Kew Review Kew Review 2017 | Page 47

Year 6 Flying Twelfth Night trip As part of their study of Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night, Year 6 attended a performance by theatre company Shakespeare Up Close, at the Orange Tree Theatre. The production was aimed at school children studying the bard and was both engaging and accessible. Six actors brought Shakespeare’s darkest romantic comedy to life in a mischievous, feisty production that made Shakespeare relevant to a younger audience by teaming a vibrant production with crystal clear text. There was plenty of farce and musical interludes, and even some audience participation where the actors encouraged the pupils to sing along. Year 6 responded positively to the modern setting and were impressed at how, with very few props and very little staging, the company brought to life a complicated love story with wit and energy, which held their rapt attention for the entire 90 minutes. “The performance got everyone involved and explained the sto- ry clearly.” Theo E “Very entertaining and interactive!” Siobhan T “A hilarious perfor- mance, extremely funny!” Evie M “ Hilariously entertaining; it was full of confusion and romance.” Anya S “I really enjoyed the modern setting, which helped me understand the play better.” Sophia B “I loved the fact I could understand more, because we had studied the play.” Katie B One face, one voice, one habit, and two persons. Misunderstandings, confusions and chaos, meet a world full of ambition, trickery and experimentation. A life where love does not necessarily appear how you expect it to. A time where the rules may not be as clear cut as they once used to be... 46