Sunny Stratford for our Sixth Formers

The Upper Sixth trip to Stratford Upon Avon was a sunny treat. To complement the English Lit A-Level study of King Lear, the English department saw outstanding productions of Macbeth  (a stunning bay, bagpipes, terrifying witches, a hilarious porter updated for the C21st) and The Merchant of Venice, transposed to the East End of London during the 1930s rise of fascism and featuring a female Shylock. They secured a fascinating backstage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, learning lots of insider secrets, and a trip to see Shakespeare’s grave and the medieval carvings that filled his imagination in Holy Trinity Church. Mrs Hood gave a talk on the presentation of women in the plays and students were asked to draw links with King Lear, tracing imagery of social and natural disorder, kingship, fathers and children and role of the Fool.

A big thank you to Ms Selvey and the English department for organising such an inspiring visit.