Magic in Muscat!
Magic was all around The Royal Opera House, Muscat at the beginning of February! Exploring Shakespeare FINDING THE WILL was thrilled to be given the opportunity to be part of the Play Your Dream – Exploring Shakespeare Project at the The Royal Opera House, Muscat earlier this month. Whilst we are known for weaving our magic nationally here in the UK, it was a huge thrill to be asked to share our work internationally. At the end of December we were approached to run workshops for children on A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM in the run up to performances of Benjamin Britten’s opera. What an honour! Just look where we finished up! The Magic of the Interactive Workshops Here at FINDING THE WILL we have always strived to increase the confidence and self-esteem of the children we work with. We weren’t sure what to expect when we set off on the first morning in Oman. Would the children we were to meet be shy? Scared of speaking up? Unable to understand us? Would they follow the story? Would they want to take part? We needn’t have worried! Both Richard and I were amazed by the confidence, vocabulary, enthusiasm and general joie de vivre of all of the children we met. In total we worked with approximately 200 children over the three days. They ranged in age from 6 – 12 and were from a variety of backgrounds. One workshop was purely for children who were home-schooled. With only 5 children taking part in this one, we roped in their mums to play Oberon, Titania and Puck, whilst Richard and I covered Theseus, Hippolyta and Egeus. In all honesty, the adults in the room (Teachers, parents, Opera House staff), in every workshop we ran, were as engaged as the children. Completely drawn into the magic of the story! The most unusual Stage Door we have ever had the privilege of walking through! What an incredible building! Magic moments There were many magic moments throughout the three days but there are a couple that stand out for me. Firstly, this gem of a moment: Richard: ” What would you say to your friend Bottom, if he suddenly appeared with a donkey’s head on?” Answer: “Get him to a doctor! Take him to a laboratory!” As always with FINDING THE WILL, there is never a wrong answer, just an interesting idea. The second moment that I will carry with me is the sound of raucous laughter. the pure joy of 40 children following a story (in a second language don’t forget), and relishing every twist and turn along the way. Whether it’s the magic of Shakespeare, the magic of our storytelling, or a combination of both, that sound – pure hilarity – is priceless. Heading home Our brief but oh so fulfilling visit came to an end on 8th February. There are whispers of us returning in April 2025 and Richard and I would be delighted if that happens. The country of Oman is fascinating, the people we met (both inside and outside of the Opera House) were warm and friendly. It feels like there is much more we can share with each other, so we really hope that this is not the last that the Royal Opera House, Muscat sees of us, or we see of it! Tempest Magic! Meanwhile, back here in the UK, Nick spent a couple of days in Bristol with Year 3 at Whitehall Primary. The magic of THE TEMPEST was the draw here. I understand there was a memorably enthusiastic dancing Prospero, a couple of really great Calibans and a swell of excitement for the forthcoming ‘Shakespeare Show’. That’s what we like to hear, the magic of Shakespeare continuing to spread! Thanks to Ms Tovey for liaising with me to arrange the visit this year. The magic of March! Coming up we have a busy month ahead. Nick and I are heading to Chelmsford (St Michael’s Junior School) and to Surrey (St Dominic’s Special Education School) with MACBETH and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM respectively. Then I am returning to St Catherine’s of Siena Primary in Birmingham, followed by Shellingford Primary in Oxfordshire with THE DREAM and MACBETH respectively. So I’ll be back at the end of next month with more tales of Macbeth mayhem and Midsummer magic. Until then, shukran liqarayatik
January? No, OMAN-UARY!
O Man, what a start to the year! (see what I did there?!)
We’ve always been keen on gender-blind casting here at FINDNG THE WILL,
Now I know you are wondering about the chicken joke, suggested as new material for Trinculo.
Last one of the year!
It’s the Last blog of the year already! I genuinely don’t know where 2023 disappeared to but, personally speaking, I’m not too sorry to see the back of it. How about you?
Encouraging children to find a voice, and then have the confidence to use it, is even more vital in a world where so many voices are lost amidst the clatter of poverty, abuse, self-importance and general hubbub.
All Hail Jules and Ange!
Sometimes, at the end of a workshop, we get thanked. Sometimes, we get a cheer. Rarely do we get a full on salutation of gratitude such as this!
Mention must also go to the three awesome witches! Whether it was the Halloween effect or, as I suspect, their genuine delight at having licence to cackle, they were great!
FINDNG THE WILL can actually make the lives of teachers easier too!
Hello Autumn My Old Friend
here we are at the beginning (actually almost in the middle) of the Autumn Term and I’ve only just realised that we’ve not spoken since the end of the Summer term.
Delighted to say we are heading back to a lovely school in Hornchurch in a couple of weeks.
The co-founder, and inspiration for FINDING THE WILL, Richard will be performing CALL ME OZ at The Bridge House Theatre, London in November.
Happy Summer Holidays!
A quick count up shows that during the last 10 months we’ve worked with approximately 1000 children ranging in age from 4 – 16.
We’ve covered the country from Merthyr Tydfil to Peterborough, Southampton to Yorkshire and all sorts of places in between!
Mediterranean, Mermaids and Michael Rosen
In the afternoon we travelled on to Greece for an introduction to A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.
There’s something magical about hearing a child speak Puck’s words at the end of the play.
Standing on a stage and speaking out loud to over 150 adults, is a pretty daunting task, especially when you are only 8 or 9.
Woodpecker or Monkey Brains?
Last week we went from Verona to Athens back to Italy and finally to Scotland!
“Woodpecker seasoned with pepper”. I think there’s a tongue twister in there somewhere!
So, here at FINDING THE WILL, we have a policy of Gender Blind Casting
FINDING THE WILL in Wales
the special guest was Michael Rosen (our Patron), so it was fitting that we were there too.
The big voices were still big, the little voices were a little louder but the church holds 800 people! Again, Mr Shakespeare (who was 459 of course last Sunday) has helped children from 7- 15 to come out of their shells.
Dear Diary…..
The Diary entry of Macbeth on the night he killed King Duncan, as imagined by one pupil in Year 6.
King Duncan set us off with his desire to ‘terminate’ the Thane of Cawdor.
Some of the teachers became actors – an extra thrill for the students watching the staff fall in and out of love at the squeeze of a purple flower!