RSC LPN

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Learning and Performance Network (LPN) is a programme which partners the RSC with regional theatre companies and schools across England. The schools and theatres involved in the LPN are changing the engagement young people have with Shakespeare, using more active and exploratory methods. The RSC have found this approach to be more inspirational and exciting for children and can improve behaviour, grades and increase confidence.

The LPN is a three-year programme, approaching its third and final year. For the second year festival 2015/2016, the focus was A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Schools around the country each took part in an adaptation of the play, The Dream, which was performed at a local partner theatre in March 2016. In Blackpool, 9 schools took part. These schools were, Marton Primary Academy, Park Community Academy, St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School, Montgomery High School, Thames Primary Academy, St Mary’s Catholic College, Mereside Primary School and Anchorsholme Academy. The Dream took place at the Grand Theatre on 8th March 2016 with the support from the theatre’s Creative Learning team. The Dream will be performed again at the RSC in Stratford Upon Avon this July, a performance involving pupils from each cluster. The preparation for next year’s festival will begin this Autumn and work will begin towards performances of Julius Caesar.

 

Benefits of the Learning and Performance Network include the opportunity for schools and theatres to be involved in unique learning and performance opportunities, the support of theatre professionals locally and nationally and increases in wellbeing for young people.

For more information on the RSC LPN, contact Jo Cleasby at joc@blackpoolgrand.co.uk