. Now King Henry says…
Ken:
Set the teeth.
Justin Audibert:
Set the teeth, which means to grit your teeth. So I want you to do the same thing again, and this time say those words too. One, two, three, go.
All:
Set the teeth.
Justin Audibert:
Oh that was great, okay. Lastly, King Henry says…
Ken:
Stretch the nostril wide.
Justin Audibert:
So I want you to flare your nostrils, like some kind of wild animal and say those words, one, two, three, go.
All:
Set the nostril wide.
Justin Audibert:
Excellent. What do you think of your army now King Henry?
Ken:
Looking scary.
Justin Audibert:
Looking scary. You think you might be able to take this town?
Ken:
Oh definitely.
Justin Audibert:
Okay, okay. But I want you all to be inspired by Henry's words to do it. So audiences at school and in the studio, King Henry is going to do the speech again, and I want you to really listen and when you hear the lines that we've just learned, let's do all of those actions together. And then on top of that, at the end, I want you all to join in his famous battle cry of…
Ken:
Cry God, for Harry, England and St George.
Justin Audibert:
Okay. Now, can you repeat that for us Ken?
Ken:
Cry God for Harry, England and St George.
Justin Audibert:
Marvellous. Alright, so everybody go back to being your tired, scared, pathetic soldiers, and let's listen to the words King Henry says. Off you go.
Ken:
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, conjure up the blood,
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
°ä°ů˛â…
All:
God for Harry, England, and Saint George!
Katie Thistleton:
Well done. Well done everyone. That was fantastic. You can take your seats. Thank you so much Justin, thank you Ken, thank you to the wonderful RSC actors there, that was brilliant. And well done you lot, our studio audience did some fantastic terrifying performances. I hope our virtual audience were joining in as well. You guys here were very, very good indeed. I'm going toask you how you felt about that. What's your name?
Fueva:
[Fueva].
Katie Thistleton:
Now tell me, uh, how did you feel acting out the words in King Henry's speech? How did it make you feel?
Fueva:
Strong.
Katie Thistleton:
Strong? You felt strong, well that's good, isn't it? Lots of strength down here. And what's your name?
Evie:
Evie.
Katie Thistleton:
Now Evie, tell me, uh, has that inspired you to want to go and fight? So imagine you're one of those soldiers as we just did, has King Henry made you want to go and fight?
Evie:
Yeah.
Katie Thistleton:
Yeah, oh she's ready for a fight. She is ready. [LAUGHS] Well that is the power of Shakespeare's language. It can create strong emotions and change the way we feel. Karim, what's everyone saying on social media?
Karim Zeroual:
Thank you Katie. I'm a little bit worried about our studio army at the moment. They scared me then. Uh, you've been getting in contact with your emails, so Jo, what have we had in?
Jo:
We've had one for Westcliff School that says Westcliff pupils love Henry's character, strong, determined and convincing.
Karim Zeroual:
He is indeed. Thank you Ken for that. Any more?
Jo:
We've got one from St John's Primary School that's say they're pumped up to go into battle.
Karim Zeroual:
Well that's exactly what we wanted you to feel, so brilliant work, thank you.
Jo:
And we've got one more from Mr, Mr James' class, who says, the words he used were amazing and powerful.
Karim Zeroual:
They are indeed. I think my favourite is stiffen the sinews. That was amazing. If you want to find out more or send in your class's performance of the speech from Henry V, then head to the website for more details, and lots more ideas from the ±«Óătv and RSC for you to try out in the classroom. Go get involved.
Interviewer:
Did you know there really was a King Henry V who led England to victory in a great battle at Agincourt in France? The English troops were outnumbered 10 to one by French soldiers who were on horseback, but because of bad weather, the horses got stuck in mud and couldn't move, making them easy targets for English arrows.
Karim Zeroual:
Remember, we also want to hear from you, so if you want to get in touch and put your questions to our lovely guests at the end of the lesson, then please do so. Teachers can email us at live.lessons@bbc.co.uk or if you prefer, use the hashtag ±«Óătv Live Lessons, or if you just want to say hello, we would genuinely love to hear from you, so please do get in contact. Jo, what's ouraudience been saying so far lovely?
Jo:
Well, Westbourne School in Penarth have come into school in Shakespearean themed fancy dress and they're very excited about the Live Lesson.
Karim Zeroual:
Brilliant, I like the Shakespearean themed fancy dress. That is a good touch. Thank you.
Jo:
We've had, uh, a beautiful picture in from Forster Park Primary School in Catford, Lewisham, about Macbeth.
Karim Zeroual:
That is brilliant, you can see, all hail Macbeth, brilliant display that, thank you for sending that in. Thank you. And if you haven't voted for your favourite word or phrase coined by Shakespeare, then you can do it now on our website, voting will be closing soon, and we'll reveal the most popular at the end of the lesson. What's it going to be?
