I've probably shared before my love of a local summer tradition: Shakespeare for Kids at the library. This is a special presentation by theater professionals in which the adults call on volunteering children to play the parts in a simplified re-telling of a Shakespearean play. The adults whisper lines in the children's ears, explain what is happening in the story, and involve the audience as much as possible. Not only does this help children gain an appreciation of Shakespeare, it is quite entertaining all on its own. Each week the children are encouraged to memorize a line from the week's play, and Eliza still recites this great Shakespearean insult from King Lear: "A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats."
Jack and Eliza were recently featured in A Comedy of Errors, and then in Henry V. In both cases, Jack had one of the bigger parts and Eliza had one of the smaller parts, but they had a great time anyway.
Jack as Dromio of Syracuse and Eliza as an officer in A Comedy of Errors, during which Jack had the honor of reciting the famous line, "I see by you I am a sweet-faced youth."
These pictures were taken immediately following Henry V, with Jack as Dauphin and Eliza as Governor of Harfleur:
What a great adventure!
ReplyDelete