THE POCKET OXFORD THEATRE COMPANY

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Romeo and Juliet PRIMARIA WORKPACK

Teachers' note: This didactic material consists of pre-show activities designed to help teachers prepare the students for the experience of watching a piece of theatre in a foreign language. 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 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. Shakespeare remained with the company until he retired in 1610. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays in total and 154 sonnets (lyrical poems of 14 lines). His plays are categorised into three genres; comedy, tragedy and history plays. The tragedy, 'Romeo and Juliet' was one of Shakespeare's earliest plays (written between 1591-95), Romeo and Juliet is a play about two young lovers, who come from two feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets.Stratford, Shakespeare was alive during the Elizabethan Era; as Queen Elizabeth I was Britain’s first female queen, and a supporter of the theatre. Shakespeare died in 1616, aged 52. He is still widely 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 Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Anne married Shakespeare in November 1582 when she was 26 years old; Shakespeare was only eighteen. They had three children and for most of their married life, Shakespeare lived in London writing and performing his plays, while she 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.

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.

Exterior of The Globe Theatre, London

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. Women were not allowed to act in the plays, and instead young boys played all the female roles. In 1642, all the theatres in England were closed by the English Parliament, due to pressure from the Puritans.

Interior of The Globe Theatre, London

1642, under the force of the Puritans, the English Parliament closed the theatres. All

1660 the theatres were reopened, but the Globe theatre would not be rebuilt for

Why the Puritans were against the Globe Theatre? The Globe theatre and its plays were a new idea. The Globe theatre attracted huge crowds - upto 3000 people. The theatres were also used for bear-baiting and gambling. The theatre attracted all types of people, including criminals. Many Puritans, strict religious people, thought that theatres were evil and wanted them all closed. Inactors were to arrested and whipped, and anyone caught watching a play would be fined 5 shillings. The Globe Theatre was pulled down. Inanother 350 years, not until 1997!

EXERCISE; FILL THE BLANKS

ill in the blanks with the following words:

Puritans / The Theatre / Anne

boys

/ ____________ Shakespeare was married to _______ Hathaway.

eo and _________'.

on and were

land was called _________________.

rm on the stage so the

atres.

d part owned, was called

_______ died in _________.

lies called the Montagues and the

s were closed down in 1642 due to pressure from The

F

illiam / Shakespeare / The Globe / Juliet / W

apulets / Stratford-upon-Avon / 1591-95 / Players / 2 pence / young C/ 1616 1 / They lived in a place called _______________. 2

/ One of Shakespeare's tragedies was called 'Rom3

/ Before theatres were built, actors travelled around the country in a wag4

called _____________. / The first theatre built in Eng5

/ 'Romeo and Juliet' was written between _____________. 6

/ In the Elizabethan era women were not allowed to perfo7

female roles were played by ______________. / It cost ________ to sit in the gallery at the the8

/ The theatre that Shakespeare worked at, an9

________________. 0/ William ________1

1/ In 'Romeo and Juliet' there are two feuding fami1

___________. 2/ All the theatre1

____________.

EXERCISE; TRUE or FALSE ??

Not many people went to the theatre.

t theatres were a bad influence.

caught.

day.

olutions; 1=F / 2=F / 3= T / 4= F/ 5=T/ 6=T/ 7=F

1. . Theatres only showed plays. 2

. The Puritans were worried tha3

. Puritans thought theatres were educational. 4

. After 1642, Actors were whipped if they were5

. The Globe theatre was demolished. 6

. You cannot visit the Globe Theatre to7

S

'ROMEO AND JULIET' by The Pocket

e Globe theatre is full as the audience wait for a new play written by Shakespeare.

the play today?

f surprise our story is incomplete. We suggest that

Oxford Theatre Company

ThThe 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 place, 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?

ill they find any actors? WWill they be able to performWill there be a happy ending? n order to keep an element oIstudents are read the synopsis below to give them a general idea of the plot.