Katie Thistleton:
I don't know. I can't wait to find out.
Karim Zeroual:
No idea.
Katie Thistleton:
So so far we've thought about the powerful language used, uh, Shakespeare used in Henry V. And now we're going to look at how he used language to tell us what the characters in his plays were like, and where the plays took place.
Karim Zeroual:
Yeah. Okay, so when Shakespeare was writing his plays, uh, theatres didn't have amazing set designs or lighting and sound effects, like we do today. Light bulbs hadn't even been invented yet. So all the plays had to happen in the day time, or even by candlelight. Uh, people had to use their imaginations to be transported to all the different locations Shakespeare used in his work.
Katie Thistleton:
And the next play certainly does stir the imagination.
Karim Zeroual:
It's a good one.
Katie Thistleton:
It's Macbeth. That's probably my favourite Shakespeare play.
Karim Zeroual:
It is your favourite one, isn't it, yeah.
Katie Thistleton:
So excited about this. It's a story about greed and power, and here to tell us a bit more about it, it's Shakespeare's wife Anne again.
Jessica Ransom:
Yes, Macbeth, brilliant writing of course, but my husband wasn't just good with words, you know, he was good at business too. Now I know that sounds pretty boring but it was important. You see, he needed money from rich folk to be able to put on the plays, and so he needed to write stories that these important people would like. So back to Macbeth, Will knew that King Jameshad just written a book about witches. Not a story book, you understand, a big, serious book all about real witches. Everyone believed in witches in our day, and was terrified of them. And people were even hanged if found guilty of witchcraft. So because the king was interested in witches, my Will put some witches in Macbeth. Clever move, eh? Then the king said he liked shortplays, so Will made Macbeth short. The king also claimed to be descended from a character called Banquo, who is in the story, so Will changed the character a bit, and made him into a goodie. And amazingly, it worked. The king made Will's company his personal theatre troupe, the King's Players. Such a success, it was almost as if Will had cast a spell on the king, whichhe hadn't, by the way, because that would have made him a witch, and you know what happens to them. Superstition really was very important for us. It came up a lot in my husband's work. And not least, in this next masterpiece.
Katie Thistleton:
Thank you very much Jessica, it certainly does come up in this one. This play is one of Shakespeare's tragedies, and it's about a brave soldier called Macbeth who meets three women who tell him he'll one day be King. Pretty…
Karim Zeroual:
That's alright, isn't it?
Katie Thistleton:
It's pretty good news that, yeah.
Katie Thistleton:
I'd love to be King.
Katie Thistleton:
He believes the women and decides to speed up the process by plotting to kill the King.
Karim Zeroual:
I'm not sure how that's going to go down Katie, but to explain what we're going to do next, please welcome back our RSC director Justin Audibert.
Justin Audibert:
Now, one of the great things about performing Shakespeare, is there's never just one way of doing a scene, there's hundreds, thousands of ways. In fact, too many to count. So our job as directors and actors, is to play with the scene and find interesting ways to do it, which is what we're going to do in our next exercise. In this scene Macbeth, played by Joe, and his friend Banquo,played by Ken, are returning from a battle, and they come across three mysterious figures played by Hannah, Rina and Katie on what Shakespeare calls a heath. I want you all to really listen to the words they say, to try to find as much information as you, out as you can. Thank you very much. When you're ready, off you go.
Hannah:
Where hast thou been sister?
Rina:
Killing swine.
Katie:
Sister, where thou?
All witches:
A drum. A drum. Macbeth doth come.
Thrice to thine and thrice to mine,
And thrice again to make up nine.
Peace, the charm's wound up.
Joe:
So foul and fair a day I have not seen?
Ken:
What are these?
That look not like th' inhabitants o' th' Earth,
And yet are on ’t?—Live you? Or are you aught
That man may question?
Joe:
Speak, if you can, what are you?
Justin Audibert:
Okay, stop there. Thank you very much. Okay. So this section ends on the question, what are you? And this is the question I want us now to answer. What are these creatures? Banquo says…
Ken:
What are these, that look not like the inhabitants of the Earth, and yet are on it?
Justin Audibert:
Which means that even though they live on the Earth, they don't look like anything else that is on the Earth. So let's us be detectives, and go back to the words to see what clues Shakespeare has left for us. You all need to listen to the clues as to who these creatures are. Okay, when you're ready, thank you.
Hannah:
Where has thou been sister?
Rina:
Killing swine.
Katie:
Sister, where thou?
Justin Audibert:
Stop there, thank you very much. Okay, what information did we just find out? Karim, have you got any suggestions?
Karim Zeroual:
Let's try and find out Justin. So after watching that, what's your name?
Holly:
Holly.
