The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced the 44 young people from Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire, who, together with 12 young people from Northamptonshire, will join the professional cast in the forthcoming production of Romeo and Juliet directed by Deputy Artistic Director, Erica Whyman.
The young people aged 12 – 18 all attend schools in the RSC’s Associate Schools programme or work in a partnership with the RSC. In teams of four they will perform each night in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon sharing the role of the Chorus with the professional cast.
Erica Whyman said: “We were bowled over by the impact our tour of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation had on the young people who took part and those who came to watch as we traversed the UK. I want to build on that hugely positive experience, as we stage Romeo and Juliet, opening up a dialogue with young people in schools in ways we have never before been able to do. By inviting these young people to join us on stage I want to celebrate the diverse talent of the UK and highlight the revolutionary heart of this most timeless love story.”
From Birmingham young people join from: City Academy, Hall Green School and Moseley School and Sixth Form.
From Coventry young people join from: President Kennedy School Academy and Sidney Stringer Academy.
From Warwickshire young people join from: Campion School in Leamington Spa, Kineton High School, Myton School in Warwick, Shipston High School, Stratford-upon-Avon College, Stratford-upon-Avon School, St Benedict’s Catholic High School in Alcester and Welcombe Hills School.
