Romeo and Juliet Workshop in the Open Air

Love and Suffering in
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

OPEN AIR WORKSHOP BY ILLYRIA (UK)
MODERATED BY JOANNA LUCAS (UK)

STET’s favourite open-air theatre company Illyria returns for its seventh workshop season to the beautiful grounds of Raadhuis de Paauw in Wassenaar for school groups.

The theme of this year’s workshop is Love and Suffering. Students will consider how the play tackles themes such as arranged (teenage) marriage, the destructive effects of hate, and how inherited hate has the capacity to destroy true love. During the workshop, the cast and crew of the company join in. First to illustrate key scenes from Romeo and Juliet, and then to participate in games and exercises. The event is dynamically moderated by Joanna Lucas, a professional British actor and educator.

In this truly interactive workshop students gain insight into one of Shakespeare’s famous tragedies, and even get a chance to hop on stage, if they like. Please read below for the programme plan and information on how to book, view pictures of previous workshops and see positive feedback from an enthusiastic teacher.

Information

COST	€20 per student (no VAT)
DATE	Friday 6 September 11:00-14:00
RUNNING TIME	3 hours (incl. lunch break)
VENUE	Grounds of the Municipality of Wassenaar (De Paauw, Raadhuislaan 22)
AGE RANGE	16+ years
PARTICIPANTS	Max. 100 students. Places sell out fast!
LANGUAGE	English. Illyria actors are from the UK
PREPARATION	It is advised that students familiarize themselves with the plot of Romeo and Juliet and have some knowledge of Shakespeare before the session.

Meet Illyria Theatre Company

Illyria was created in 1991, and ever since has delighted audiences the length and breadth of the UK, and in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France, the United States and Canada.

Illyria has also won 4 international “Best Performance” awards and attracted numerous “5-star” and “Critics’ Choice” reviews for the lively clarity of its approach to Shakespeare’s plays. Illyria has given more performances to more people across a wider area than any other open-air touring theatre company. Its presence dominates the sector and its standards set the bar high.

Illyria is proud that for 30 years its popularity has enabled it to operate on a fully professional basis.

This summer Illyria tours with The Adventures of Dr. Dolittle, The Gondoliers, The Hound of the Baskervilles and of Romeo and Juliet. We are proud to present their shows in the Netherlands together with Schovenhorst Estate.

Meet the moderator

Joanna is a British actress. She trained at Drama Studio London, graduating in 2013, and since then he has worked in television, radio and theatre. Her work as a performer spans from new writing and contemporary drama to Shakespeare, with plenty of singing and dancing along the way!

Ultimately, she believes in stories as one of the most valuable forms of communication. Connecting with stories has led her to work extensively with young people and adults as an English communication and acting coach, and workshop facilitator.

Her repertoire includes an extensive knowledge of Shakespeare’s works, which she has performed and used in courses at schools and in theatre groups. Recently she was seen in a school performance in an adaptation of Macbeth with The Reckless Shakespeare Company.

Joanna lives in the Netherlands and works regularly at her craft, when she is not tending to her budding family.

Authentic and engaging

Theatre company Illyria has a reputation for the clarity and authenticity of its productions of Shakespeare’s plays.

Illyria performs each play in the open air on an Elizabethan-inspired stage. They achieve the seemingly impossible by performing the plays UNCUT with five actors, the number they believe Shakespeare’s own company had when touring the provinces. Illyria performs the uncut Romeo and Juliet at the same location (grounds of Raadhuis De Paauw) as the workshop, on 5 and 6 September at 19:30.

Additionally, since we noted throughout the years that teenagers need a little more guidance for Shakespeare’s plays, we designed a workshop that helps them appreciate the experience even more. This workshop is perfectly suited to their age group. It is fun and engaging, inviting them to actively participate.

Outline of the programme

10:45 Arrival of all groups at the grounds of the municipality

11:00 Welcome, introduction and explanation of the theme

11:15 Short scene-based performances that highlight the theme

12:15 Lunchbreak (bring your own lunch)

13:00 Break out into small groups with the actors

13:45 Round-up and Q&A

14:00 Goodbyes

A teacher's review

“Our pupils loved being on stage … SPOT ON! Exactly what we want our pupils to experience.” P. de Koning, 2017, Den Haag

Key benefits to students

Language learning in a dynamic, stylistic and entertaining way
Learning about some tools that actors use to understand, and perform Shakespeare’s works
Empowering students to explore Shakespeare with confidence and affection
Historic/cultural understanding – learning about Shakespeare and his time
Getting a moment to shine on stage in a fun exercise
Mingling with other schools/students in an adventurous outdoor setting