In March, a group of A Level English and Drama students from Year 12 and Year 13 at Croydon High School visited the Globe Theatre on London’s Southbank to watch the matinee performance of Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’.

 

Everyone was so excited and could not wait for the show to begin. The atmosphere inside the theatre was incredible, and the actors, staging and production all contributed to the marvellous unravelling of the famous Shakespeare play.

 

The play tells the story of Othello (played by actor Lloyd Everitt), an outsider who is welcomed into Venice, but who despite his power does not fully integrate into society. Brabantino is unhappy that Othello has married his daughter, Desdemona, however it is ultimately the jealous Iago who poisons Othello against his wife and leads to the breakdown of their relationship – and the ultimate downfall of many of the main characters.

 

The Globe Theatre aims to get as many young people as possible interested in Shakespeare’s work. “Playing Shakespeare” with Deutsche Bank is the Globe Theatre’s project for London schools, with 16,000 free tickets given to state school students for a full-scale Shakespeare production. In addition to this, the theatre puts on workshops for young people to prepare them for their visit to the Globe.

 

Many schools in and around Croydon have been involved in the project, including Oasis Academy Shirley Park, Riddlesdown High School and Archbishop Tenison’s School. Clearly, the project is having an impact – one year 10 student said it has “definitely made me want to study more Shakespeare and see more plays performed.”

 

Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of our time, and it is exciting that so many young people are able to experience his greatness thanks to the work of the Globe Theatre. Escaping into Shakespeare’s world for an afternoon was a pleasurable experience for all those involved; it is incredible how the work of the greatest writer ever still lives on and is appreciated today. And this month which marks his birthday on 23rd April is a great time to remember Shakespeare’s genius and his relevance to today.

 

Kirsty Bailey

Croydon High School