Y8 Hamnet Trip 2023

The Drama department was delighted to take Year 8 to Stratford on Thursday to spend the day discovering the world of William Shakespeare.  Rather extraordinarily, the house where Shakespeare was born in 1564 is still standing, despite many attempts by various individuals to buy it or demolish it. In the 1800’s the well known circus owner, P T Barnum was intent on transporting it across the Atlantic and touring it around America! Luckily, the Brits stepped in, found the money, saved the house and Year 8 could explore it in 2023.   After learning about Shakespeare’s early life in Stratford, The Royal Shakespeare Company led an inspiring Drama workshop on ‘Hamlet’, and as always our students impressed her with their confidence, bravery and curiosity.  Next stop was King Edward’s Grammar School where we wrote with quill pens, spoke in Latin and learnt that the current students celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday each year by carrying wild flowers and laying them on his grave. The evening concluded with a magnificent performance of the world premiere of ‘Hamnet’, performed in The Swan Theatre by the RSC.  Well done, Year 8; your contributions were intelligent, creative and always spirited!