Schoolboy whose real name is Hamlet joins friends to play Macbeth (From Surrey Comet)

Schoolboy whose real name is Hamlet joins friends to play Macbeth

9:00am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Kingston By Martin George

Dozens of young players strutted upon the stage when acting coaches helped them to bring Shakespeare to life.

Students from Green Lane, Knollmead and Malden Manor primary schools joined pupils at Grand Avenue Primary in Surbiton for special sessions run by workshop leaders from the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond.

One of the Malden Manor Primary children, Joshua Hamlet-Clarke, took on the role of Macduff.

Each school had two two-hour rehearsals of Macbeth during the week, before gathering for the performances on Friday, January 20.

Rachel Griffiths, a year 5 teacher at Grand Avenue, said: “From the moment the workshop began the children were fully engaged and hooked on the story of Macbeth.

“The high-quality coaching brought out the children's acting ability, from spooky witches cackles to dramatic slow motion fighting scenes between Macbeth and Macduff. It was an absolute pleasure to be in the audience.

“The following day I had a copy of a Macbeth storybook handed to me by a child requesting ‘Please can this be our next class reading book’?

“Evidently the workshop has helped to broaden the children’s knowledge and enjoyment of English literature. Shakespeare is now a hit in year 5."