Karim Zeroual:
Holly. Okay, so how are these three ladies related?
Holly:
They're sisters.
Karim Zeroual:
Brilliant work Holly, and what's your name?
Zahib:
[Zahib.]
Karim Zeroual:
Zahib, what do you reckon killing swine could mean?
Zahib:
Maybe they're killing animals?
Karim Zeroual:
Yeah? Brilliant. Swine? Do you think you can figure out what animal that could be?
Zahib:
Pig?
Karim Zeroual:
Brilliant work Zahib, that's what we were looking for, thank you.
Justin Audibert:
That's excellent detective work right there, proper detective work. Excellent. Okay, so we know they're sisters, and that one of them has been out there killing pigs. We're going to go back into the scene and see if we can find out anymore.
All witches:
A drum. A drum. Macbeth doth come.
Justin Audibert:
Stop there, thank you very much. Okay, we just found out two new bits of information. That someone is coming, and then how did, how did these sisters find out that someone was coming? Have you got anything for us there Karim?
Karim Zeroual:
I'm hoping so. What's your name?
Dorcas:
Dorcas.
Karim Zeroual:
Dorcas, okay, so who do you reckon's coming?
Dorcas:
Um, Macbeth.
Karim Zeroual:
Macbeth, good answer, and how do we know that, were there any signs or clues or noises maybe?
Dorcas:
Uh, there was a drum.
Karim Zeroual:
Brilliant work. Good detectives here Justin.
Justin Audibert:
Very good detectives. Well done everybody. Okay. Um, I liked that you were called Dorcas as well, that's a Shakespearean name. Excellent. Um. Uh. Okay, we're going to go back into the scene again. Keep listening everybody. I want you to pay attention to what this next bit is. Thanks very much.
All witches:
Thrice to thine and thrice to mine,
And thrice again to make up nine.
Peace, the charm's wound up.
Justin Audibert:
Stop there. Excellent. Okay, what did that last section sound like to you all? Karim, have you got any suggestions?
Karim Zeroual:
Shall we try and find out? What's your name little man?
Ashton:
Ashton.
Karim Zeroual:
Ashton, what did that last little rhyme sound like?
Ashton:
It sounded mischievous, so…
Karim Zeroual:
Okay, and elaborate on that, so mischievous rhyme or poem could be…
Ashton:
Maybe a spell.
Karim Zeroual:
Oh, look at that. Brilliant. Brilliant work from our studio audience.
Justin Audibert:
You've got a crack team of detectives in this studio audience.
Karim Zeroual:
Really good.
Justin Audibert:
Very good. Excellent. Anyone, any, has the whole audience got an idea of what kind of people cast spells?
All:
Witches.
Justin Audibert:
Oh, witches. Okay. So maybe they are witches. Okay, so we've got an answer to Banquo's question,w hat these are. We know they're sisters, they've been killing pigs, they've been casting spells. Shakespeare calls them weird sisters, and in the production that I want us to imagine, we want to make these weird sisters as scary as possible. So I'm going to want you, in a minute, not yet,to write down or draw how you think these weird sisters look, how you think they move and how they think they, how we think they sound. And then our brilliant RSC team of witches, are going to create them using your suggestions. Over to you Katie.
Katie Thistleton:
How exciting is that? We all get to be directors right now. So our studio audience here, and our virtual audience, you're going to need the Macbeth activity sheet from the website, or a blank piece of paper will do, and you're going to have 60 seconds, and remember what Justin said. We want to write down or draw, how we think the witches should look, how they should move,and how they should sound. Okay, so is everyone ready?
All:
Yeah.
Katie Thistleton:
You've only got a minute, I'm going to count you in, I can see you're all ready with your pencils, ready to go. Alright, three, two, one, go.
Katie Thistleton:
Okay, time is up. That's it. Pencils down. Well done everyone. You were all very quiet in the studio, I hope you guys, uh, at home were also enjoying doing all that drawing. Now we've actually had this activity up on the website, so we've already had some pictures of witches sent in, haven't we Jo? What have we had?
Jo:
Yeah, we've got one from Cameron from St Francis of Assisi in Skelmersdale who have sent in these very ghostly figures.
Katie Thistleton:
That's really scary, isn't it? But what a fantastic drawing. It also says double, double, toil and trouble, a line from the play there as well. Fab effort.
Jo:
And we've got one from St Anne's Catholic Primary School in Stafford, uh, with a more traditional impression of witches I guess.
Katie Thistleton:
I like it. They look very friendly. And we've got a cat as well, and a bookshelf, so what's not to like?
Jo:
And one more drawing inspiration from later on in the text, here's Broadheath Primary School with their witches looking very withered and wild.
