Elizabethan London was a place of bustle and energy. The centre of a growing kingdom and a cradle of the arts, one of the most famous institutions being the Globe theatre. In this interactive performance workshop pupils explore the life and work of actors at the Globe, and they rehearse and perform their own version of one of Shakespeare's plays. This workshop is relevant to History teachers wishing to explore Tudor life styles and past times. However, it is also flexible enough to allow English teachers to explore a specific text, its historical context, and to investigate direction and interpretation.

Roman Britain

Set in the time leading up to the burning of Colchester during the Boudicca uprising, this workshop explores the clash of cultures between the Roman and the Iron Age British. Pupils enter the household of a Roman legionary and his British wife and explore aspects of the Romano-British world such as food, entertainment, relaxation and the Roman military machine. Allis not olives and hot bathes, however, as the wife needs to choose between honouring her family and loyalty to her Roman husband.

The Ancient Greeks

This workshop is physical and expressive and pupils explore Greek theatre, mythology and aspects of ancient Greek society. Challenging and stimulating, it aims to develop confidence and skills in movement and mask work as the pupils are drawn into performing one of the Greek myths themselves.

Life in the Tudor Town

Pupils are taken back to become part of a merchant's household preparing for the arrival of the Queen. They are given access to stimulus objects and costume from the period, which lead into improvised performance work. Pupils will explore: the contrast between rich and poor; begging and pick-pocketing; the plague and attempts by doctors to treat patients; life in a large house; clothing; the demands made by royalty if they came to visit; and Tudor entertainment, including dance.

The Industrial Revolution

Pupils become factory workers for this workshop, which investigates, amongst others, the issues of child employment. Will they persuade their factory owner to bring about reform? How does a factory worker's life differ from the factory owner's? The workshop is particularly relevant to History at Key Stage 2 & 3, in that it looks at the consequences of industrial change.