This collection tells the life stories of the people whom we know Shakespeare encountered, shedding new light on Shakespeare's life and times.

Developed by one of the world's leading theatre companies, this resource offers teachers a practical drama-based approach to teaching and appreciating three of Shakespeare's most popular plays: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream.Drama-based exploration of the text for pupilsTeacher's notes and photocopiable worksheets for a lesson-by-lesson routeAlso works as a dip in resourceFlexible ideas for use with current teachingMapped to KS3 Framework for English and KS2 Primary Framework for LiteracyCD contains printable digital versions

In a period during which a play previously staged very traditionally was represented in a variety of original ways, Robert Smallwood looks at what we could call the 'Seven Ages of As You Like It' by considering just what directors, designers and actors did differently to make their vision original. How are the environments of the court and the Forest of Arden presented; bleak and chilling or welcoming and celebratory? What does each actress bring to the crucial role of Rosalind that will help show the journey from her relationship with Celia to that with Orlando? How are the anti-romantic Touchstone and Jaques portrayed? How successfully is Hymen, the god of marriage, brought to the stage? This engaging volume celebrates the rich performance history of an always popular play. In a period during which a play previously staged very traditionally was represented in a variety of original ways, Robert Smallwood looks at what we could call the 'Seven Ages of As You Like It' by considering just what directors, designers and actors did differently to make their vision original. How are the environments of the court and the Forest of Arden presented; bleak and chilling or welcoming and celebratory? What does each actress bring to the crucial role of Rosalind that will help show the journey from her relationship with Celia to that with Orlando? How are the anti-romantic Touchstone and Jaques portrayed? How successfully is Hymen, the god of marriage, brought to the stage? This engaging volume celebrates the rich performance history of an always popular play.