Katie Thistleton:
They're looking very beardy aren't they, very attractive indeed. Fantastic. Thank you very much everybody for sending those in. Uh, Karim, what's our studio audience come up with?
Karim Zeroual:
Well there's loads in the front row. It's a little bit hard to choose a couple, but I've seen this one, what's your name?
Lupna:
Lupna.
Karim Zeroual:
Lupna, and do you want to show your picture to camera right there? Look at the blue on that, that is a pretty creepy witch. And what's your name?
Surman:
Surman.
Karim Zeroual:
What was that?
Surman:
Surman.
Karim Zeroual:
Surman, uh, do you want to show your picture to camera? Go on, get it round. Look at that, he's even added move fast and speak spooky. So, shall we elaborate on that Justin?
Justin Audibert:
Yeah that'd be great Karim.
Karim Zeroual:
Brilliant, okay then, so your witch, what would you life your witch to look like? It could look old and haggard or tall or small or like an animal of some sort?
Lupna:
They could be medium and they could be horrid and…
Karim Zeroual:
Medium and horrid. Brilliant, that's great to work with. And what about your witch.
Surman:
Uh, she'll speak spooky and…
Karim Zeroual:
And what would they look like?
Surman:
And they would look like, the face would be like, a rat face.
Karim Zeroual:
A rat face. So we've got medium and horrid, and a rat face.
Justin Audibert:
Okay, what do you…
Karim Zeroual:
Good luck RSC.
Justin Audibert:
What do you want to go for Hannah?
Hannah:
I've got to go for the rat face.
Justin Audibert:
Oh, so we're going to have rat faced witches. Excellent.
Karim Zeroual:
Uh, so we've got the look. Shall we find out how they move?
Justin Audibert:
That would be great, thanks Karim.
Karim Zeroual:
How would you like your witch to move?
Lupna:
Like, really slowly and…
Karim Zeroual:
Really slow and a bit creepy?
Lupna:
Yeah, like creepy and like, they could be like crouched down.
Karim Zeroual:
Slow, creepy, crouchy. Slow, creepy, crouchy. And you?
Surfan:
Fast as lightning.
Karim Zeroual:
Fast, fast as lightning did you say?
Surfan:
Fast as lightning.
Karim Zeroual:
Brilliant. So we've got slow, creepy, and crouchy, and fast as lightning.
Justin Audibert:
Ooh, what do you want to choose Rina, slow, creepy and crouchy or fast as lightning?
Rina:
Fast as lightning.
Justin Audibert:
Oh okay, so rat-faced and fast as lightning. Excellent.
Karim Zeroual:
Good choice Rina.
Justin Audibert:
And then the last one, how are they going to sound Karim?
Karim Zeroual:
Let's find out how our witches are going to sound. Okay, you two are the directors, so how would you like your witches to sound?
Lupna:
Crackly.
Karim Zeroual:
Crackly.
Lupna:
And like, um, a gruff voice.
Karim Zeroual:
Yeah, brilliant. Crackly and a gruff voice. And how about you?
Surfan:
Spooky and loud.
Katie Thistleton:
Spooky and loud. So we've got crackly and a gruff voice, and spooky and loud.
Justin Audibert:
Crackly and a gruff voice, or spooky and loud, what are you going to choose Katie?
Katie:
Ooh, it's going to be spooky and loud.
Justin Audibert:
Spooky and loud. So we've got…
Hannah:
Rat face.
Rina:
We've got um, uh, fast…
Katie:
Fast as lightning.
Justin AudibertFast as lightning and…
KatieAnd spooky and loud.
Justin AudibertSpooky and loud. Okay. Wow, what a challenge for our actors. Okay, whenever you're ready. Off you go.
HannahWhere has thou been sister?
RinaKilling swine.
KatieSister, where thou?
All witchesA drum. A drum. Macbeth doth come.Thrice to thine and thrice to mine,And thrice again to make up nine.Peace, the charm's wound up.
Katie ThistletonThat was fantastic. Wasn't that great, seeing how your directions actually changed the way the actors performed, that was fantastic. I think you're all going to be directors, you'll be putting Justin out of a job, I know it. Uh, thank you so much Justin and all of our fantastic RSC actors for that performance, and if you want to know more about Macbeth, then you can head to ourwebsite,
InterviewerDid you know actors tend to call Macbeth the Scottish play? Some superstitious people believe that speaking the name Macbeth inside a theatre will cause bad things to happen on stage.
Karim ZeroualYou've been getting in touch with all your comments and thoughts, so thank you for that. Jo, what have we had in?
JoWell we've had 5M from St Dunstan's saying they love Macbeth and are loving this Live Lesson.
Karim ZeroualOur brilliant, that's good to hear, unfortunately we lost that there. Oh brilliant, it's back. Alright, thank you. We're loving it too, thanks. What's the next one?
