School children take to the stage in Birmingham to perform for the launch Shakespeare Week 2025

School Children Take to the Stage in Birmingham to Perform Shakespeare-Inspired Performances to Launch Shakespeare Week 2025

On Monday 24 March, Birmingham played host to a series of special performances inspired by Shakespeare’s iconic plays to launch nationwide celebrations for Shakespeare Week 2025, the annual festival inspiring primary school children, teachers and home educators across the country.

Held at the Grade II listed Birmingham Old Rep Theatre, and hosted by children’s presenter Joanna Adeyinka-Burford, the audience had the opportunity to see school children from Wood End Primary School and Robin Hood Academy take to the stage for a special music, dance and design show.

The vibrant show took inspiration from Shakespeare’s remarkable female characters, as part of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s multi-year programme celebrating The Women Who Made Shakespeare.

‘’It has been brilliant coming together with our partners and the schools to launch this year’s Shakespeare Week celebrations. A big thank you to Autin Dance Theatre and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for prepping the children and building their confidence to perform on such an iconic stage to an audience of family, friends and partners.’’

Commented Sally Gray, Shakespeare Week Project Manager at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the organisers of the national event.

Through this once in a lifetime performance opportunity at one of Birmingham’s oldest and most iconic theatres, the pupils explored a range of emotions and feelings linked to Shakespeare’s characters through hands-on, creative outlets, bringing his wondrous words to life.

Facilitated by the SBT’s learning team, in the lead up to the event, the children received hands-on workshops from Autin Dance Theatre and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire who worked closely with the schools to prepare for the performance.

During the show, Year 4 pupils from Robin Hood Academy in Hall Green, performed a musical composition, Here Come The Queens! inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream, focussing on Titania’s feelings and emotions.

Year 3 pupils from the school also showcased their creative costume designs and creations in a catwalk style parade. From Viola to Titania, the vibrant costumes were inspired by Shakespeare’s female characters.

Year 5 and Year 3 pupils from Wood End Primary School based in Wolverhampton took to the stage with energetic dance performances focusing on the characters Ariel and Viola from the plays The Tempest and Twelfth Night.

The jam-packed event concluded with a performance of the new Shakespeare Week song, Let’s Play On! celebrating Shakespeare's female characters.

"Watching the pupils connect with Shakespeare’s female characters in creative ways has been wonderful. We hope that the pupils walk away feeling inspired by the life, works, and times of Shakespeare, and with new skills that they will carry with them throughout school, whether that be storytelling, performing, or even critical thinking.

‘’Throughout Shakespeare Week, we hope to reach and inspire even more children, teachers, and home educators around the nation through our range of free online and in-person activities."

Added Andy Reeves, Head of Learning Development at the Trust.

Shakespeare Week runs from Monday 24 to Sunday 30 March 2025. It is developed and delivered by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and supported by Arts Council England.

Each year thousands of children across the nation enjoy Shakespeare Week. The week also provides teachers, home educators and families with free online tools to take Shakespeare into their classrooms or homes, across every subject in the curriculum.

For more information, visit www.shakespeareweek.org.uk.