Primary schools tackle Shakespeare plays at Norden Farm

Characters from some of Shakespeare's greatest plays have been brought to life with a twist by primary school children this week.

Three schools in Maidenhead were the first to take part in the project which began yesterday at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, and each had a completely different approach to its tale.

Ellington Primary School put on a fairly traditional version of Macbeth, successfully tackling quite a lot of the playwright's original language.

Wessex Primary School chose to stage its version of A Midsummer Night's Dream as a courtroom debate, while White Waltham CE Primary School set Hamlet in 1920s Chicago.

The project, which takes place annually, is organised by Dave Farey from Troublemaker Theatre Company.

He believes it is important for youngsters to experience Shakespeare rather than simply read the plays from a book.

"You have to hear it, you have to see it in front of you, or better than that you have to be involved with it," he said.

Each school receives a visit from Dave prior to the project then works on its play ahead of its visit to the centre in Altwood Road.

Other schools due to be involved in the project, which runs every day until Friday, include Oldfield Primary School and Woodlands Park Primary School.