JoUm Forres Sandle Manor at Fordingbridge have said they're studied The Tempest and The Merchant of Venice, so ±«Óătv Live Lessons are a great chance to explore even more of Shakespeare's incredible plays.
Karim ZeroualThere are many of them, and may I add, The Merchant of Venice is my actual favourite as well. Fact for you. Now, over the past few weeks we've been asking you to vote on our website for your favourite word or quote that was originally used by Shakespeare. Voting unfortunately has now closed and we'll reveal the most popular at the end of the lesson. What's it gonna be?
Katie ThistletonOh I don't know. I am so excited.
Karim ZeroualDon't know
Katie ThistletonRight now it's time for our last play. So far we've seen how William Shakespeare uses powerful language to inspire and persuade people in Henry V, we've seen how he also gave clues about where the scene is set and what the characters look like with Macbeth, and now we're going to see how he created really different settings and really different characters all inthe same play, and this time it's going to be a comedy, because we like a bit of a lol, don't we?
Karim ZeroualI do like a good comedy. Now you might not immediately think that Shakespeare's going to write funny plays, the language can be quite difficult, and can take quite a while to work out. So how can that be funny? Well, in the play that we're going to finish with, there's a character called Bottom.
Katie ThistletonLol.
Karim ZeroualThat's funny, isn't it, Bottom, imagine having your name called Bottom.
Katie ThistletonI can see people giggling.
Karim ZeroualI can see people giggling. A fairy, uh, king and queen and mischief-making, an a mischief-making spirit who puts spells on people to cause trouble. I mean, what's not to like?
Katie ThistletonOh it just sounds great.
Karim ZeroualIt sounds hilarious already.
Katie ThistletonAnd it's called A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Karim ZeroualOne of my favourites. It's a great one.
Katie ThistletonIt is actually one of my favourite Shakespeare plays. It's a story about magic, love, trickery and power. It's one of Shakespeare's most popular plays, so it must be good, and we're about to find out why it's so good.
Karim ZeroualYeah.
Katie ThistletonAnd to tell us a little bit about it, you've guessed it, it's our old mate Anne again.
Jessica RansomMy Will looked for stories everywhere. In history, in other people's books and plays, which, as I said before, was perfectly acceptable at the time, and in tales of the ancient world. He often turned to the Greek myths like Pericles, the Siege of Troy, and even Theseus, the warrior who killed the minotaur. A terrifying half-man, half-bull thing. Honestly, the stuff they believed in thoseancient times, we were much more modern, and only believed in sensible, realistic things like witches and fairies. There were even fairies in Will's play about Theseus, A Midsummer Night's Dream. To us, fairies were mysterious, scary creatures, always doing bad things. But in this play, Will made their mischief funny. His plays weren't always just kings killing kings and doomedlovers, you know. Some of Will's stories would have the audience in stitches. Comedy or tragedy, the crowd would be in tears one way or another. So A Midsummer Night's Dream has a lot of fairies in it, who cause a whole heap of trouble. Typical fairies, just what you'd expect. And there's one particular fairy that ought to be put in the stocks for all the trouble he causes. He's calledPuck, and I'm not the only one who thinks he's up to mischief, as you'll see.
Katie ThistletonThank you very much once again Jessica.
Karim ZeroualThank you.
Katie ThistletonNow this is a comedy all about love. Two sets of romantic couples run off into the woods, where they become victims of all sorts of crazy magic, created by Puck, who we've just learned, is a very naughty fairy indeed.
Karim ZeroualHe's very naughty.
Jessica RansomUh, but after plenty of Midsummer silliness, you'll be pleased to know that it all works out all right in the end. Spoiler alert.
Karim ZeroualYeah, and to explain more about our last scene, please welcome back Justin, RSC company director.
Justin AudibertThanks everyone. Uh. In this scene Titania, played by Katie, um, could you tell us a little bit about Titania Katie?
KatieWell Titania is the Queen of the Fairies. And she's very proud and she's very powerful. In fact, she's so powerful that she actually controls the weather.
Justin AudibertAnd what has Puck done to her Katie?
KatieWell he's put a kind of spell on her, and the spell means that when she wakes up in the forest, the first person that she sees, she's going to fall in love with.
Justin AudibertRight, okay, remember that, that's important. Okay, Joe, you're going to be playing Bottom, can you tell us something about Bottom please?
JoeWell he's an ordinary man with an ordinary job, he's got a very high opinion of himself and he thinks he deserves to be a very famous actor. And of course, Puck has turned his head into a donkey's head.
Justin AudibertOkay, that's excellent. So both Bottom and Titania have had spells cast on them by Puck. We're going to look at this scene now. Whenever you're ready Joe and Katie, we're just going to listen to those words, so everybody listen again. Thanks.
