"Final year drama students at Aberystwyth University have the option to audition for the annual School's Shakespeare Project. The project involves the students hosting a Shakespearean event that includes workshops aimed at school pupils, question and answer sessions and of course, a performance.

It is unique in the department in that it is fundamentally a community project and that the students involved help build on relationships with the public and specifically schools across Wales.

Although the schools that normally attend are from mid Wales, all are welcome. The work shops are moulded around the schools particular interests and are flexible. They involve the pupils actively taking part in a variety of theatrical games and exercises that feed their imagination and help them to explore the world of Shakespeare.

As the project changes every year, the age group is flexible. This year, we are performing one of his late plays The Winter's Tale which is more suited to the key stage three and four pupils. However, performances are open to everybody.

The university students develop all aspects of the project depending on their previous experience within a certain role. These include the set design, lighting, sound, marketing and stage management, directing and acting.

The students have the support of the lecturers and it is directed annually by Richard Cheshire, a lecturer in the Theatre, Film and Television Studies department. Richard takes the cast to Gregynog, a manor house where they work intensively within the grounds and the manor. This helps build a very strong relationship within the group and allows for the actors to enjoy the performances.

This year we have been looking carefully at the age of Mamillius and the theme of childhood in the play. The story's tragicomedy, can, at times be seen through the eyes of the boy, approximately aged seven.

School pupils are encouraged to come for a variety of reasons, including our faithful portrayal of Shakespeare's text by the company. We also believe that as some pupils struggle with the written language of Shakespeare seeing any of his plays being performed can make them more accessible.

Also, taking an interest in Shakespeare will not only help with their studies but may also help to create the next generation of theatre goers.

The project allows the University to give something back to the local community and we hope it will excite the senses in all generations in a true representation of the text but with its own individual slant on the works of Shakespeare.

For more information please visit the box office website listed to the right of this page.

Article by Rosemary Anne Mills