LET'S CHILL OUT!

On the 7TH of March 2011 1st of ESO from Vilatzara Secondary school will go to Cabrils to view Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet play.

THE POCKET OXFORD THEATRE COMPANY

Due to The Pocket Oxford Theatre Company's interactive style and use of audience participation, certain details
contained in this show will change over the course of the performance. The characters and plot will remain unaffected.


SHAKESPEARE (1564-1616)

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England in 1564. His parents were quite rich and he attended a grammar school where he studied Greek and Latin. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582. Shakespeare then moved to London to become a playwright and actor with the successful theatre company The Lord Chamberlain's Men. The company would later change its name to The King's Men in 1603. Shakespeare remained with the company until he retired in 1610.
Shakespeare's earliest plays date from 1590 and by 1597 he was sufficiently rich to buy the second largest house in Stratford. The following year he became a partner in the new Globe Theatre, London. He wrote 37 plays in total and 154 sonnets (lyrical poems of 14 lines). His plays are catagorised into three genres; comedy, tragedy and history plays. The comedy, 'The Taming Of The Shrew', was one of Shakespeare's earliest plays (written in 1590), Romeo and Juliet is believed to have been written between 1591 and 1595, with his last play ('The Tempest') being written in 1611, after which he retired to Stratford, where he died in 1616, aged 52.
Shakespeare was alive during the late Renaissance, which in England is referred to as the Elizabethan Era; as Queen Elizabeth I was Britains first female monarch. Shakespeare is still regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest playwright, although he is often referred to as 'the bard', which simply means the poet.

The house in which Shakespeare was born,
Stratford-Upon-Avon.


WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE & ANNE HATHAWAY

Anne Hathaway grew up in Shottery, a small village just to the west of Stratford-upon-Avon. Her father, Richard, was a wealthy farmer and the house in which she grew up still exists as a major tourist attraction . After the death of her parents, Anne married Shakespeare in November 1582 when she was 26 years old; Shakespeare was only eighteen. It was common at this time for women, such as Anne, whose parents had died, to stay at home to care for their younger brothers and sisters and marry in their late twenties, often to younger eligible men. However, because Anne was pregnant with their first child Susanna when they got married, some people believe they had a rushed "shotgun wedding" to save embarrassment.The couple later had twins named Hamnet and Judith in 1585. It has often been inferred that Shakespeare came to dislike his wife, but there is no existing documentation or correspondence to support this (although in his will he only left her his "second best bed"!). For most of their married life, Shakespeare lived in London writing and performing his plays, while Anne remained in Stratford. However he returned to Stratford for a period every year and when he retired from the theatre in 1613, he chose to live in Stratford with Anne rather than London. Anne Hathaway died in 1623 at the age of 67, seven years after the death of her husband.

THEATRES 
Before the first theatres were built in England, actors travelled around the country in groups known as 'players'. They travelled and performed in wagons and carried portable stages which the audience would stand around to watch their simple productions, usually based on religious stories. The first purpose-built theatre was erected in 1576 by James Burbage, and simply called 'The Theatre'. Due to its popularity, by 1600 there were a number of playhouses in London. 'The Theatre' was pulled down in 1598 and was rebuilt in a new location and renamed 'The Globe'. This became the theatre where Shakespeare would perform and stage his plays.
The Globe was a three-story open air building which could hold up to 3,000 people, thus making theatre in Shakespeare's day as popular by todays standards as a football match or pop concert. Spectators (nicknamed 'groundlings') could pay one penny to stand and watch the play or pay two-pence to sit in one of the many galleries. The very rich often paid for a seat on the stage itself.
At this time, in the theatre there was little or no scenery; the plays were always performed in daylight (as there was no lighting); and there were only basic costumes and props.
Regarding the theatre, women were not allowed to act on the stage as it was considered improper and therefore young boys played all the female roles. Women did not appear on the stage until the latter half of the 17th century.
Why the Puritans were against the Globe Theatre

The Globe theatre and its plays were a new idea. The Globe theatre attracted huge crowds - the theatres were also used for bear-baiting and gambling. The crowds attracted a broad cross section of society as well as thieves, gamblers, pickpockets, beggars, prostitutes and all kinds of criminals.
The Puritans were an extreme group of Protestants who adhered to strict religious principles and opposed all sensual pleasures. Many Puritans thought that theatres were evil and wanted them all closed. Respectable citizens were worried about the rise in crime, fighting and drinking...not to mention the danger of so many people in one space and the spread of the Bubonic Plague.
In 1642, under the force of the Puritans, the English Parliament closed the theatres. All actors were to be arrested and whipped, and anyone caught watching a play would be fined 5 shillings. The Globe Theatre was pulled down.
In 1660 the theatres were reopened, but the Globe theatre would not be rebuilt for another 350 years, not until 1997!
The role of women in the 16th century
Women had few rights in the Elizabethan era. Everyone was brought up to believe that women were inferior to men and that they were the weaker sex, easily led astray and needed protecting, (hard for us to accept these days!).
There were even doubts that a Queen could rule by herself (as it was almost unheard of) and people thought that Elizabeth I should have a husband to lead her. A woman's duty was to obey first her father, then her husband, and her role was seen to be to give birth to sons.
All marriages at this time were arranged marriages and Elizabethan women were expected to bring a dowry (money, goods, and property) to the marriage.


