Young Forest Gate actors take to the stage for Shakespeare comedy
Pupils at Elmhurst Primary School in Forest Gate don masks for their performances of Much Ado About Nothing - Credit: Archant
It’s not every day that you witness seven-year-old children delivering Shakespeare with passion and aplomb.
Around twenty pupils aged between seven and nine were involved in the production - Credit: Archant
But such a scene appeared at Elmhurst Primary School on Sunday, when young thespians captivated their audience with two performances of the Bard’s Much Ado About Nothing.
“We think his plays are brilliant,” explained headteacher Sukwinder Samra.
“They really studied the characters and plot of the play, and the Shakespearean language.”
Around 20 children aged seven to nine took part in the production, which they rehearsed for up to five months with the help of professional actor Narinder Samra and teacher Kathlene Colthrust.
The comedy, written more than 400 years ago, centres around the chaos that interferes with the happiness of two couples.
“We used quite a lot of the original language,” said Sukwinder.
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“I think they really understood the humour and they really like the duplicity.
“We don’t think Shakespeare is dry, we think children can be inspired by him,” added Sukwinder.
The Forest Gate school has a history of giving their pupils an opportunity to sample the man considered to be the most gifted writer in the English language – and is unlikely to stop now.
“This is our eighth Shakespeare play on the trot,” said Sukwinder.
