The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is offering families a whole host of fun this October with an action-packed schedule of events. Highlights include:
- Celebrate the RSC’s forthcoming production of A Christmas Carol with two special workshops
- Learn specially commissioned choral arrangements of traditional wassailing songs in the run-up to Christmas and Twelfth Night
- Enjoy brand new baby and toddler groups starting this October half-term
Baby and toddler group taster session: £4 child, Events Space, The Other Place
Monday 23 October, 10.15am-10.45am, 6-18 months
Monday 23 October, 11.15am-12noon, 18 months-four years
Ahead of the RSC’s baby and toddler groups taking place from October, enjoy a taster and learn more about these Shakespeare inspired multi-sensory sessions which offer a creative environment to play and explore. The free–flow sessions will be held in small groups of up to 10 children and their parents or carers who will be encouraged to engage at their own pace. Children must be accompanied by a parent or carer.
Wassailing Workshop: £3.50 adults, £2.50 child, Clore Learning Centre
Monday 23 October, 11am-12.45pm
Join ex-Bellowhead member and choral arranger Paul Sartin and learn specially commissioned choral arrangements of traditional wassailing songs and Christmas carols – ahead of the RSC’s first Wassail event on 6 January 2018. Translated as ‘be in good health’, wassailing is an English tradition associated with the Twelfth Night of Christmas, singing to the health of apple trees in the hope they might yield a good harvest. Suitable for children aged eight and over. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No experience necessary.
Introduce: A Christmas Carol: £3.50 adults, £2.50 child, Upper Circle Bar, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Tuesday 24 October, 11am-11.45am
To celebrate the RSC’s forthcoming production of A Christmas Carol, children aged between four and eight can take part in a fun and active session to introduce themselves to scenes and themes from the play through simple rehearsal techniques.
Discover: A Christmas Carol: £3.50 adults, £2.50 children, Upper Circle Bar, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Tuesday 24 October, 2pm- 3.30pm
Learn how actors use their bodies to tell stories and create characters and work with an RSC practitioner and explore the stories and themes from the RSC’s forthcoming production of A Christmas Carol. Suitable for ages eight to 12 years and their parents or guardian.
Blood, Guts and Gore: £3.50 adults, £2.50 child, Event Space, The Other Place
Wednesday 25 October, 11.30am-12.30pm
Join former RSC Head of Wigs and Make-up, Brenda Leedham, as she talks about the tricks of the trade and how bruises, cuts and scars are created. Suitable for all ages and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
EXHBITIONS THIS OCTOBER HALF-TERM:
The Play’s the Thing
New costumes and props on display from Saturday 23 September
Closed between Monday 11 September and Friday 22 September
Children go free throughout the Warwickshire school holidays: Monday 23 October to Sunday October 29 Enjoy the RSC’s interactive family friendly exhibition, The Play’s the Thing, with costumes worn by David Tennant, Derek Jacobi and Judi Dench. Discover the secrets and stories of theatre-making, and get hands-on with our interactive exhibits.
FREE DROP-IN ACTIVITIES THIS OCTOBER HALF-TERM – NO NEED TO BOOK
CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT
Play Cart: available at the RSC Riverside Café, Susie’s Cafe at The Other Place Foyer
Monday – Sunday, 10am-5pm
Families can enjoy an array of craft activities with the RSC Play Cart available in the Riverside Café and at The Other Place foyer.
Story Blankets: available from The Other Place information desk
Monday – Saturday, 10am-5pm
Aimed at children aged between two to six years of age, the RSC’s story blankets use special fabrics and simple puzzles to bring a story to life.
Adventure Bags, Royal Shakespeare Theatre Cloakroom
Explore Shakespeare and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with a special RSC adventure bag. Suitable for ages six to 10 years. Ask a member of staff to borrow one.
Dressing Up Box: cloakroom, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Monday – Sunday, 10am-5pm
Dress-up with a range of special costumes from the RSC Costume Store. The permanent dressing-up box is for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Craft Workshop, Colonnade, The Swan Theatre
Thursday, 26 October, 11am- 4pm
Enjoy a costume themed craft workshop this October half-term.
Building Trail, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, 10am-5pm
Explore the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and find objects and items from the past and present using our free family building trail leaflet. Available from our leaflet racks. Tour takes around 40 minutes.
Pic cap: Families and children can enjoy an array of half-term fun this October at the RSC. Photo by Sara Beaumont, copyright the RSC.
