NATIONAL THEATRE CONTINUES WOLVERHAMPTON PARTNERSHIP
National Theatre’s critically acclaimed film of Romeo and Juliet to be shared for free with secondary schools across Wolverhampton and The Black Country
As part of its Theatre Nation Partnerships initiative, the NT is working with six secondary schools in Wolverhampton and the Black Country to deliver an in-depth creative learning programme alongside the NT’s new film of Romeo and Juliet which was broadcast on Sky Arts to critical acclaim on Sunday 4th April.
The NT’s nationwide Theatre Nations Partnerships programme, is an initiative, launched in 2017, to grow audiences and increase engagement in arts and theatre in six targeted areas across the UK in collaboration with local theatres and schools, including Wolverhampton in partnership with Wolverhampton Grand. Local schools involved include:
- St Peter’s Collegiate School
- Thorns Collegiate Academy, Brierley Hill
- King’s CE School
- Ormiston NEW Academy
- Ormiston Shelfield Academy, Walsall
- Coppice Performing Arts School
Starring Jessie Buckley (Chernobyl, Judy) and Josh O’Connor (The Crown, God’s Own Country) as the star-crossed lovers and directed by NT Associate Simon Godwin, the secondary schools will be able to stream the film directly into the classroom. They will also have access to digital learning resources including filmed rehearsal diaries, behind-the-scenes interviews and a short documentary exploring how the film was made in extraordinary circumstances while much of the country was in lockdown.
Participating schools will also receive copies of scripts, a selection of props used in the film and technical equipment to give students the opportunity to explore some of the behind-the-scenes details. Teachers will take part in professional training to explore how the production can be used creatively in the teaching of English and Drama. Students will then be invited to produce their own creative response to Romeo and Juliet, inspired by the film.
Simon Godwin, Director of Romeo and Juliet said, “I hope exploring the production of Romeo and Juliet through this film will inspire younger audiences and give participating schools across the UK a unique insight into the incredible craft involved behind the scenes, from the rehearsal stages to prop creation. This new 90-minute film is a contemporary interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s most widely studied plays, and I hope this in-depth programme will bring the text and production to life in the classroom and give the whole school an opportunity to watch and explore together”.
Following the closure of schools due to the coronavirus pandemic and the challenges of disrupted learning for young people nationwide, the NT has remained committed to supporting the artists of the future and the educators that support them. Discover more about the NT’s digital resources and learning programmes at www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learning
The NT’s Theatre Nation partners and areas are: Doncaster, with Cast; the Greater Manchester area with The Lowry, Salford; Outer East London with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch; Sunderland with the Sunderland Empire and Sunderland Culture; Wakefield with the Theatre Royal; Wolverhampton with The Grand.
For more information please contact Rhian Bennett on rbennett@nationaltheatre.org.uk