Students from Eight Schools Across East Kent Will Perform JULIUS CAESAR at The Marlowe Theatre Later this Month

The schools are in the third year of a long-term partnership between the theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), called the Learning and Performance Network. They are: King Ethelbert, Birchington (the lead school), Cliftonville Primary, Dame Janet Primary, Ramsgate, Highworth Grammar, Ashford, King's School, Rochester, St Mary's Catholic Primary, Whitstable, St Saviour's Primary, Westgate, and The Ashford School.

Over the past few months, a teacher from each school has been working with practitioners from The Marlowe and the RSC to explore and develop the children's understanding and passion for performing Shakespeare. Each school has chosen a scene to perform from Julius Caesar, the iconic tale of political intrigue and conspiracy. As well as performing, pupils will provide support behind the scenes, including marketing, costume and set design, and lighting.

In June, the pupils have been invited to Shakespeare's home town of Stratford-upon-Avon to perform on one of the RSC's stages as part of its Schools' Festival.

Carol O' Shea, Head of Reading Development at King Ethelbert, and lead LPN teacher, said the last three years have been an "enriching experience" for pupils and staff, adding: "My students have enjoyed discovering the power of Shakespeare's language and I can't wait to see the results on stage at The Marlowe stage.

"It is so inspiring to see students engaging with Shakespeare and understanding the language, themes and characters in such a sophisticated way, getting the Bard's work off the page and onto the stage. Sheer joy!"

Julius Caesar is at The Marlowe Theatre at 7pm on Monday 13 March. Tickets are £5 (concessions available; booking fee applies) from the Box Office on 01227 787787, or marlowetheatre.com.

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