This printable and informative article first appeared in the show programme for the RSC's 2006 production of Romeo and Juliet. Why was Shakespeare fascinated with Italy? Dr Alison Shell, a Reader in English Studies at Durham University investigates the 1600 equivalent of Hollywood.

This printable resource is designed as a reference guide for teachers. We have listed the major themes and motifs within A Midsummer Night's Dream and provided examples of scenes where they can be studied. Suitable for all Key Stages. Find more of our resources on our website: www.rsc.org.uk/education/teacher-resources

This printable information resource on Hamlet by William Shakespeare is brought to you by the RSC. Print it for your class to gain vital insight into the rehearsal process. The famous tragedy of Hamlet was brought to life for many audience members new to Shakespeare by director Gregory Doran's clear storytelling and familiar modern setting. For the show's programme, the Hamlet company created a Rehearsal Scrapbook detailing the different stages of production.

This printable teaching resource is an article which first appeared in the show programme for the RSC's 2006 production of Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare. Author Tom Holland describes the world in which the play takes place.

This printable Shakespeare teaching resource is designed as a reference guide for teachers. We have listed the major themes and motifs within King Lear by William Shakespeare and provided examples of scenes where you can study them.

This free teachers' pack contains classroom activities based on Rupert Goold's 2010/11 production of Romeo and Juliet. They have been designed with KS3 and KS4 students in mind, but can be adapted for other ages. The activities are: - Presenting the prologue, as a way into the play - Designing the play - Exploring how Romeo and Juliet meet through movement

Actor Greg Hicks plays Macbeth in the 2004 production and believes the whole play is leading up to the moment we see in Act 5 Scene 5. He also discusses the play's theme of free will and fate and suggests that Macbeth had no control over his destiny. A resource that can be used to lead discussions as to the power of magic and the supernatural in Shakespeare's plays, the position that magic held in Tudor society and then within the court of James I and how magic and the supernatural are key elements within other Shakespeare plays and why. Suitable for upper Key Stage 2 onwards. Find more of our resources on our website: www.rsc.org.uk/education/teacher-resources

This pack supports the RSC’s 2012 productions of Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors and The Tempest directed by RSC Associate Director David Farr. These productions were part of the World Shakespeare Festival and the three plays were cross-cast within one acting company and one shared environment; creating a world of shipwrecks, grief, laughter, love and reunion. The activities in this pack are inspired by the themes in the three plays and can be used either as stand-alone practical approaches to the plays or as supporting activities for students seeing the productions. They have been designed with KS3 students in mind, but can be adapted for other age groups. Some are best suited to an open space such as a hall, but many can be used in a classroom. The pack is divided up into 10 distinct sections designed to help you to plan your lessons: Introduction and About our Education work; About the plays; From the director David Farr; Internationalism and migration; About the director Amir Nizar Zuabi; Egeon’s speech; Themes and ideas in the plays; Activities; Storytelling and improvisation and More resources. There are activities within each section which follow the RSC's active approach to learning about Shakespeare and are driven and guided by our rehearsal room practice. Find more of our resources on our website: www.rsc.org.uk/education/teacher-resources

This pack supports the RSC’s 2018 production of Macbeth, directed by Polly Findlay and performed in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon and then at the Barbican in London. The activities provided are specifically designed to support Key Stage 3-4 students, irrespective of whether they are attending a performance or studying the play in school although there are specific details relating to this production throughout. There are activities within each section of the pack which follow the RSC’s active approach to learning about Shakespeare and are driven and guided by our rehearsal room practice. The pack also contains text based resources and some key scenes from the play.

This pack supports the RSC’s 2018 production of Romeo and Juliet, directed by Erica Whyman and performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon and then on tour across the UK. The activities provided are specifically designed to support Key Stage 3-4 students, irrespective of whether they are attending a performance or studying the play in school although there are specific details relating to this production throughout. There are activities within each section which follow the RSC’s active approach to learning about Shakespeare and are driven and guided by our rehearsal room practice. The pack also contains text based resources and some key scenes from the play.