Schools Matinees & pre-show workshops for Local Schools
Schools Matinees & Pre-Show Workshop
As part of our summer tours, we offer Schools Matinee with a pre-show workshop included, at selected outdoor venues, giving young people the opportunity to experience Shakespeare in an outdoor venue, close to home.
Each matinee includes a 20-minute pre-show workshop, led by members of the cast, introducing students to the characters and themes of the play before the performance. The play runs for approximately 90 minutes and is a fun, modern and accessible production, combining Shakespeare with great acting, music, dance and lots of fun - giving students a fun first take on The Bard.
The workshop and performance are suitable for KS2–KS5 - and teachers too!
We want to keep our Schools Matinees accessible to schools, so tickets are available at the significantly reduced price of £4.50 per student (standard children’s tickets are £9+). Teachers and those supporting students with additional needs come free.
Our 2027 Schools Matinees will take place in Newham, Walthamstow and Thanet, Kent.
For more information or to enquire about booking a Schools Matinee, please email info@elsf.uk with the subject line ‘Schools Matinee’.
Student Feedback
Testimonial - Tanya Spain, Deputy Head at South Grove Primary School
“Thank you for the amazing performance of Romeo and Juliet. My year 6 group thoroughly enjoyed the production and we were so happy that we were able to see something so local (we walked to the town hall).. it was also wonderful that the weather co-operated!
We are a school in an area of high deprivation and we would not be able to afford to pay for 90 children to attend a play in London. Thanks to your supportive costing structure, we were able to engage 90 children in a fantastic production! This was an event that they will remember for years to come. Not only that, it will embed knowledge and build confidence when speaking about Shakespeare in Secondary School. You make Shakespeare accessible for all!!”
The pre-show workshops are designed by our artistic directors, Rosie Ward and Ursula Early.
Rosie runs educational theatre company, UpFront Theatre Company, which specialises in providing interactive workshops & plays exploring the PSHE Suggested Programme of Study for KS2, 3 & 4. She has worked extensively in educational theatre company, including The Young Shakespeare Company.
Ursula is an experienced workshop leader and facilitator and has designed and delivered an extensive range of acting and drama workshops for theatre companies and Drama Schools.
She has taught as an adult acting teacher for City Academy, She has Level 3 OCNLR Accredited Diploma in Leading Dance for Older People (course provided by Green Candle Dance Company). She is also currently on the professional development faculty of Dance Research Studio and teaches on their Professional Development Programme.