Academic News

Live theatre returns with Shakespeare at the Globe

Raphaella Auret and Annie Xu (L6): “Watching Measure for Measure in the Globe Theatre deepened our understanding of the play and allowed us to see how a script is brought alive by actors. Blanche McIntyre’s 1970’s makeover of Measure for Measure in the candle-lit Sam Wannamaker Playhouse at London’s Globe Theatre marked a “gripping” return to live theatre for L6 A Level English students.

Blanche McIntyre ’ s Measure for Measure was the first live production that some of us had ever seen, and it did not disappoint. Totally different to viewing a recording on screen, it reminded us of our love for Shakespeare and live performance.

McIntyre tackled Shakespeare

’ s notorious ‘ problem play ’ by relocating it from the brothels of 17th century Vienna to 1970s London. The theatre was lit up by slender beeswax candles “like fingers of Jacobean gloves ” , creating an intimate atmosphere, enhanced by a madrigal band playing dreamy 1970s melodies. McIntyre also played with gender politics. Choosing a female actress to play Escalus (Ishia Bennison) made her wedding proposal to Isabella (Georgie Landers), at the end of the play, more progressive.

The asphyxiating silence created by Isabella ’ s paused reply, however, left the audience unsatisfied, bringing an untidy, rather than happy, end to a supposed comedy. This made us think about our own views on Shakespeare ’ s ending, which we know was rather ‘ out the blue ’ . Asked to describe the play in one word, we concluded: “ gripping “inventive ” , “ modern ” , “ stimulating ” and “ pedagogic ” , which I later learned means “ relating to teaching!”

Kitty Shropshire (L6) Abridged from a review first published in The Sherborne Times (March)

In the spirit of the Bard

M5 found out how much fun GCSE Shakespeare can be during a riotously entertaining theatrical competition in March. Each class performed a given scene from their GCSE text, Twelfth Night. Pupils and staff stepped up to the challenge with enthusiasm and humour, combining extraordinary costumes and props with brilliant acting and line learning.

Ian McClary, English Teacher and Deputy Head (Co-curricular and Planning): “What a great way for the pupils to get into the spirit of Shakespeare! The emotional depth and range, the comic conventions, the slapstick humour. They covered it all and kept each other well and truly entertained. Mrs Corran ’ s team, with Eli Benbow (Maria), Kythe Comstive (Sir Andrew Aguecheek) and Beatrice Coode (Sir Toby Belch), were crowned overall winners for their fabulously comic timing. Amaka Agwo (Sir Toby) and Natasha Close (Fabian) generated the most laughter with their ridiculous hats. Anna Windle in a priest’ s dog collar brought the house down without a single word while Savannah Collins amazed with an impromptu rap. The most outrageous costume prize went to Miss McCall’ s class who found reason for a wedding dress and a tinsel wig!