JoeThe lark, the finch and the sparrow,The plain-song cuckoo gray.
KatieWhat angel wakes me from my flowery bed?Ooh.
JoeThe lark, the finch and the sparrow,The plain-song cuckoo gray.
KatieI pray you gentle mortal, sing again.Mine ear is much enamoured of thy note.So is mine eye enthralled by thy shape.And thy fair virtue's force perforce doth move meOn the first view to say, to swear, I love thee.
JoeOh, me thinks mistress, you should have little reason for that. Although to say the truth, love and reason keep little company together nowadays.
KatieThou art as wise as thou art beautiful.
JoeAh no, not so, neither. If I had wit enough to get out of this wood, I'd have enough to serve mine own turn.
KatieOut of this wood do not desire to go.Thou shalt remain here whether thou wilt or no.I am a spirit of no common rate.The summer still doth tend upon my state.And I do love thee, therefore go with me.
Justin AudibertOkay, I'm going to need your help to transform this into a comic scene. So first of all, we've bought three different donkey's heads with us, and I want you to decide which one Bottom should wear. Can I see donkey's head number one please? Have a good look. Can I see donkey's head number two please? And can I see donkey's head number three please? Very good.
Katie ThistletonVery nice, so which one do we prefer? We're going to get you to shout out so we can try and figure out which is the best one. You're going to vote right now, okay? So are you ready studio audience? I want you to give me a big old shout if you prefer donkey's head number one?
All[SCREAMS]
Katie ThistletonOh it seems popular. Alright, let's have a cheer if you prefer donkey's head number two.
All[SCREAMS]
Katie ThistletonAnd what about donkey's head number three?
All[SCREAMS]
Katie ThistletonOh don't take it personally, don't take it personally. Uh, I think Justin that that was number one, so I'm going to leave you to continue with the wonderful performance with donkey's head number one.
Justin AudibertThank you very much Katie. Okay, we're going to keep number one. Joe, could you put that on for me?
JoeAbsolutely.
Justin AudibertVery pretty. Now, uh, as directors and actors, one of the tools we can use to bring out the humour in a scene is to find different things that we know about a character and that make that character up, and turn them up or down. So Katie, could you tell us again about Titania?
KatieWe know she's a queen, we know she's proud, and we know she's had a spell put on her to make her fall in love with the first person that she sees.
Justin AudibertExcellent, well done. Okay, so when we have a little look at the scene again Katie, I would really like you to play up how much of a kind of beautiful noble queen that she is, who's very powerful and stuck up.
KatieOkay.
Justin AudibertIs that okay? Excellent. Uh. Joe, could you remind us again, a little bit about Bottom?
JoeRight, well he's confused why he's been left on his own in the woods, and all his friends have run away, and also Puck's turned his head into a donkey's head, and he doesn't know it.
Justin AudibertOkay, okay. So I think Joe, when we do the scene again, I'd really like you to play up him being a donkey, and I might need some help for this though. So has anybody got a good donkey noise out there for me Karim? I'd really like someone with a good donkey noise that Joe can work with.
Karim ZeroualOh I reckon there'll be a few, I do. I'd love to come over there, but let's speak to this young lady. What's your name?
EmilyEmily.
Karim ZeroualEmily, do you have a good donkey noise for me Emily?
EmilyEeyore.
Karim ZeroualEeyore. Can we do it again? Ready, three, two, one.
EmilyEeyore.
Karim ZeroualThat was a good donkey noise.
Justin AudibertOh okay, good donkey noise. Very good Emily. Uh, Joe do you think you can work with that?
JoeI think I can work with that Emily, thank you.
Justin AudibertOkay, we're going to have another little look at the scene again. Thanks very much actors, when you're ready.
JoeEeyore. Eeyore. The lark, the finch and the sparrow. Eeyore. The plain-song cuckoo gray. Eeyore.
KatieWhat angel wakes me from my flowery bed? Oh.
JoeEeyore.
KatieI pray thee gentle mortal, sing again.Mine ear is much enamoured of thy note,So is mine eye enthralled by thy shape.Any thy fair virtue's force perforce doth move me,On the first view to say, to swear, I love thee.
JoeOh eeyore, me thinks mistress, eeyore, you have little reason for that. For truth to say, love and reason spend little time in company together nowadays. Eeyore.
Justin AudibertOkay, I'm going to stop you there for a second. That was excellent. We're going to try a little bit of something excellent as well, to add to this. Okay, so Katie, can you turn the volume down on being a queen slightly, and play up the fact that you love him a bit more, is that alright?
KatieOoh okay, yeah.
Justin AudibertSo really go for loving him. And Joe, I would still like you to be a donkey, and to use our brilliant sound, but I'd also like you to be stood up on, stood up on your two feet, and um, I'd like you to play up him being confused by the situation he is in. Okay, thank you very much. Off you go.
