SGCN Primarily Playing with Shakespeare: Macbeth
Witches, Apparitions and Kings
A child’s dream! Cauldrons bubbling, ghosts coming and going, power struggles between men vying to become king. SGCNZ Primarily Playing with Shakespeare is delivering up Macbeth this year.
Primary-aged children from the greater Wellington Region will perform an hour-long version of ‘The Scottish play’, with students from 6 schools – Kena Kena Primary School, Clifton Terrace Model School, Crofton Downs Primary School, Kelburn Normal School, Otari and Ridgway Schools, and a homeschool cluster, WHEN (Wellington Home Education Network).
Rehearsed by their own drama teachers, they have SGCNZ appointed Co-Director/Mentor, Alexander Sparrow, visit them twice to guide and mentor them, oversee their progress and help with any issues. An SGCNZ Alumnus himself, Alexander is well-versed at directing Shakespeare, often directing his company partner, Katie Boyle, in 1- and 2-person productions of many of Shakespeare’s plays.
Written in 1606, Macbeth is one of the best-known of Shakespeare’s tragedies, telling the story of the power-hungry king, who is eventually overthrown after a tussle for leadership.
Narrator, an Alumna of SGCNZ PPWS and a member of SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company 2022, Jacynta Scurfield, will link the scenes, fill the gaps and complete the storyline.
The performance on 10 November from 12.30 -1.30pm will be held in the Concourse in the Sky Stadium. Public bookings are available through Eventfinda.
“It is a valuable opportunity for the young mokopuna to enjoy close contact with Shakespeare, increasing their literary and literacy skills, while adding their individual ‘takes’ on each role,” said SGCNZ CEO, Dawn Sanders, “At the same time, the children are mentored to interpret their character and understand the relationships with the others.”
Among SGCNZ’s objectives are increasing their appreciation of Whanau – the wider sense of family with their cast, Tautoko - inclusions and unifying people from diverse backgrounds, Pūkenga - the development of life skills, and Mahi hou – inspiring their creativity and innovation. Building their self-confidence and esteem from this early stage will stand them in good stead for their lives and careers ahead. Seeing is believing.
Public Performance:
Venue: Concourse, Sky Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Wellington
Date & Time: Thursday 10 November 12.30-1.30pm
Bookings: Eventfinda