selecteer een taal▼ Site Search PROUD TO BE AN FMAT ACADEMY Home COVID-19 Updates Our Academy Academy Life Academy News Admissions Contact Us Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?” March 29, 2019 8:18 am “No, sir. I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb, sir” This opening scene of Romeo and Juliet was used as a theatrical gambit, to introduce year 7 and 8 students to the ways an actor imparts the meaning and impact of the lines. To demonstrate this we had a leading actor from London’s world renowned Globe theatre, bringing his expertise to Smith’s Wood Academy as part of our initiative to show the living qualities of Shakespeare’s plays to our students. This particular event was a two hour long workshop in which students focused on an in-depth analysis of interactions between the characters, particularly the effects of slowing down or speeding up the speeches. They followed the trajectory of the major scenes and, for example, discussed how using a caesura could produce intimidation or an enjambment could add vigour and speed to dialogue. Throughout they were fully involved as participants and players, even as their eyes were opened to a much deeper appreciation of Shakespearian theatre. Perhaps many realised for the first time that these great plays are theirs to enjoy and very accessible; as entertaining and relevant today as they ever were. Unsurprisingly, acting did not come naturally to the students at first. Yet, before the workshop ended, stilted movements had been replaced by confident actions, mumbled speech by loud and clear vocals. Reluctant actors who began with heads down and hands firmly hidden in pockets became eloquent orators and, in a finale made up of student’s mini-plays, their performances brimmed with team spirit and burgeoning confidence. It was heartening to witness the way the students engaged with the whole experience. Although it stands in it’s own right, the workshop was organised at least partly with the aim of preparing our students for the ‘real thing’; a visit to The Globe organised by Mrs Watt. It certainly set the scene for that visit, with both of these events recognising that Shakespeare’s plays were intended to be seen and heard, not merely read. The value of this two hours could be measured by the enjoyment of the students, their engagement, the number of insights imparted by a world class actor, or simply by how Shakespeare’s genius was made so accessible. PREVIOUS New Generation Meets Holocaust Survivors NEXT Golden Snitch Categories In The Know (8) News (36) Updates (33) Archives Select Month November 2021 (1) September 2021 (1) July 2021 (3) May 2019 (2) April 2019 (1) March 2019 (3) February 2019 (5) December 2018 (1) November 2018 (10) October 2018 (1) September 2018 (4) August 2018 (1) July 2018 (4) June 2018 (2) May 2018 (4) April 2018 (3) March 2018 (8) February 2018 (3) January 2018 (3) December 2017 (4) October 2017 (2) August 2017 (1) July 2017 (1) 0121 788 4100 office@smithswood.fmat.co.uk Useful pages Leisure Centre Vacancies Subjects External links ParentPay Vacancies Smith’s Wood Academy Twitter MyEd Legal Sitemap Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Terms of Use Smith’s Wood Academy is a member of the Fairfax Multi Academy Trust, a successful network of schools who share the same values and aspirations. Proud to be an FMAT Academy © 2021 Smith's Wood Academy. All rights reserved Company Registered Number: 07661164 Site by Happy-Giraffe.com