Youngsters from Westcliff were treated to a spot of culture when the Scottish play came to town.

The traditional Shakespeare Company visited Prittlewell School in Prittlewell Chase to teach year nine and ten pupils about the famous play Macbeth.

Before the travelling band of artists put on their show they held a workshop with the teenagers to explain the story behind the play. The pupils learned how the play was written and how the English language has changed since those times.

The method of acting was also discussed and some of the children tried their hand at stage stunts such as sword fighting.

The play was held in the school hall in a style similar to how it would originally have been staged in Shakespearean times with the audience gathered in a semi-circle.

Four actors from the travelling theatre company took on the parts of the play's different characters and all were dressed in beautiful period costume.

The day was part of the school's enrichment curriculum which is designed to widen students' experience of the arts.

Simon Gosden, acting deputy headteacher at Prittlewell School, said: "We are very keen at the school to widen the cultural experiences of pupils."

Drama treat - actors play out a scene from Macbeth in front of youngsters from Prittlewell School

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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