Teach Your Child to Love Reading: Shakespearean Drama and Performance

What if you could transform the way your child experiences stories? 

Drama can help children not just see words on a page, but provide them with opportunities to explore and the freedom to imagine. 

Performance allows the words on the page to come to life, and ignites a new way of experiencing a story. Actors, sets, costumes and music facilitate expression through various mediums and encourage different interpretations of even the most famous tales.  

So, how do we encourage students to explore the world of drama? 

Below are some of the most engaging and practical strategies for parents of 8-12 year-olds, to help them develop a love of Shakespearean drama. This can help children communicate confidently and serves as an effective tool for language learning, with a bit of fun on the side! 

Shakespeare4All Hong Kong

S4A (Shakespeare4All) is one of Hong Kong’s leading youth charities focused on English language performing arts. Founded in 2003, its mission is to build students’ self-confidence and fluency in English through the performance of Shakespearean plays and other theatrical productions. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to get stuck in and try out Shakespeare’s characters for themselves. 

One of their standout events is the Battle of the Bards, where participants showcase their own interpretations of Shakespeare’s work. This competition invites anyone aged 8 to 18 to demonstrate their talent, whether they choose to perform solo or collaborate with friends. There are no elaborate costumes required, just basic black clothing, a chair, and minimal props. This event emphasises the understanding of Shakespearean language and incorporates it into acting and storytelling.

Hong Kong International Shakespeare Festival (HKISF)

The Hong Kong International Shakespeare Festival (HKISF) serves as the city’s first international performing arts platform dedicated to the artistic expression of Shakespeare’s works. The festival showcases contemporary productions of Shakespeare’s plays from both local and international artists, encouraging cross-cultural and interdisciplinary exchange. Children can see how actors embody iconic Shakespearean characters and can understand how setting, costume and delivery impact an audience’s understanding of the story. The festival took place in June 2024, and it’s likely to return in 2025, so be sure to watch for updates and plan to attend!

At Brandon, expression and exploration is at the heart of everything we do. If you are interested in reading, speaking, or further engaging with Shakespeare, why not join one of our classes?

RT