February Half Term Fun!

On Monday 19 February, Kate’s Storytree will be taking root at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall and Stratford Library when children of all ages are invited to join her and let their creativity grow wild in an immersive Shakespearean storytelling session. Families have a choice of two sessions in this free half term event, with the first taking place at 10:30am and a second event at 2:00pm.

Utilising everything from wooden building blocks to colourful fabrics, Kate intends to build her story as she tells it, transporting the children magically back in time to Shakespeare's Stratford. With a little help from her host of colourful props, she’ll explore each twist and turn of the playwright’s boyhood along the way.

Kate of Kate’s Storytree says, “It is said that we all have a story inside us. I wonder ... what if we could make and shape and hold that story in our hands?  Like Shakespeare's stories of The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream, we will be creating our own magic by making Story Jars. It's simple really. All you need is you and your story. We will provide all the materials you need to help capture your story in a jar and then it is yours to hold and carry home.”

Sarah Jervis-Hill of Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall says, “Kate’s bright, fun and lively tales are a wonderful way to inspire creative thinking and ideas, and she will captivate the whole family with her story of young William Shakespeare.”

The morning session (10:30-12:15) will commence at Stratford Library, from which the children will take a winter’s walk on to the Guildhall – enjoying the chance to retrace the footsteps of the Bard himself. Tickets are FREE, but must be booked via eventbrite. The second session (2:00-3:30) will take place in young William’s former schoolroom, for which there is no need to book.  All materials are provided free of charge and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall is open daily from 11.00am during February Half Term.  Interactive exhibits, a film screening about the story of this fascinating building, a dressing up box Tudor-style and the fun and drama of a Tudor lesson with Master Thomas Jenkins, our Tudor School Master, all make for an unforgettable visit.  At the heart of the experience there is the story of young William Shakespeare; where he went to school and what his schooldays would have been like.  

Stratford-upon-Avon Library is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 3:30pm.  For further information visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordlibrary