Shakespeare Up Close

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We are delighted to announce the return of Shakespeare Up Close to the Orange Tree Theatre!

Shakespeare Up Close is a co-production with Guildford Shakespeare Company.

Find out what participating teachers have said about Shakespeare Up Close:

“A fantastic production, fizzing with tension and energy.”
“A really inspiring production, full of feeling and energy. The text was wonderfully articulated by the actors. The students were completely engaged throughout – a fantastic experience!”

Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet will tour schools in late November, before playing for a week at the OT.

What is Shakespeare Up Close?

Designed to support the curriculum at KS3 and KS4, these 80-minute abridgements tell the complete story using Shakespeare’s original text. Contemporary settings and clear, dynamic staging make the plays accessible to students at any stage of their study.

These dynamic 80-minute abridgements:

bring the plays to life for KS3 and KS4 students
use Shakespeare’s original text
tell the complete story, including all major characters
reimagine the plays in a contemporary setting, making the themes relevant for a young audience

Dates:

On tour to schools: 20th-30th November 2023. Performances as per school’s booking.

At the Orange Tree Theatre: 5th-10th December 2023. Performances as follows:

Date	11am	2pm
Tue 5 December	Macbeth	Romeo & Juliet
Wed 6 December	Macbeth	Romeo & Juliet
Thu 7 December	Macbeth
Fri 8 December	Romeo & Juliet	Macbeth
Sat 9 December (public performance)	Romeo & Juliet
Sun 10 December (public performance)		Macbeth

You can:

Book a production of either play to come to your school, 20-30 November, at a cost of £595 for one performance, or £1070 for two (£795 and £1430 for independent schools). Performances can be followed by a Q&A workshop session, allowing further exploration of language, characters and main themes.

Bring your students to a production at the OT, 5th-10th December, at a cost of £10 per pupil (£13 for independent schools) – discount for 3 classes or more.

Please note that we will tour strictly for nine days, i.e. a max of eighteen performances, so book quickly.

To book, or with any further queries, email francesca.ellis@orangetreetheatre.co.uk