The Royal Shakespeare Company this week became the first UK theatre to broadcast Shakespeare directly into schools when Richard II, starring former Doctor Who David Tennant in the title role, was streamed into classrooms.
The free broadcast took place on Friday (November 15) and it is estimated that at least 34,000 students tuned in. The production was followed with a live Q&A with Mr Tennant, pictured, and the RSC’s artistic director Gregory Doran.
The production marks the launch of a series of Shakespeare plays that the RSC intends to broadcast free-of-charge into schools each term. It is part of its Young Shakespeare Nation project, in collaboration with the Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts.
The project was supported by students from Ravensbourne College in London and by Janet, which provided the resource to allow 3,000 terminals to log-on to view the play.
Richard II is the first of three RSC Shakespeare plays to be filmed live during the coming year. Young Shakespeare Nation also includes live theatre experiences, teacher CPD, and workshops for students. For details, visit www.rsc.org.uk/education
Photography: Jillian Edelstein