The Orange Tree Theatre has been providing a range of valuable education projects in Richmond and the local boroughs for over 25 years. Like all Orange Tree productions, the schools tours are performed in the round.

Discover Shakespeare

‘Discover Shakespeare’ for Year 7 pupils was launched in 1991 as the result of a request from the Richmond Teachers Advisory Service for a workshop to introduce Shakespeare to pupils who have had little or no experience of Shakespeare’s work. The project involves a cast of four touring a 90-minute workshop production of a Shakespeare play. The sessions provide students with a complete introduction to the play, focusing on character, story and language, and encouraging pupil participation – including taking on some key roles in the action. Recent productions have included A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice and King Lear.

SATS Shakespeare Tour

Our SATS Shakespeare tour began in 1982 and is aimed at students studying for their Key Stage 3 exams. The workshops specifically concentrate on the scenes that pupils have been studying. Each session lasts 90-minutes and actively encourages pupils to participate with ideas, to develop their communication skills and to build confidence with Shakespearian language. The pupils get the opportunity to act and direct scenes, to learn about character portrayal and to examine possibilities for staging each scene. The show’s director also travels to all the schools and as a result of this, and the pupils’ ideas, each workshop is totally unique.

Primary Shakespeare

‘Primary Shakespeare’ has been an important part of the Orange Tree’s Community and Education work for over 15 years. During the summer term, four actors visit schools to give a two-hour storytelling workshop on a Shakespeare play. Through role-play, improvisation and games, the play’s themes are explored in an accessible and entertaining way. The pupils then come to the Orange Tree Theatre to see an abridged performance of the play by the four actors. Recent productions have included Twelfth Night, The Tempest and Henry IV.

Residency

The Orange Tree regularly holds Residency weeks in the most under-privileged schools in the local boroughs. Two actors visit the schools to hold a workshop on a chosen Shakespeare play. At the end of the week, the schools come together to perform the play. The project aims to build confidence and team member skills, allowing the pupils to work in partnership and participate in creating a piece of theatre, as well as being introduced to Shakespeare in an accessible way.