MAY HALF TERM FAMILY ACTIVITES AT THE RSC IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

DATE ISSUED: 7 MAY 2025

DOWNLOAD IMAGES HERE 

• Full week of activities for all ages between Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 May at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon
• Inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tim Crouch’s one man show I, Peaseblossom runs in the Swan Theatre between Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 May
• Visitors can enjoy the new inflatable ceiling installation and matching floor vinyl in the colonnade created by artist Lisa Curtis
• Programme also includes costume workshops, exploring Shakespeare using your senses, stop-motion animation classes, storytelling workshops, acting classes and interactive puppetry demonstrations

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) today releases full details of its May Half Term activities for families and young people, many of which are free. Brimming with engaging workshops and events, there's something to delight everyone, from aspiring actors, to imaginative crafters and inquisitive minds.

In addition, award winning writer and performer Tim Crouch brings his one man show I, Peaseblossom - a joyous take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream for families and young people – to the Swan Theatre for a limited run.

I, PEASEBLOSSOM

This captivating one-man show revisits A Midsummer Night’s Dream through the fevered imagination of the Bard’s most overlooked fairy. Written and performed by the multi-award-winning theatre maker Tim Crouch, this wildly inventive production combines humour, heartbreak and a touch of madness to create a gloriously anarchic take on one of Shakespeare’s most beloved works which is perfect for all the family.

• Swan Theatre
• Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 May
• 10.30am and 2.30pm
• Suitable for ages 7+
• Running time: 60 minutes, no interval
• Book tickets here or by calling 01789 331111

COLONNADE INSTALLATION

Situated in the foyer between the RST and the Swan theatre, a stunning new installation by artist Lisa Curtis is set to transform the colonnade into a vibrant celebration of colour, imagination, and playfulness. This large, suspended inflatable artwork, complemented by matching floor vinyl, is free for all to see and is inspired by the RSC’s summer family production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, running in The Other Place from August 4 to 31. Supported by Designs in Air, the installation invites young people and families on an engaging journey through the themes of the play and Shakespeare’s imagined Italy as part of the RSC’s yearly programme focused on playfulness and imagination.

• Available during building opening hours
• Installed from May to September
• RST Colonnade – front of house space between RST and Swan
• Free to visit
• Designed by Lisa Curtis

HOW TO MAKE COSTUME ACCESSORIES

Join us to learn how to make your very own costume accessories, using recycled fabrics and materials from the RSC stage. Taking inspiration from our many designs, you'll make your own creation to play with at home.

• Tuesday 27 May from 10am to 12pm
• Welcome Space, Level 2, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
• Suitable for ages 5+
• Children must be accompanied by their parent/carer
• Free to attend, no booking required

COSTUME QUICK CHANGE

Our actors often make very quick costume changes - come and have a go! Try on costumes and learn how to change into a new one as quickly as possible with behind-the-scenes tips and tricks - can you set the fastest time?

• Tuesday 27 May from 2pm to 5pm
• Welcome Space, Level 2, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
• Suitable for ages 5+
• Children must be accompanied by their parent/carer
• Free to attend, no booking required

SENSORY STAY AND PLAY: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Explore the worlds of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in these free drop-in stay and play sessions. Through textures, sounds and smells, you will explore and imagine you are in the woods of this enchanting play.

• Thursday 29 May from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
• Welcome Space, Level 2, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
• Suitable for ages 0 – 4 years
• Children must be accompanied by their parent/carer
• Free to attend, no booking required

PLAYFUL SHAKESPEARE

Join us on the hour, for an hour, to play with a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Using rehearsal games and props, you'll work together to become your very own company of actors.

• Friday 30 May – see timings below
• Welcome Space, Level 2, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
• Suitable for ages 5+
• Children must be accompanied by a parent/carer
• Free to attend, no booking required

11am – Act 1: Become the King and Queen of the fairies
12pm – Act 2: Get lost in the woods with four friends
2pm – Act 3: Everyone is reunited – time for a party
3pm – Act 4: Create the play within a play, as the Mechanicals

SHARING SHAKESPEARE

Come back and share what you’ve made during the week. Join us to celebrate your creations and bring together the amazing playful and imaginative work from throughout the week. Anyone who has taken part in an activity or workshop is welcome to return with their parents/carer.

• Friday 30 May from 4pm to 5pm
• Welcome Space, Level 2, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
• Suitable for all ages
• Children must be accompanied by a parent/carer
• Free to attend, no booking required

Find out more about all our free activities here.

COSTUME MAKING MASTERCLASS

Calling all budding costume designers – join us to design and create your own costume for one of Shakespeare characters from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

• Friday 30 May 10:30am to 3:30pm
• Clore Learning Centre
• Drop-off workshop
• Suitable for ages 8-14
• Book your ticket here 

FAMILY STORYTELLING

Storytelling is central to all that we do at the RSC, and in this fun, bitesize session, we'll introduce you to the world of Shakespeare. Take a journey through Shakespeare’s plays with a mixture of actor-led storytelling, drama games and play.

• Wednesday 28 May from 10:30am to 11:20am and 12pm to 12:50pm
• Clore Learning Centre
• Suitable for ages 4-8
• Please book a ticket for all attending
• Children must be accompanied by an adult £5 per adult, £4 per child
• Book a ticket here 

FAMILY PUPPETRY

Over our long history, we have used puppets in various productions, and many of them are made right here in Stratford! In this session, learn to make and operate your very own puppets inspired by characters from Shakespeare. Perfect for those looking for a fun family workshop, who want to learn more about the making and mechanics of puppetry.

• Thursday 29 May from 11am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm
• Clore Learning Centre
• Suitable for ages 5+
• Please book a ticket for all attending
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• £5 per adult, £4 per child
• Book a ticket here 

WORKSHOPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Perfect for budding young theatre makers who want to act, make, or brush up on their writing and animation skills! All workshops are drop-off sessions at The Clore Learning Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Ages 8 to 11 sessions include:

• Act Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Tuesday 27 May – 10:30am to 12:30pm
• Act Shakespeare – Much Ado About Nothing – Tuesday 27 May – 1:30pm to 3:30pm
• Stop Motion Animation Workshop – Wednesday 28 May – 11am to 4pm
• Write Like Shakespeare Workshop – Friday 30 May – 11am to 12:30pm

Book your ticket here 

Ages 11 to 14 sessions include:

• Act Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Wednesday 28 May – 1:30pm to 3:30pm
• Act Shakespeare – Much Ado About Nothing – Wednesday 28 May – 10:30am to 3:30pm
• Stop Motion Animation Workshop – Tuesday 27 May – 11am to 4pm
• Write Like Shakespeare Workshop – Friday 30 May – 1:30pm to 3pm

Book your tickets here 

Ages 14 – 18 session:

• Act Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night’s Dream –Thursday 29 May – 10:30am to 3:30pm

Book your ticket here 

For more information please contact: Olivia Scull, Press Officer, olivia.scull@rsc.org.uk 074433 84242

NOTES TO EDITORS

The RSC is supported using public funding by Arts Council England

The work of the RSC is supported by the Culture Recovery Fund

The RSC is generously supported by RSC America Royal Shakespeare Company

(RSC) creates exceptional theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and around the world, performing plays by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as commissioning a wide range of original work from contemporary writers. Our purpose is to ensure that Shakespeare – and theatre as a whole – is for everyone and we do that by unlocking the power of his plays and live performance and with our learning and education work throughout the UK and across the world.

Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk