From the Globe to the West End

The theatre was centre stage, when a group of students from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in Newcastle enjoyed a three-day cultural trip to London.

The Year 12 Literature students saw their studies brought to life at Shakespeare’s iconic Globe Theatre, and also had time to take in a West End show, as well as visit some of the capital’s most famous sights.

“We attended an A-Level Study Day at Shakespeare’s Globe to further our understanding of our Shakespeare text King Lear,” said English Teacher and Literacy Coordinator Michael Willis, who led the trip.

“This involved a tour, seminar, and acting workshop led by an actor. We also went to the West End to see Hadestown.”

“Rather than use the transport, we walked to most places,” he continued. “We walked 32 miles in total across the trip, and that allowed us to see key sites like the South Bank, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge.

“We ate at Borough Market a couple of times, because it’s such a lively and bustling place with a wide range of food options.

“We also went to see the British Treasures exhibition at the British Library, which included Shakespeare’s First Folio.”

The trip has become a regular event in the school calendar, and was taking place for the fifth time.

“It was linked to our study of Shakespeare’s King Lear, and gaining a better understanding of the geography of Shakespeare’s theatre land on Bankside,” explained Mr Willis.

“By visiting the West End, we were also able to compare how theatre has developed since Shakespeare.”

“I think trips like this are crucial, rather than just important,” he added. “Literature is not something that exists within a classroom, and literature is far more than words on a page.

“Shakespeare in particular is far more than just words – Shakespearean texts need to be experienced, performed, and understood as examples of early modern visual culture, in order for their impact to be felt to our students today.

“Additionally, we gave students the opportunity for a ‘London night at the theatre’ – dinner before a show –a vital contribution to cultural capital.”