PREVIEW ACTIVITIES 

EXERCISE; FILL IN THE BLANKS

Fill in the blanks with the following words:


William / Shakespeare / The Globe / Juliet / Puritans / The Theatre / Anne
Capulets / Stratford-upon-Avon / 1591-95 / Players / 2 pence / young boys / 1616


1/ ____________ Shakespeare was married to _______ Hathaway.
2/ They lived in a place called _______________.
3/ One of Shakespeare's tragedies was called 'Romeo and _________'.
4/ Before theatres were built, actors travelled around the country in a wagon and were called _____________.
5/ The first theatre built in England was called _________________.
6/ 'Romeo and Juliet' was written between _____________.
7/ In the Elizabethan era women were not allowed to perform on the stage so the female roles were played by ______________.
8/ It cost ________ to sit in the gallery at the theatres.
9/ The theatre that Shakespeare worked at, and part owned, was called ________________.
10/ William _______________ died in _________.
11/ In 'Romeo and Juliet' there are two feuding families called the Montagues and the ___________.
12/ All the theatres were closed down in 1642 due to pressure from The ____________.


EXERCISE; TRUE or FALSE ??


1. Not many people went to the theatre.
2. Theatres only showed plays.
3. The Puritans were worried that theatres were a bad influence.
4. The Bubonic Plague was a problem.
5. Puritans thought theatres were educational.
6. After 1642, actors were whipped if they were caught.
7. The Globe theatre was demolished.
8. You cannot visit the Globe Theatre today. 


'ROMEO AND JULIET' by William
Shakespeare - A SYNOPSIS

 
A boy and a girl, from families who hate each other bitterly, fall in love but everything goes wrong for them and they kill themselves rather than be parted. Most of the play takes place in 'fair Verona' , an attractive little city in the north of Italy. The action moves quickly from the streets to the hall of the Capulet's house, then to the orchard
below Juliet's balcony, to Friar Lawrences' lonely cell and finally to the vault where the Capulets and the Montagues view their dead children. The play starts on a Sunday morning in the middle of July; less than five days later - just before dawn on the following Thursday - it is all over.
Act 1
A fight between servants of two of the most important families, the Montagues and the Capulets is broken up by the Prince. Romeo tells Benvolio that he is in love with Rosaline. Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she is to marry Paris. Lord Capulet starts to prepare for the celebrations.
A servant of Lord Capulet asks Romeo to read the invitation list.
Romeo decides to goto the ball to see Rosaline.
At the ball Romeo meets and falls in love with Juliet, only afterwards do they discover that their families are sworn enemies.
Tybalt recognises Romeo but is prevented from doing anything by Lord Capulet, who does not want any trouble.
Act 2
Benvolio and Mercutio look for Romeo. Juliet tells Romeo that she loves him, and they exchange vows. Romeo goes to see Friar Lawrence, who agrees to marry them as it may help and end their families feud.
Meanwhile Tybalt makes it known that he wishes to challenge Romeo to a duel.
Romeo tells the Nurse of his plan to marry Juliet. Juliet blushes when she hears of this news.
Romeo and Juliet meet at the Friar's cell and they are married in secret.
Act 3
The next day, Mercutio picks a fight with Tybalt. Romeo turns up and tries to intervene.
Tybalt kills Mercutio. This makes Romeo angry and he then kills Tybalt.
Romeo is now a murderer and is banished from Verona.
Act 4
Paris goes to Friar Lawrence's cell. Paris announces that he is to marry Juliet on Thursday.
Juliet says that she will stab herself rather than marry Paris.
The Friar gives her a bottle of potion, that when she drinks it, will make her appear dead for 48 hours.
The Friar's plan is to write to Romeo so that he will be there when she wakes up. Juliet agrees to marry Paris to please her father, who then brings the wedding day forward to Wednesday.
Juliet takes the potion and her family mourn her death.
Act 5
Balthasar arrives in Mantua with news of Juliet's death. Romeo goes to an apothecary to get some poison.
Friar Lawrence learns that his messanger did not get to Mantua to give Romeo his message because of the Plague.
Paris is at Juliet's tomb when Romeo arrives. They fight and Romeo kills Paris. Romeo sees
Juliet and thinks that she is dead so he poisons himself. Friar Lawrence arrives too late to save Romeo.
Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead and kills herself with his dagger.
The Montagues and Capulets agree to end their feud and decide to put a statue of pure gold in the town square.

