Theatre Group Workshops

First Witch:

When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning or in rain?

Second witch:

When the hurlyburly's done,
When the battle's lost and won

Third witch:

That will be ere the set of sun.

First witch:

Where the place?

Second witch:

Upon the heath.

Third witch:

There to meet with Macbeth.

On a cold Tuesday and Wednesday near the beginning of term, two actors from the Multi-story Theatre Group visited the school to run drama and acting workshops with the children in KS2. These workshops were arranged by Miss Simmonds and Mr Mockridge to help the children with their English work - and because they were going to be fun!

(Click here to read Miss Simmonds' report of the story telling workshops run for Year 3 and 4)

The Year 5 and 6 children had been working on Macbeth and, after some warming-up exercises, were organised into groups. Each group learnt some lines from the opening scene of the play - when Macbeth meets the three witches (these are the lines from the top of the page). There was much cackling and screeching as they tried to look, act and speak like hideous old hags (Shakespeare's words - not mine!)

Following that, the children chose different parts of the play and were organised into the same order as the events happened. They were asked to act out their own part of the play, finding a moment to "freeze-frame" as if in a photograph.

In this picture (right) the girls act as the forest moves towards Macbeth's castle. Can you work out the scenes being acted in the following photos (below)?

The children really enjoyed their workshop and it has helped them understand the play a little better. They also enjoyed the chance to to some acting - particularly as the witches! Well done everybody.