JoeThe lark, the finch and the sparrow. Eeyore. The plain-song cuckoo gray. Eeyore.
KatieWhat angel wakes me from my flowery bed? Ooh.
JoeEeyore.
KatieI pray thee gentle mortal, sing again.Mine ear is much enamoured of thy note,So is mine eye enthralled by thy shape.Any thy fair virtue's force perforce doth move me,On the first view to say, to swear, I love thee.
JoeEeyore! Oh methinks mistress, you should have little reason for that. Although, truth to say, love and reason spend little time in company nowadays.
KatieThou art as wise as thou art beautiful.
JoeWell, eeyore, not so neither, mistress. If I had wit enough to get out of this wood, I'd have enough to serve mine own term.
KatieOut of this wood do not desire to go.Thou shalt stay here whether thou wilt or no.I am a spirit of no common rate,The summer still doth tend upon my state.And I do love thee.Therefore, go with me.
JoeEeyore. Eeyore.
Karim ZeroualWhat a brilliant performance from the Royal Shakespeare Company there. Emily, what do you think of that second version?
EmilyVery funny.
Karim ZeroualIt was really funny, wasn't it? And what's your name?
AshlinAshlin.
Karim ZeroualAshlin, what did you think of the kiss? Was that a bit yucky?
AshlinYeah.
Karim ZeroualYeah. [LAUGHS] I did see that as well. It's amazing how just a little direction can change a scene that remarkably. Over to you Katie.
Katie ThistletonThat was very funny. Our studio audience were laughing, and I also enjoyed how everyone was covering their eyes for that kiss. We didn't enjoy that, did we? WE were all like, ugh. Uh, thank you very much Justin and the wonderful RSC actors, that was very funny, and a fantastic insight into bringing to life one of Shakespeare's best loved comedies. If you want to find out a bit moreabout anything we've done today, just head to our website,
InterviewerDid you know Shakespeare retold stories? His inspiration for A Midsummer Night's Dream was a long poem by a Roman poet called Ovid, which he read in Latin at school in Stratford Upon Avon. The poem tells over 250 myths, and one was about King Midas, whose head was supposed to have been changed into a golden ass.
Jessica RansomSo as you can see, my husband managed to squeeze a lot into his life, leaving me at home to squeeze out the children. Thanks Will. But I don't blame him. What he achieved was remarkable. From his wonderful poetry to his 38 plays. 38? I'm sure it was more than that, wasn't it? Anyway, he certainly won't be forgotten. He could write absolutely anything. Well, apartfrom a shopping list or, or a Valentine's card. Will was the darling of his day, and I predict he'll still be the nation's favourite playwright 400 years from now as well, although I might be a tad biased on this. And his plays will always have a home and be performed, under royal command no less, by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Karim ZeroualWasn't that brilliant? I'm feeling totally Shakespeared. Now, throughout the lesson you've been getting in touch with your questions and comments for our guests, so please welcome back Anne Hathaway, AKA Jessica Ransom, the RSC actors Joe, Katie, Ken, Rina and Hannah, and of course, our brilliant director Justin Audibert.
Karim ZeroualOkay, so we've had some questions in from our social media, um, collective. Now JO, what have we had in?
JoWell Great Linford Primary School have asked, what is your favourite play and why?
Karim ZeroualGood question.
Justin AudibertDo you want to answer this one Joe?
JoeYeah, okay. Um. I really love Macbeth, which you just saw a bit of, cause it's so exciting, it's, uh, it's really quick and just the most amazing things happen in it.
Justin AudibertWhat a good answer, thank you.
Karim ZeroualUh, over to you Katie.
Katie ThistletonYeah, we've got some questions here. What's your name?
JennyJenny.
Katie ThistletonNow Jenny, what's your question for the guys on the stage?
JennyWhat's your favourite Horrible History character you like to act in?
Katie ThistletonOoh, so this is a question for Jessica then, what's your favourite Horrible Histories character to act as?
Jessica RansomUm. I like anything where I get to have warts or horrible hairy things on my face. Anything where I look really horrible and get covered in dirt. So I like playing old crones and cavemen and things like that.
Karim ZeroualBrilliant, thank you Jessica. And have we got another question Jo?
JoYeah, we've got, from St John's Primary in Salford, saying what is the biggest challenge when performing Shakespeare?
Karim ZeroualGood question.
Justin AudibertKatie, I'm going to give that one to you.
KatieOh I think probably the, probably the biggest challenge with Shakespeare is to make it, cause it's quite difficult language sometimes. And to make it so that everybody can understand it, no matter where you come from, no matter what age you are, I think that's probably the most important thing with Shakespeare, cause his words are just so beautiful.
Karim ZeroualThey are indeed. Katie, have we got another question from an audience member?
