On 25 September, Year 9 students were treated to a performance of ‘Shakespeare is Dead’ by Bell Shakespeare. Bell Shakespeare is Australia’s national theatre company specialising in the work of Shakespeare.
‘Shakespeare is Dead’ involves a medley of Shakespeare’s most iconic scenes, characters and speeches designed to support the students’ understanding of the prolific writer’s context and language. This dynamic play extends the students’ classroom learning in English by bringing Shakespeare’s work to life on the stage.
The Year 9s were highly engaged during the performance which included a lot of action and comedy. Some students and staff were even involved in some impromptu acting!
Ultimately, Bell Shakespeare helps students understand why we continue to study and perform Shakespearean plays, not only because of the playwright and poet’s revolutionary impact on English literature, but because the characters and themes help us examine what it means to be human.
Miss Danica Scolyer
Learning Area Leader English