Discover more about our First Encounters with Shakespeare productions and read feedback from students and teachers.
WHAT ARE FIRST ENCOUNTERS PRODUCTIONS?
First Encounters with Shakespeare are our 80-minute edited versions of Shakespeare’s plays and are designed to be the perfect introduction to his work. They are productions made with, by and for young people aged 7-13, and enjoyed by young people and their families.
These productions tour to partner schools, theatres and community venues, adapting to play in different spaces in the heart of communities across England. The tour is made up of daytime performances to fit within school hours and evening or weekend, community performances.
The premise of a First Encounter production is that anyone – of any age – having their first experience of Shakespeare’s work is able to access the play and Shakespeare’s language in an environment that feels relaxed and welcoming. The productions are made to be accessible and interactive for audiences, with an introduction to the play that highlights the characters and key plot points in the story.
We have been touring First Encounters productions for over 10 years, with the most recent being The Tempest in 2025. This production played to over 12,000 people within 82 performances in schools, theatres and town halls across 15 different towns and cities. Nearly 50% of audiences who watched this production had never seen a Shakespeare performance before.
DISCOVER OUR PAST PRODUCTIONS
WHAT DO AUDIENCES THINK?
Students' responses to our shows have been overwhelmingly positive, with feedback such as “terrific”, “I didn’t think I’d understand that – but I really did!” and “I want to watch that every day for the rest of my life”.
Headteachers who have brought their primary students to watch First Encounters productions have described seeing their students “spellbound” by the performances, observing them engage in ways they’ve never seen them do so before.
They report a transformation in perceptions around Shakespeare and the arts, with many of their students independently returning to watch another performance with their parent/carer, grandparent or siblings.
Teachers report that their students gain a deeper knowledge of the play from watching First Encounters and that these productions bring a sense of unity and community in the performance space.
