Prepare an audition, learn lines, develop a character, conquer the language of Shakespeare. These were just some of the tasks Primary 5a at St Mary’s Edinburgh had to master as part of the Shakespeare School Festival. It was an amazing chance to be able to perform Romeo and Juliet in a professional theatre in front of hundreds of people. November 20th 2013 at 7 pm was the evening they had all been working hard towards, they would be performing Romeo and Juliet. Of the experience, the pupils said, ‘Lines learnt and ready to shine like the stars our teacher Mr Reddington says we are. We performed our show with Fettes and Merchiston School for Boys. On the night the lights went down and we all had to get into position, we were a bit scared and anxious but excited too. The lights that shone down were very bright and although we knew there were a lot of people in the audience it was hard to see them. As soon as we started we forgot all about our nerves and the show seemed to go so fast. Our show went very well and everyone remembered all their lines, all the fights and the movements we had to do. All of a sudden the lights went up and the audience began to roar, cheer and clap. It was such an amazing feeling as we took our bow and the audience kept clapping. What a fantastic experience it was to be a part of this festival. It was lots of hard work but so worth it as we will remember Romeo and Juliet for the rest of our lives.’
Pupils rehearsing a dramatic scene from Romeo and Juliet
