Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare and the RSC - for dcs

[Hecouldshine]

Looking for recommendations please

I have a dd and ds (12 and 15) that are saying BORING to a quick trip to Stratford to see the RSC do All's Well That Ends Well Of course we are going for ME really as I love Shakespeare on stage, and think it's time they get it. They've only ever studied Shakespeare in English and not seen any live on stage (apart from ds being the Indian Prince in a Shakespeare 4 Kidz musical version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which I DON'T count ), so how can I sell Shakespeare to them in 24 hours in Stratford?

What should we see of the sights of Stratford, or do of the RSC's theatre activities?

(And btw pg, if you read this, I would love to know if your ds is in Alls Well?!)

[pg]

Hello! Yes, ds is in All's Well! He only has a minor role in this one though : Soldier/Interpreter (which probably translates as spear carrier )

I hope they enjoy it! When are you planning to go? Do say hi to him afterwards if you have time!

His fiancee is in Stratford too and she does some part time work at Shakespeare's birthplace - I've never been, but it might be of interest.

If you want something a bit less Shakespeare then the river could be an attraction. How about taking a boat out on it? If the weather is good it's a glorious place to be. They have a costume exhibition on at the moment at the theatre (which I love - but your dc might say BORING! even more loudly ).

Depending on when you are going there is this:
http://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/exhibiti ... ly-events/
or this:
http://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/exhibiti ... pover.aspx
and this might give you some ideas?
http://www.rsc.org.uk/visit-us/families.aspx


I'm there on Thursday - if you're going later than that I can ask ds and his fiancee for some ideas. Mind you, ds has barely had time to draw breath since he got there, he certainly hasn't done any sightseeing - but they might have some useful thoughts.

I'll also be there for the public understudy run - which is August 7th.

[Welsh Mum]

I would just say to make sure your CDs know the play before they go, this will mean they enjoy it more. I took mine to Italian and French opera from the age of 7 - they always knew the story and enjoyed the performance.

[Flosmom]

We're not far from Stratford so we pop over there quite often. If your teens are into retail, there's a reasonable selection of shops to browse around. Quite a few independent shops, curiosities, boutiques, etc and the usual array of high street 'names'.

Of course there's all things Shakespeare and the RSC does a lot of events. Even if they're not into Shakespeare they might wants to climb the tower on the new theatre.

The tourist information centre is very helpful too.

If your DCs have particular 'likes', let me know and I'll have a think about what might interest them

Enjoy your visit!

Deb x

[Hecouldshine]

Thanks pg, Welsh Mum and Flosmum

Pg we're going12th to 14th August, so please do get tips from your ds and his fiance! I want to take them to some of the Shakespeare sites/sights, such as Shakespeare's birthplace as I can't remember them from when my parents dragged me round Stratford many decades ago. Glad we will see your ds, even if it is only as "spear carrier" this time. Think we will try a theatre tour. Looking at your links it seems there is a sheet we can collect at the theatre with ideas etc.

As I was reading your post with the boating suggestion last night, dd, ds and dh were watching a recording of Top Gear and we saw the team heading through Stratford on a home made hovercraft - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... Episode_4/
see here from 45 minutes. They knock a man out of his rowing boat! But it does look idyllic and ds and dd were suddenly much more interested in Stratford

Flosmum the trip up the tower looks ideal, thanks Can't face shops as dd is a nightmare (fussy shopper) in them, but tips on a good cafe/place to eat would be great, and any tips as to the touristy things that would suit teenagers very welcome.

Welshmum, what a perfect suggestion! How embarrassing that I didn't even think of that. Will hunt down my complete Shakespeare volume. Dd has just picked up Bill Bryson's Shakespeare book, amazingly, and is telling me, as I write, that she was looking at a children's synopsis of Shakespeare plays in Waterstone's yesterday, so maybe there is some hope for her after all! Can't believe ds, who is doing drama GCSE, is not covering Shakespeare at all in it "We're not doing that module Mum!" And he says that with glee/relief in his voice, so I still need to work on him!

