By Mrs Martin (Head of Year 5)
Year 5 enjoyed an unforgettable day at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Thursday 18th June as part of our current Unit of Inquiry, How We Express Ourselves.
Upon arrival, the girls were divided into two groups, each taking part in both a guided tour of the Globe and an interactive drama workshop. During the tour, the girls had the unique opportunity to watch a rehearsal excerpt from a brand-new production of Love's Labour's Lost. Seated high in the galleries, they were able to appreciate both the performance and the remarkable design of the theatre itself. The girls were completely captivated, observing how movement, music and Latin-inspired dance were used to communicate meaning, emotion and character.
From their elevated viewpoint, they could clearly see how performers use the entire stage space to engage audiences from every angle, bringing the story to life through physical expression as well as words. The tour also enabled the girls to explore the unique design of the Globe Theatre and consider how its layout influences performance. Standing in the very space where audiences have gathered for centuries helped them understand the challenges performers face when communicating with large crowds and how actors use voice, movement and audience interaction to ensure their message reaches every corner of the theatre.
Following the tour, each group participated in a practical workshop led by Globe practitioners. One group explored scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream, while the other worked with extracts from Macbeth.
The day perfectly supported our Lines of Inquiry into how performance conveys feelings and experiences, how cultural perspectives influence interpretation, and the roles and responsibilities involved in creating and sharing performance. More importantly, it gave the girls the opportunity to learn through doing, immersing themselves in history, drama and storytelling in one of the world's most iconic theatres.
It really was a valuable learning experience through performance, discussion and collaboration, the girls investigated how actors convey meaning, emotion and character to an audience. They enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to perform, experiment with dramatic techniques and experience Shakespeare's work as it was intended to be enjoyed; through live performance.
