Historical Dance and Drama Workshops
KS1 + KS2
Workshops are comprised of an educational performance from the workshop leader as a historical icon from that time. Children will then learn a traditional dance from the period which will be integrated in a performance at the end of the workshop. This is followed by a voice and movement session: pupils will be given short scripts and taught how to effectively move text from 'page to stage'. The workshop is rounded off with a showcase of scenes rehearsed along with the taught traditional dance of the period.
If there are particular areas within the topic you would like to be covered, we can tailor a workshop to your school's needs - please get in touch.
The Shakespeare Workshop
Led by: The Bard himself, William Shakespeare.
Script Focus: Choose from - Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream or The Tempest.
Dance: Galliard & Pavane
Suitable for: Key Stage 2
*Shakespeare Week 18th -24th March 2024*
The Tudor Workshop
Led by: William Sommers, Court Jester of Henry VIII
Focus: Children will be taught the basics of clowning and audience responsiveness by professional Jester William Sommers, who has enlisted the help of the children to devise and perform a clowning routine for Henry VIII's fortnightly feast.
Dance: The Gavotte
Suitable for: Key Stage 1 and 2
The Victorian Workshop
Led by: Playwright and Poet, Oscar Wilde.
Focus: Children will be taught to apply melodrama and characterisation of social class through voice and body for comedic effect to bring an adapted extract from 'The Importance of being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde to life for Queen Victoria's Royal Ball at Buckingham Palace.
Dance: The Basket Set Quadrille
Suitable for: Key Stage 1 and 2
The Anglo-Saxon Workshop
Led by: Reginbald the Scribe
Focus: Alfred the Great has just conquered York, unifying the nation to become the first King of England. To celebrate, pupils will be taught how to effectively retell the story of Beowulf using voice and body to portray emotions, ready for the newly crowned Kings inaugural feast.
Dance: Medieval Basse Dance
Suitable for: Key Stage 2
The Greek Workshop
Led by: Playwright and Poet, Sophocles
Focus: Renowned playwright and Poet Sophocles is directing a new play 'Orpheus and Eurydice' , but he needs a group of performers to bring his text to life for the most important dramatic festival, City Dionysia. Pupils will be taught how to convey emotions through voice and body as well as performance as a Choric Ode. Can Sophocles take home this years prize once more?
Dance: Bacchic Dance
Suitable for: Key Stage 2
The Roman Workshop
Led by: Playwright and Poet, Plautus.
Focus: Roman Playwright Plautus is in need of a cast for his latest production to be performed at the banquet of ruler Nero. Pupils will be taught how to effectively use voice and body to depict the classic comedic character tropes found in Ancient Roman Theatre.
Dance: Phyrric Dance
Suitable for: Key Stage 1 and 2
The Egyptian Workshop
Led by: King Tutankhamun
Focus: As Pharoah of Egypt, King Tut wants to celebrate his 18th birthday with a performance for his royal subjects about iconic Egyptian Gods, the Afterlife and an informative interactive demonstration of how to (in the unlikely event) effectively mummify a young Pharoah.
Dance: The 'Hbi' Dance
Suitable for: Key Stage 2
The WW2 Workshop
Coming soon...
