Highly skilled Year 9 students perform an 'innovative and creative Macbeth' at the Schools Shakespeare Festival 2024

22 talented Year 9 students impressed an audience of over 200 people with their take on Macbeth, peformed on the professional stage at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury at the beginning of November.

Their performance was part of the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival, the world's largest youth drama festival. Each year thousands of young people unite to take part and the Festival culminates with exhilarating performance evenings in professional theatres across the country, raising aspirations and unlocking their potential. 

"SSF gives students the opportunity to work as an ensemble-based theatre company where they can create work inspired by contemporary theatre makers. They are given the opportunity to perform on a professional stage, with a professional tech crew, and to an audience of 200+ people! They develop skills in project management, teamwork, commitment, work discipline, creative interpretation, confidence, and presentation, as well as having fun as part of company along the way. This is our third year taking part and the students have loved every minute! Well done!" 

- Ms Austin, Head of Dance and Teacher of Drama 

"It is my great pleasure to congratulate you, Cheltenham Bournside School, on your brilliant performance of Macbeth as part of Shakespeare Schools Festival this autumn. It was a joy to watch you shine on your performance night, and I’d like to spend some time now highlighting all the aspects of your production that I loved the most.

I don't think I have ever seen such an innovative and creative Macbeth in all my time doing Shakespeare Schools Festival. It felt like I was watching an avant garde European piece of theatre!

A remarkably innovative and effective Macbeth, delivered with such precision by
a highly skilled and hard working cast.

The simple but highly effecting use of dim lighting and torches held the piece perfectly, we were submerged into the intense atmosphere reflecting the pressure Macbeth is under throughout the play. The brilliant touch of white hazmat suits really added to this effect. The audience were transported to the world of the play, with a constant reminder of its muderous themes.

The use of ensemble was exemplary. You performed with such precision it really felt like a professional production. You executed each moment so effectively and with great precision, even moving chairs all of your chairs at the same time. The piece was fantasticaly theatrical and gripping for your audience.

Your textual works was very impressive. You delivered your lines with great emotion, clarity and understanding of your characters and their circumstances. It was really impressive to see such accomplished performances by a year 9 group. I really hope you all go on to do GCSE drama!

A remarkably innovative and effective Macbeth, delivered with such precision by a highly skilled and hard working cast. 

We are in awe of all your passion, hard work and creativity! What you have accomplished is something truly special, and we are already looking forward to reimagining Shakespeare with Cheltenham Bournside School again next year."

- Appraised by Alice Lamb, Shakespeare Schools Festival - 06.11.24