Royal Shakespeare Company Playmaking Festival

Yesterday, Eloise Hope (CHS), Rory Bean (CHS), Joe Muddiman (CHS), Jessica Shilling (CPS), Abigail Clay (CPS) and Pedro Jiminiz Marque(CPS) represented our schools at the RSC Playmaking Festival, alongside 20 other pupils from our RSC Associate Schools Programme (Canterbury Road Primary, Ethelbert Road Primary, Herne Bay Juniors, Lynsted & Norton Primary, St Gregory’s Catholic Primary, Rochester Grammar, Folkestone Academy and Towers School).

Pupils performed their production of The Tempest in The Other Place, the RSC studio theatre, as part of the RSC’s annual Playmaking Festival. Having had only 4 rehearsals to put together their 30 minute performance, the cast (who had barely met beforehand) worked together well, crafting creative, thoughtful and energetic performances, which had the audience reacting notably throughout and cheering at the curtain call.

Performing at the RSC (or rather being the RSC, as they were told they were during their technical run), is such a unique opportunity for anyone and the impact on the pupils can’t be underestimated. They were treated in exactly the same way as professional actors would be and they responded accordingly. If you see any of the young people involved, do ask them about their experiences. It was a long day so I would expect some tired children (and staff!) today.

Thank you so much to Mr Palmer for driving the minibus and supporting rehearsals and to Janet Tong for her support on the day.