Warwickshire News Mine

After performances by more than 70 schools in Stratford, taking on between them the complete works of Shakespeare, the focus will switch to Warwick on Wednesday.

The Stratford festivities were organised alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Complete Works festival. More than 2300 pupils performed excerpts from the Bard’s works in a specially-built outdoor theatre in Stratford in the schools’ version, organised by Warwickshire County Council Arts Zone.

Rex Pogson, director of Arts Zone, said: “Warwickshire’s children really have taken Shakespeare to their hearts. We have enjoyed performances from pupils of all ages that have been very different in their interpretation but have shared a similar theme – the energy, creativity and dynamism that Shakespeare inspires. The partnership between Warwickshire County Council and the RSC has given these children an opportunity which is unique and they will cherish for the rest of their lives.”

Children from Great Alne Primary School will be casting spells in a performance based on the Tempest at the Bridgehouse Theatre in Warwick on 12 July at 7.30pm.

Their show is with London-based sound artist Charlie Dark and film-maker Trevor Mathison as part of the Another Country project, which has been running in the village of Great Alne, near Alcester, for a year.

Other young people from the village have also been involved in projects with urban artists. Students from the Seymour Centre, the pupil referral unit in Great Alne, have been working with Trevor Mathison and the Young Farmers Association to produce a film explaining about rural life from young people’s perspective.

Exploring the stereotypes young people living in the countryside face, the project was displayed at the Royal Show last week and was visited by David Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and David Cameron, Conservative Party Leader.

Older people in Great Alne have also been involved in the project, recording their reminiscences about village life and using these stories as a basis for a performance for people of all generations.

Another Country is funded by Warwickshire County Council and the Arts Council England in partnership with inIVA (Institute of International Visual Arts) and the Rugby Art Gallery & Museum.

Organiser Vikki Holroyd, from Warwickshire County Council’s Artists in Education programme, said: “The opportunity to bring artists from an urban background together with people from a Warwickshire village has been very rewarding for everyone involved in Another Country. The students of the pupil referral unit and the young farmers have worked well together to express their views on life in the countryside, and their film installation attracted a lot of interest at the Royal Show. The children from Great Alne Primary School are the next group to take the limelight and their interpretation of the Tempest is bound to delight.”

Link to WCC