'ROMEO AND JULIET' by William

boy and a girl, from families who hate each other bitterly, fall in love but everything es wrong for them and they kill themselves rather than be parted. Most of the play

fight between servants of two of the most important families, the Montagues and pulets is broken up by the Prince. Romeo tells Benvolio that he is in love with

. At the ball Romeo meets and falls in love with Juliet,

envolio and Mercutio look for Romeo. Juliet tells Romeo that she loves him, and xchange vows. Romeo goes to see Friar Lawrence, who agrees to marry them

Juliet. Juliet blushes when she hears of

he next day, Mercutio picks a fight with Tybalt. Romeo turns up and tries to ne.

ow a murderer and is banished from Verona.

aris goes to Friar Lawrence's cell. Paris announces that he is to marry Juliet on ay. Juliet says that she will stab herself rather than marry Paris. The Friar

grees to marry Paris to please her father, who then brings the wedding day

Shakespeare - A SYNOPSIS

A gotakes 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 Monatgues 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 Athe CaRosaline. 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 Rosalineonly 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 Bthey eas 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 marrythis news. Romeo and Juliet meet at the Friar's cell and they are married in secret. Act 3 TinterveTybalt kills Mercutio. This makes Romeo angry and he then kills Tybalt. Romeo is n Act 4 PThursdgives 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 aforward 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

cary to get some poison.

Paris is at Juliet's tomb when Romeo arrives. They

elated Films hakespeare: The Animated Tales" Romeo and Juliet (1992)

ve (Gwyneth Paltrow, Judi Dench, 1998) Baz Luhrmann, 1996)

apotheFriar Lawrence learns that his messanger did not get to Mantua to give Romeo his message because of the Plague. 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.

R"SShakespeare In LoRomeo and Juliet (Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, Director -

TOP 5 FACTS ABOUT QUEEN ELIZABETH I

, London.

2. The father and mother of Queen Elizabeth was the notorious King Henry VIII, and

. Queen Elizabeth almost died of Smallpox in 1562 and was left with scars on her hich was fashionable at

e time.

1. Queen Elizabeth was born 7th September 1533 at Greenwich Palace

his second wife Anne Boleyn. 3. Queen Elizabeth I died on 24 March 1603 (of blood poisoning) - She was nearly 70 years of age. 4. Queen Elizabeth I reigned for 45 years, from 1558-1603. 5face - she covered these using the heavy white make-up wth

QUESTION SHEET I born?

. Who were her father and mother?

. How old was Queen Elizabeth I when she died

. For how long did Queen Elizabeth I reign?

. Why did Queen Elizabeth I wear such heavy white make-up?

ORD SEARCH

ts complete the following word-searches whilst discussing r a fuller understanding.

lot Casting Actor Play Acts Theatre Drama

tage Prop Globe Costume Scene Set Part

1. Where was Queen Elizabeth 2 3 4 5

W We suggest that the studen

e meaning of each term foth 1/ Find the following theatre words: P S

PUZZLE - Can you get Shakespeare to the Palace?

AME - 'In The Meaning Of The Word'

r a couple of minutes. er must decide on an

verb. The student (A) then returns to the room and tries to guess what the adverb is

atiently, spookily, arefully, fiercely, thoughtfully etc.

G For this game one student (A) must leave the classroom fo

nce the student (A) has left the room, the class or teachOadby 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 a lot of fun!! Suggested adverbs - lovingly, crazily, wildly, tiredly, passionately, hungrily, lazily, mysteriously, clumsily, forcefully, dramatically, romantically, impc

DRAWING AND ACTING;

ut the students into groups. Have the stPfa

udents draw, or use collage, to depict their vourite 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.

AFTER THE PLAY

would appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Any

clude 'Romeo and Juliet' (for Primary

in in the future. Please contact us t the address below.

ontact

The Pocket Oxford Theatre Company info@factoriacultural.com

Fax - 971765623

The Pocket Oxford Theatre company hope that the students and teachers have

joyed the show. We encontributions 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 instudents), '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 agaa C

Tel – 971765622