THE Royal Shakespeare Company is offering families a whole host of fun in Stratford-upon-Avon this May half-term with a week of exciting activities.

Highlights at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre later this month include:-

*Design your own carnival mask inspired by traditional costumes from Venice using a range of colourful materials at free special RSC drop-in sessions.

*Check out our brand new exhibition, Sea-Markings, and find out more about the world of 16th century Venice.

*Explore a selection of rarely displayed props, costumes and accessories from the RSC Collection.

The activities on offer include…

FREE DROP-IN ACTIVITY (NO NEED TO BOOK - CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT).

Craft  Workshop:

Venetian Masquerade Masks – Upper Circle Bar - Tuesday May 26, 2pm-4pm,
Thursday May 28, 10.30am-12 noon and Friday May 29, 2pm-4pm. Design your own carnival mask inspired by traditional costumes from Venice using a range of colourful materials. Suitable for all ages.

Dressing Up Box – Colonnade, Royal Shakespeare Theatre Monday – Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Dress-up with a range of special props from the RSC Costume Store. The permanent dressing-up box is for all ages.

Play Cart – RSC Riverside Café - Monday – Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Families can enjoy an array of craft activities with the RSC Play Cart available in the Riverside Cafe.

Secrets from the RSC Collection – Upper Circle Bar - Tuesday May 26, 11am-1pm and Wednesday May 27, 11am-1pm.
Explore a selection of rarely displayed props, costumes and accessories from the RSC Collection. Suitable for all ages. 

WORKSHOPS (ADVANCE BOOKING RECOMMENDED - CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT) AT THE CLORE LEARNING CENTRE.

Speaking Shakespeare – adults £3.50, children £2.50 - Tuesday 26 May, 11am-12 noon. Want to have a go at performing some of Shakespeare's speeches? Come along to this fun and lively session that will have you quoting Shakespeare like a professional. For ages eight and over.

Stage Fighting – adults £4, children £3 - Wednesday May 27 11am-12.30pm and again at 2pm-3.30pm. Learn how the action is created on stage with this special workshop with an RSC expert. Suitable for ages eight and over. 

The Story Garden – adults £3.50, children £2.50 - Tuesday May 26, 11am-12 noon The Tempest and Wednesday May 27, 11am-12 noon, Henry V.
Enjoy having a go at performing part of a Shakespeare play in these special sessions where a storyteller will lead the way. Suitable for four to eight year-olds.

Family Workshop: The Merchant of Venice – adults £5, children £3.50 - Saturday May 23, 10am-11.30am. Take part in a fun family workshop and work as an actor does, on your feet. No previous acting experience or knowledge of the play required as you will be introduced to the story on the day. Suitable for children aged eight years and over and parents or carers.



ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE. 


Singing Workshop – adults £3.50, children £2.50, Upper Circle Bar - Wednesday May 27, 2pm-3pm.
Come and sing your heart out with an RSC voice coach. No experience necessary. Suitable for ages eight and over.

Blood, Guts and Gore – £3.50 adults, £2.50 children, Upper Circle Bar - Friday May 29, 11am-12 noon. Join former RSC Head of Wigs and Make-up, Brenda Leedham, as she demonstrates the tricks of the trade and how bruises, cuts and scars are created. Suitable for all ages.

FREE EXHIBITION.

Sea-Markings: New work by Susan Stockwell, Paccar Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre - until Sunday September 6, 10am-10pm or Sundays 10am-5pm, free.


Artist Susan Stockwell has taken over the Royal Shakespeare Theatre foyers and gallery with a new exhibition inspired by the RSC’s Summer season of plays, Othello and The Merchant of Venice, and the world of 16th century Venice. The exhibition includes a spectacular installation of sails, a series of quilts and textiles pieces and a flotilla of boats made from paper currency from around the world.