Over 200 pupils from local schools took part in a series of innovative workshops to bring Shakespeare to life with the help of our researchers and Elysium Theatre Company.
The workshops combined theatre, technology, and historical manuscripts to create a novel learning experience.
Guided by Elysium’s director, Jake Murray, pupils took on the role of Director, giving them a new insight into Shakespeare’s language and how his works translate from page to stage.
At the workshops professional actors Jamie Brown, Faz Singhateh, and Macy Stasiak performed key scenes from Othello and Macbeth.
They were conducted in our historic Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms theatre.
The day also brought 21st Century technology to the Bard’s work.
Dr Alistair Brown from our Department of English Studies demonstrated how cutting-edge VR technology can bring dramatic performances directly into the classroom.
Dr Brown recorded 360-degree versions of Macbeth and Othello scenes during the workshops for schools to use as a free additional learning resource.
Also available to schools are a 360-degree introduction to the Shakespeare Recovered exhibition and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Conservation Room at Palace Green Library, offering a glimpse into manuscript preservation work.
Tools like this can make Shakespeare’s work more accessible to pupils who may not have the opportunity to visit theatres regularly.
As part of the school trip, some pupils visited the Shakespeare Recovered exhibition at Palace Green Library. The exhibition’s centrepiece is Durham’s copy of the original 1623 Shakespeare First Folio.
At the exhibition, pupils learnt about both literary history and modern conservation techniques used to preserve the ancient text.
All the workshops were completely free for participating schools and colleges. Thanks to additional funding from City of Durham Parish Council, travel bursaries were also available for participating schools.
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