In a celebration of creativity, hard work, and collaboration, four of our primary schools sold out Newcastle’s Northern Stage theatre over two evenings with powerful performances of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays. Pupils from Belsay, Darras Hall, Ponteland, and Richard Coates Primary Schools each took their turn in the spotlight as part of the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival, delivering remarkable renditions of classic Shakespeare plays to over 300 people.

The festival brought together the energy and talent of Key Stage 2 pupils, many of whom had spent months learning lines, refining stage directions, and embracing the challenge of Shakespearean language. The schools wowed the crowd with high-energy performances and a great display of emotion, including humour and tragedy. 

It was great to see four fantastic productions, each unique with the personality and spirit of their school communities: Belsay Primary School with Much Ado About Nothing, Darras Hall Primary School with Macbeth (with a Twist), Ponteland Primary School portrayed a Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Richard Coates Primary School did The Tempest (Reimagined). 

Belsay Headteacher Craig Shaw reflected on the performance:

“It is not often I am lost for words, but I find it hard to describe just how incredible the performance was. The children were absolutely unbelievable – so confident, so clearly spoken, and most of all, so dramatic. A huge thank you also to our parents and carers for their support – we truly appreciate it.”

Darras Hall’s Year 5 pupils took a bold, creative turn with Macbeth, reinventing the Scottish tragedy as a gritty tale of American biker gangs. With support from Mr Turner and Mrs Fargher, the children crafted a thrilling 30-minute performance filled with tension, drama, humour, and dance. 

Ponteland Primary School Headteacher Claire Johnson says: 

“I can’t find enough superlatives to describe how impressive their performance was! Not a line was missed, every voice was projected loud and clear throughout the theatre and each actor executed their part with panache. What made the evening even more special was the camaraderie – hearing our pupils cheer on the other schools and vice versa showed what a brilliant community this is.”

And Richard Coates took audiences on a powerful journey with their modern take on The Tempest, combining strong storytelling with clear, confident delivery, leaving all children very proud of their production. 

A Celebration of Talent and Community

More than just a showcase of theatre, the two evenings at Northern Stage highlighted what’s possible when young people are given the space to be creative and practice new things. The atmosphere was electric as students from all four schools cheered each other on and discovered the art of live performances.

With the guidance and dedication of their teachers and support staff, and the encouragement of families and the wider community, each school brought Shakespeare to life in a way that was accessible, joyful, and utterly unforgettable for all involved!

Pele Trust could not be prouder of its pupils, not just for their performances, but for the bravery, commitment, and hard work they demonstrated throughout the practices and final production.