Thanks all

[Hecouldshine]

Ooh just spotted - Happy Birthday Flosmum/Deb

[riverdancefan]

Thanks pg, Welsh Mum and Flosmum

Pg we're going12th to 14th August, so please do get tips from your ds and his fiance! I want to take them to some of the Shakespeare sites/sights, such as Shakespeare's birthplace as I can't remember them from when my parents dragged me round Stratford many decades ago. Glad we will see your ds, even if it is only as "spear carrier" this time. Think we will try a theatre tour. Looking at your links it seems there is a sheet we can collect at the theatre with ideas etc.

As I was reading your post with the boating suggestion last night, dd, ds and dh were watching a recording of Top Gear and we saw the team heading through Stratford on a home made hovercraft - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... Episode_4/
see here from 45 minutes. They knock a man out of his rowing boat! But it does look idyllic and ds and dd were suddenly much more interested in Stratford

Flosmum the trip up the tower looks ideal, thanks Can't face shops as dd is a nightmare (fussy shopper) in them, but tips on a good cafe/place to eat would be great, and any tips as to the touristy things that would suit teenagers very welcome.

Welshmum, what a perfect suggestion! How embarrassing that I didn't even think of that. Will hunt down my complete Shakespeare volume. Dd has just picked up Bill Bryson's Shakespeare book, amazingly, and is telling me, as I write, that she was looking at a children's synopsis of Shakespeare plays in Waterstone's yesterday, so maybe there is some hope for her after all! Can't believe ds, who is doing drama GCSE, is not covering Shakespeare at all in it "We're not doing that module Mum!" And he says that with glee/relief in his voice, so I still need to work on him!

Thanks all

ah Bill Bryson - the man is a genius!!

[riverdancefan]

DS was recently introduced properly to Shakespeare (he has the kids versions of the stories in book form).
We went to watch "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with DQ's Mum's DD performing with her all-girl school, she played Lysander.
We thoroughly enjoyed it ! - and it has given him a taste to see more, we will be booking and looking..


I will never forget the thrill of watching Daniel Day-Lewis playing Hamlet in the 1980's - it just blew me away!. Luckily he saw the performance through as the next day was when he did a runner

[DQsMum]

DS was recently introduced properly to Shakespeare (he has the kids versions of the stories in book form).
We went to watch "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with DQ's Mum's DD performing with her all-girl school, she played Lysander.
We thoroughly enjoyed it ! - and it has given him a taste to see more, we will be booking and looking..


I will never forget the thrill of watching Daniel Day-Lewis playing Hamlet in the 1980's - it just blew me away!. Luckily he saw the performance through as the next day was when he did a runner

Aahh RDF thanks for the plug - you are such an amazing support team to come whatever she is up to ... Need to lay on some opera next?? Lol.

Agree, whatever you go to see (Will S, Opera, modern) the more they know about the genre/ plot/ musi the more they get from it , they key is to NOT make it like a school trip!!

Enjoy.

[2dancersmum]

Agree with Flosmum about river trips. The other side of the river to the theatre there is (or certainly used to be) a 'play' park. Your DCs are a little old for the sandplay and pool but the play equipment is divided into age zones that I believe go up to older teens. The butterfly farm is also that side of the river. Both sides of the river there is a lot of green land which in summer are full of stuff going on. If the chain ferry is still working you can cross the river on that instead of the bridge, although the lock at the bridge might be of interest. You can get an all inclusive ticket for the Shakespeare properties - there are about 5 I believe including Anne Hathaways Cottage and farm. Shops that are a bit different include the Christmas Shop and one all about wizards/magic (has a small museum or attraction of some sort upstairs) These are both in the pedestrian street (Henley Street) - if you head uphill up the main road from the river you reach them. This area also has no ends of little cafes and coffee shops and is where Shakespeares Birthplace Trust is. For restaurants a better bet is Sheep Street. This is the street that goes away from the river, practically from in front of the theatre. There are several restaurants on Sheep Street and when you reach HSBC, if you turn left there are a few more including Edward Moons. Had a delicious meal there but it was some years ago. Further afield is a museum called Stratford Armouries - no personal experience but has been recommended to us in the past. Stratford is a lovely place, albeit very touristy and it is very easy to spend hours there doing not very much at all. Enjoy.