Katie ThistletonSure have, what's your name lovely?
RahadRahad.
Katie ThistletonRahad, so what is your question?
RahadHow long does it take to practise playing one play?
Katie ThistletonHow long does it take to practise one play?
Karim ZeroualGood question.
Justin AudibertOh, very good question. Hannah, do you want to answer that one?
HannahWell it depends how long the director gives us. So uh, it can be anything from a couple of days, um, to maybe like 10 weeks or something like that, so it really depends on the production.
Karim ZeroualBrilliant. Thank you for answering those. We have time for one more question from the social media.
JoYeah, and it's a good one, From Ursuline Catholic Primary, they're asking, why do you think the stories have stayed relevant to so many people for so many years?
Justin AudibertMaybe I'll answer this one.
RinaGo on then.
Justin AudibertUm. I think they've stayed relevant for so long, for so many years, because they have all the really exciting and interesting and truthful things that happen in life. They deal with revenge and murder and betrayal and love and excitement and passion and battles and fighting and witchcraft. All of those things are dealt with. Which is quite a big list. And people are always goingto be interested in that.
Katie ThistletonAmazing.
Karim ZeroualThank you for answering those.
Katie ThistletonYeah, thank you very much. Great answers. Great questions as well everyone, thank you. And that's it. Thank you very much for sending in all of your questions and for asking your questions and being such a great audience. Uh, thanks to everyone here. Please, let's give a huge round of applause, to our guests today, the amazing RSC actors, our fantastic RSCdirector Justin, and Horrible Histories actress Jessica Ransom. Big round of applause.
Katie ThistletonAnd thank you so much to all of you as well. Uh, you, you deserve a big pat on the back, you're a fantastic studio audience. Thank you very much to our virtual audience. Thank you for being part of today's Shakespeare Unplugged Live Lesson.
Karim ZeroualYou were brilliant, thank you for coming along. And if you have any other questions that you would like to ask our lovely guests, please do send them over in the next 24 hours, we will honestly do our very best to answer as many questions as we can.
Katie ThistletonYeah, get them in. And we really hope you've enjoyed our Live Lesson, and feel inspired to find out even more about one of the greatest writers that's ever been.
Karim ZeroualIf you want to carry on getting creative with Shakespeare after the lesson, then please do head over to our website at , where you'll find lots more ideas and links, from the ±«Óătv and of course the RSC. And catch us on C±«Óătv when we go Totally Shakespeare in April, are you going to tune in? C±«Óătv-ers? Come on.
Katie ThistletonYou better had do.
Karim ZeroualMake sure you check it out, and remember, when you hear someone saying…
HannahFor goodness sake.
Katie ThistletonOr…
RinaMum's the word.
Katie ThistletonThey're actually reciting Shakespeare, so why don't you have a little think when you're just chatting to your mates and your family, think about how many phrases and words you say, uh, you're actually reciting Shakespeare, think about how many were actually used in his plays.
Karim ZeroualIn today's time. But before we go, as we mentioned earlier, uh, over the past few weeks, we've been asking you to let us know on our website, uh, for your favourite Shakespeare word or phrase. Well, the results are in, can I get a studio drum roll?
Karim ZeroualI can now reveal, we heard it just now, it's… For goodness sake.
Katie ThistletonOh really?
Karim ZeroualThat's the one.
Katie ThistletonI mean I say that a lot, to be honest.
Karim ZeroualI say that a lot. I didn't reckon that would pinch it, but it did. And to play us out, we have a special sneak preview from the Horrible Histories sensational Shakespeare special, that's a tongue-twister, I can tell you that, uh, that you can see in April on C±«Óătv. Take it away guys, thank you so much for watching. Big love.
Katie ThistletonThank you so much, thank you.
Bringing Shakespeare to life for a young audience
This Live Lesson in partnership with the is designed to introduce upper Key Stage 2/2nd Level pupils to some of William Shakespeare's best known plays.
The lesson focuses on aspects of Shakespeare's language and characters, and teaches students how to turn those famous words and scenes into a performance or production of their own.
Presented by C±«Óătv's Karim Zeroual and Katie Thistleton, and with special guests from the Royal Shakespeare Company and across the fields of acting, writing and directing, the lesson features iconic scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth and Henry V.
This edited programme was originally streamed live to schools in March 2016. Please note that we are no longer reviewing emails and messages from schools for inclusion in the lesson.
How to use this resource
Check out our lesson guide for teachers and print out the student activity sheets below.
Watch clips from the Live Lesson
Click here for short clips from the Live Lesson that you can use with your class as part of another lesson
Primary Live Lessons
Find out more about our Live Lessons designed for primary school students
Return to the Live Lessons homepage for more curriculum-linked Live Lessons across primary and secondary