 
'ROMEO AND JULIET' by The Pocket Oxford Theatre Company

 
The Globe theatre is full as the audience wait for a new play written by Shakespeare. The play is about to begin when suddenly the Puritans enter and close the theatre.
William Shakespeare is very sad and angry because the theatre has been closed and he is ready to perform his new play, a tragedy called 'Romeo and Juliet'.
Shakespeare receives a phone call from Queen Elizabeth I demanding that he performs his new play for her at her palace, today!!
Shakespeare does not know what to do, because all the actors have been locked up in jail by the Puritans. However his servant, Mrs. P, suggests they perform the play themselves. But even if they do play the parts of Romeo and Juliet, who will
play the other parts?
They will need Romeo's parents Lord and Lady Montague, and Juliet's parents Lord and Lady Capulet; not to mention Juliet's cousin Tybalt and Romeo's best friend Mercutio. What on earth will William Shakespeare and Mrs. P do?
Will they find any actors?
Will they be able to perform the play today?
Will there be a happy ending?
In order to keep an element of surprise our story is incomplete. We suggest that students are read the synopsis above to give them a general idea of the plot.
Related Films;
Shakespeare: The Animated Tales, Romeo and Juliet (1992)
Shakespeare In Love (Gwyneth Paltrow, Judi Dench, 1998)
Romeo and Juliet (Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, Director - Baz Luhrmann, 1996)

 
POST SHOW WORKSHEET

QUESTIONS:
1/ Choose 3 words to describe the characters of Romeo and Juliet.
2/ Choose 3 words to describe the relationship between Montagues and the Capulets.
3/ What are the main themes of 'Romeo and Juliet'?
4/ What are the tragic elements in Romeo and Juliet?
5/ Do you think that Romeo and Juliet's feelings for one another is true love or infatuation?
SUGGESTED POST SHOW DEBATES:
“Why is Shakespeare still relevant more than 400 years later?”
“Why is Shakespeare called the greatest writer of the English language?”
“How does Shakespeare reveal his deep understanding about human nature within a given play?”
"How have womens rights developed in the last 400 years?"
"Many wonder why 'Romeo and Juliet' must end with
the title characters’ deaths. There are actually,
several reasons why Romeo and Juliet must die,
some integral to the plot, and others serving the
nature of Elizabethan drama. What do you think the
reasons are?"
"Discuss what other alternative finales Shakespeare
could have written for 'Romeo and Juliet'?"
"Considering Romeo and Juliet's ages, how would a
modern newspaper react to this tale if it were true?"
GAMES WORD SEARCH;
We suggest that the students complete the following
word-searches whilst discussing the meaning of
each term for a fuller understanding.
1/ Find the following theatre words:

 
Plot  Casting  Actor  Play  Acts  Theatre  Drama  Stage Globe  Costume  Scene  Set  Part



GAME - 'In The Meaning Of The Word';
For this game one student (A) must leave the classroom for a couple of minutes. Once the student (A) has left the room, the class or teacher must decide on an adverb . The student (A) then returns to the room and tries to guess what the adverb is by asking other students (B) to do something 'in the meaning of the word'. For example, "Please can you open the door in the meaning of the word" or "Please can you clean the blackboard in the meaning of the word" etc. The student (B) then has to complete the action in the manner of the adverb. This continues until student (A) has discovered the correct adverb. This game is intended to develop the student's vocabulary, to explore some of the emotional content of the production and to encourage interaction and drama skills.....but also it's alot of fun!!
Suggested adverbs - lovingly, crazily, wildly, tiredly, passionately, hungrily, lazily, mysteriously, clumsily, forcefully, dramatically, romantically, impatiently, spookily, carefully, fiercely, thoughtfully etc.

 
DRAWING AND ACTING;
Put the students into groups. Have the students draw, or use collage, to depict their favorite scenes of Romeo and Juliet, and write a description of the scene. Each group should then write a section of dialogue for the scene they are illustrating.
Finally, ask each group to present their drawing and act out the scene in front of the class.

 
CREATE A COMMERCIAL;
Ask groups of students to create and perform an Elizabethan commercial in the style of Romeo and Juliet. For example, develop a commercial for a magic potion that makes everybody think you are dead - until you wake up - complete with a testimonial from Lady Macbeth.
AFTER THE PLAY:
The Pocket Oxford Theatre company hope that the students and teachers have enjoyed the show. We would appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Any contributions or comments students or teachers would like to make about the production may now be made through our new Facebook page when you befriend us at Pocket Oxford. Please stay in touch!


 
Pocket Oxford are a Professional theatre in Education company that tour throughout Spain. Our current touring productions include 'Romeo and Juliet' , 'The Taming of The Shrew' ('Taming Shakespeare') and 'Macbeth'. We develop a new production based on a Shakespeare play each academic year, which can be made appropriate for students of all ages. We look forward to visiting and entertaining you again in the future. Please contact us at the address below.
Contact :
The Pocket Oxford Theatre Company
Info@factoriacultural.com
Tel - 971765622