Summer Shakespeare at St Katharines School

I went to a Technical School back in the 1960s and 70's.
These schools were created during the Wilson years and were part of the drive to set Britian aglow with the "White heat of technological revolution."
At A level the subject choices were science, science or science or maths. If I had heard the name Shakespeare at the time I would have guessed he was a leader of the rebel tribesmen in Zulu - a film that was big at the time.
When I was first introduced to a Shakepearean text it left me cold. The meaning of the verse is impenetrable at first reading and the meter and flavour of the words is subdued on the flat page.
I learned to appreciate Shakespeare much later watching it performed on stage. When you return to the text with images and characterisations in your mind it can live again in your imagination.
This is why I've believed for several years that the best time to capture children's interest in Shakespeare is when they are at primary school.
Primary children lack the prejudices and inhibitions that I and many others developed through adolescence. Young children learn the meaning of the words by acting them out. Shakespeare contains more action and passion than any soap opera.
Any child with a sense for the beauty and utility of language will be aware that they are swimming in a sensual sea of hidden depths, undercurrents and metaphors even if they don't grasp where these currents are taking them.
This is our hope as we embark on rehearsals for our play. It will be called The Life and Smirks of William Shakespeare. Parts of it are funny links to draw in some of the most famous characters and speeches of The Bard. Much of it will be the words of The Bard himself in the mouths of babes and sucklings. There will be little editing of Shakespeare's words.
We are aiming for a Shakespeare in the park feeling. Part of the play will take place outside whatever the weather.
The production will probably happen during the last week of term.
Next time you find yourself behind a St Katharine's child in the queue at the new Tescos in Hungerford you could also be behind Henry 5th, Prospero, Richard 3rd, Romeo or Juillette who might drop into a speech to "summon up a muse of fire "- given the right kind of cue.