Our Shakespeare Summer School 2026 runs from Tuesday August 18th to Saturday August 22nd and booking is now open!

We are delighted this year to be funded by The National Lottery. We are offering four FREE places at Summer School and paid places are heavily subsidised : £99 for young people aged 12+ and £75 for children aged 8-11. The 12+ group will attend from Tuesday to Saturday and the 8-11 group from Wednesday to Saturday.

Shakespeare can often have negative connotations for young people, not least those who study a play for GCSE English Literature. The aim of our Summer School, however, is to crush any negativity around this area by rehearsing and performing his work in an active and positive environment. We want to give children and young people both the opportunity to experience Shakespeare in a fun, positive and enjoyable way but also the chance to perform his work.

Workshops this year (Tuesday to Friday) will take place at Anstey Community Hall (EX36 3NU). Our two lead practitioners are James Gillam (former school Head of Drama, writer and current Director of Fabula Youth Theatre) and Beth Pollard (actor, musician, director, writer and current Head of Drama at Harrow High School). On Friday, we will be joined by David Johnson and Melissa Niamh Barrett from local Shakespeare experts Sun and Moon Theatre who will lead a Preparing for Performance day.

On Saturday we will move to Knackershole Garden Theatre, nr Dulverton where alongside one professional actor our Summer School participants will perform.

It will be a busy, fun week, a perfect outlet for creative young people.You will take part in theatre workshops, meet new people and develop acting skills alongside learning lots about Shakespeare. No previous acting experience (or Shakespeare experience) is necessary. Get in touch for more details!