The end of term brings to an end the English Shakespeare Company’s national tour of Henry V, which played to 7,000 children in more than primary 120 schools. Like all the ESC projects, it has combined school workshops with a theatre visit to see a specially adapted production of the play, written by Shakespeare and Schools veteran Sarah Gordon and directed by Christopher Geelan. Among the highlights were the regular scenes of up to 400 young children invading France. To find out about next year’s programme, ring the ESC on 0171 403 1515.
An arts event of a very different nature comes to an end tomorrow. The Corbet School in Shrewsbury has been running an Arts Week that has offered students nearly 50 diffferent activities, the range of which has run from the whole community making a giant jigsaw to kite making to Australian percussion to Caribbean dance, food and Carnival mask and costume making.
The National Theatre is running three five-day workshops open to all adults. Making Theatre (July 22-26) explores physical, vocal and imaginative resources of the performer, using improvisation and group work. Mask and Greek Drama in Performance (July 29-August 2) emphasises the role of the chorus in Greek drama. Shakespeare on Stage (August 19-23) concentrates on the language and drama of a selection of plays. The latter two workshops culminate in a short performance project. For details, ring 0171 928 2033.
Suffolk Young Peoples Theatre celebrates its 18th year with a revival of its 1983 Godspell, being performed in St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds from July 30 to August 3. Over the years, 800 young people have been involved in the annual summer schools. For south London kids, Battersea Arts Centre is running a programme of actitivities throughout the summer. Included are drama workshops led by Tam Tam Theatre Company, circus skills with Kazzum Arts Project and a performance piece involving UFOs intriguingly called The Ex Files. All activities are age-grouped. For details, ring 0171 223 2223.
Oakwood Comprehensive, Rotherham, deserves an accolade for taking on not one but two Ayckboun plays for its end-of-year bash. On two consecutive nights last week, students performed Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations and Mother Figure. A rather more sobering theatrical event takes place in Oxford from July 22 to 27. The Greek theatre company Theatriki Leschi performs Antigone in the original at St John’s College. Details: 01865 798600.
Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s Funnybones is adapted for the stage and being presented at Havil Hall, Camberwell, south London until July 25. Bookings on 0171 708 5401.
Also in south London until the end of July, Goldsmith College MA students are presenting Duck Hunting, a rarely performed play by Aleksandr Vampilov along with a new play by resident playwright Steven Dykes. For more information, ring Ben Chamberlain on 0181 265 8451.
Sue Reddish, youth theatre director at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, is looking to set up a skills exchange workshop for drama teachers who would like to share ideas, games and techniques. For more information, write to her at the Octagon, Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SB. Sue is also running a three-week drama project for 14-16 year olds from August 5 to 25, culminating in a production. Ring her on 01204 529407 for further details.
