PERFORMERS, students and academics came together for the second Shakespeare Festival.
Solihull School celebrated the works and life of William Shakespeare alongside pupils from 20 schools nationwide.
The festival brought together speakers from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, alongside the Shakespeare Institute.
Highlights included an address from Professor Michael Dobson, director of the Shakespeare Institute, exploring the modern relevance of Shakespearean tragedy, including performances of Hamlet in contemporary Ukraine.
The programme also featured talks by scholars including Dr Sophie Duncan of Magdalen College, Oxford, Professor Simon Palfrey of Brasenose College, Oxford, Dr Sophie Read of Christ’s College, Cambridge, Professor Tiffany Stern of the Shakespeare Institute and Professor Emma Smith of Hertford College, Oxford.
Theatre Director and Old Silhillian, Richard Digby Day, hosted a drama workshop focussed on Shakespeare speeches for Solihull Performing Arts students.
Dr Hart, Solihull School’s head of English, said: “The Shakespeare Festival offers a wonderful opportunity for A-Level students to enrich their critical appreciation of the bard and his stagecraft through attending a number of fascinating talks by some of the world’s most eminent Shakespearean scholars.”
The festival concluded with an evening performance of Much Ado About Nothing, introduced by Richard Digby Day and performed by the Oxford’s Jesus College Shakespeare Project in the school chapel.
The school also welcomed the support of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, who served as the festival’s booksellers.
