Shakespeare: The Tempest (Age 9 to 12)

Shakespeare: The Tempest On a remote island, the exiled Duke Prospero prepares to perform his swansong, his great act of revenge, in one of Shakespeare’s final plays—a meditation on art, power and freedom. Prospero summons his magical gifts into a devastating sea storm which hurls a ship’s crew onto the island (among them his usurping brother). With supernatural islanders as unwilling agents of his scheme and the castaways spellbound, Prospero’s plot advances. Old scores must be settled; his daughter Miranda must find love. But as his vision unfolds, a different ending emerges: one of forgiveness, love, compassion. And with it, the chance to renounce his magic forever. "We are such stuff As dreams are made on: and our little life Is rounded with a sleep." These courses have been running since March 2022, so from September 2025 we're alternating between continuing to explore the complete canon and reprising favourites from three years ago so that new participants get to enjoy the most famous plays. These practical and playful sessions explore Shakespeare’s timeless works. Running the gamut of human experience from tragic to comic, you’ll get to perform speeches and scenes, explore stories and history, and discuss the profound questions posed by a writer who might just be both the greatest and most popular of all time. Sessions are taught by professional actor Charlie Sturgeon, 2018 MA Acting (Classical) graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, leading man of the Australian Shakespeare Company 2013-17 and of course host of our own improv and chatterbox courses.