Newly refurbished Stratford Library is hosting a free hip hop workshop to celebrate Charles Dickens’ 200th birthday.

The Hip Hop Shakespeare Company are taking a break from the Bard to perform Hip Hop Dickens in three venues in east London.

The music theatre production company specialise in engaging young people with the arts by challenging their perception of what is relevant to them.

A London Libraries intiative in association with Penguin Classics, Dickens 2012, and Cityread London, the event highlights the similarities between hip hop and Dickens classic Oliver Twist to bring the text to life for a new generation.

The workshops will culminate in a performance from company founder and MOBO award-winning artist Akala.

Hip Hop Dickens is coming to Stratford Library, The Grove, at 2pm on April 28, Dalston CLR James Library, Dalston Squareat 10am on April 26, and the V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, at 10am on April 15.