We think it is important for our international pupils to have a glimpse of British life outside the confines of school.

Shakespearian English can be challenging for the most British among us, but this does not mean the essential genius of the Bard cannot be enjoyed by all, even those whose first language is not English. So, as proof of this we took 30 international pupils to the Globe Theatre on Bankside in London to experience Elizabethan English, Shakespeare’s timeless wisdom and the ‘entertainment factor’ of  the Elizabethan theatre, in a production of Romeo and Juliet. With an audience of predominantly school children in mind, the young director chose to present a suitably ‘theatrical’ and surprising version of the ‘star-crossed lovers’ tragedy, with a feisty Juliet, a very comical nurse, armed perpetually with shopping bags and a take-away coffee, a deliciously camp Mercutio and a Romeo who managed a wilting swoon throughout. Tybalt was played by a female actor.   

“But the theatre is so small!” was the first comment from Luis on approaching the Globe from over the Millenium Bridge. So we had to do a mental Tardis activity and go back in time to the South Bank in an era of dog fighting, bear baiting and other insalubrious pastimes (as acting was then considered, by some), and imagine how the Globe was probably the largest building on the South Bank.

As the rain came down on the ‘groundlings’ in the yard, during Juliet’s banishment from her father’s house, our pupils were happy that we had tickets for the balconies and were in fact up in the Gods! This was an interesting experience as they heard just how perfect the acoustics in the Globe are. If Shakespeare’s language itself was challenging, the performances were engaging and the stage effects perfect for a young audience, with lots of blood, edgy costumes, a band and some super-cool hip hop dance routines. I think our pupils learnt that Shakespeare is also synonymous with entertainment and is timeless enough to inspire many interpretations.

Culture makes you ever so hungry, so half an hour’s replenishment, in Paternoster Square by St Paul's Cathedral, set us all up for the bus trip back to Bruton.

Nicola Checketts - Head of EAL