Royal Shakespeare Company Master Class

Shakespeare was brought to life on February 10th 2005 Monday when Juliet Forster from the Royal Shakespeare Company held a master class at the Wyvern Theatre. English and drama teachers from Commonweal School and drama specialists from Sixth Sense Theatre Company, Big State Theatre Company and other drama teachers from the county were invited to attend this one day event.

Drawing on some of the bard's best known plays, this practical course explored how to bring Shakespeare's text to life with and for young people. The day was relevant to those wanting to direct their own productions, as well as using exercises suitable for use in workshop sessions. The course covered: the director's approach, bringing characters to life, using improvisation to animate a scene, texual interpretation, rehearsal techniques and getting to grips with the verse.

The event was organised by Sixth Sense Theatre Company and sponsored by Commonweal School - A Performing Arts College and all that took part will share the knowledge they gained with young people and peers. Commented Phil Leslie - Head of English at Commonweal. "It was a fantastic experience and the knowledge gained will be ideal for year nine SATS and year ten coursework. It made the bard's text more interesting and understandable and we will be looking at utilising dramatic techniques and disseminating to the rest off the department." Ruth Becket - Acting Head of Drama and Commonweal added. " The master class gave us ideas on how to make Shakespeare accessible and we will certainly be using the techniques we have learnt, especially characterisation and stage fighting."

Benedict Eccles, Sixth Sense Theatre Company's Artistic Director, who negotiated the event with the Royal Shakespeare Company, said " Sixth Sense is committed to helping local professional theatre practitioners, develop their work; without them working in our community, theatre and the arts would be in decline and we all want Swindon to get the recognition it deserves as a thriving place to live and work".