[Flosmom]

You definitely won't starve in Stratford!

There's everything from McDonalds and a chippy (visible from the theatre and the river) to the usual range of Stradas and Cafe Rouges and Pizza Expresses to pubs and restaurants serving traditional Englishe Fayre for the tourists. Just amble around til you spot something that takes your fancy.

My girls always enjoyed the butterflies when they were little - but I have a feeling that the gift shop was as much of a draw as the butterflies

There are lots of gift shops - be prepared to stick to a budget or part with quite a lot of money

Enjoy!

Deb x

[pg]

I spoke to ds and his fiancee and they recommended much the same as 2dancersmum! I hope they (and you) have fun. It will probably be pretty crowded - it as packed yesterday and on Thursday.

I enjoyed the show and ds had more to do than I expected - he had led me to believe he had about 2 lines, but he has a bit more than that! He is the skinniest soldier (they all look extraordinarily fit) - he has an eye patch...

[Hecouldshine]

ah Bill Bryson - the man is a genius!!

He is so readable - have taken it off dd to reread myself now

[
Agree, whatever you go to see (Will S, Opera, modern) the more they know about the genre/ plot/ musi the more they get from it , they key is to NOT make it like a school trip!!

Enjoy.

Thanks DQsMum I'm desperately trying to avoid the school trip feel but dd and ds are convinced that's what it will be like Have bribed them with a day at Warwick Castle as well ( Thanks to Nectar points double exchange at Sainsbury's - on at the moment )

Agree with Flosmum about river trips. The other side of the river to the theatre there is (or certainly used to be) a 'play' park. Your DCs are a little old for the sandplay and pool but the play equipment is divided into age zones that I believe go up to older teens. The butterfly farm is also that side of the river. Both sides of the river there is a lot of green land which in summer are full of stuff going on. If the chain ferry is still working you can cross the river on that instead of the bridge, although the lock at the bridge might be of interest. You can get an all inclusive ticket for the Shakespeare properties - there are about 5 I believe including Anne Hathaways Cottage and farm. Shops that are a bit different include the Christmas Shop and one all about wizards/magic (has a small museum or attraction of some sort upstairs) These are both in the pedestrian street (Henley Street) - if you head uphill up the main road from the river you reach them. This area also has no ends of little cafes and coffee shops and is where Shakespeares Birthplace Trust is. For restaurants a better bet is Sheep Street. This is the street that goes away from the river, practically from in front of the theatre. There are several restaurants on Sheep Street and when you reach HSBC, if you turn left there are a few more including Edward Moons. Had a delicious meal there but it was some years ago. Further afield is a museum called Stratford Armouries - no personal experience but has been recommended to us in the past. Stratford is a lovely place, albeit very touristy and it is very easy to spend hours there doing not very much at all. Enjoy.

2dancersmum you are wonderful So much useful info there I can also now picture how everything is set out, whereas I couldn't work any of it out from googlemap. Thank you so much

Thanks Flosmum, I feel quite tempted by the butterflies - we don't get many round here and I miss them. Thanks for the info about the eating places

Thanks pg, I am looking forward to spotting the skinny soldier with the eye patch now, and it will give dd and ds something to concentrate on through the play I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Thanks for the warning as to how busy it is

[Flosmom]

This just arrived in my inbox...

http://tracking.wordfly.com/view/?sid=M ... 1f1345a486

Hope it's helpful

Deb x

[Hecouldshine]

Getting excited about our trip now. Thanks for that link Flosmum, we've downloaded the kids go free voucher for the tower visit