Spotlight on the Stage

Suitable for: Teenagers (Key stage 4), Teachers

This fact book provides a history of theatre from its beginnings in Ancient Greece to modern day West End sell-out stage productions. The audio soundtrack includes a host of great British actor including Read by Derek Jacobi, Emilia Fox, Simon Callow, Michael Sheen, Frances de la Tour, Maxine Peake, Tamsin Greig. Topics covered include Shakespeare and The Globe; Jacobean, Elizabethan and Restoration theatre; the best in contemporary theatre and musicals. There are also 3 actors’ workshops looking at the way staging, sets, costumes and props can enhance a performance. There are also practical tracks for aspiring actors, with information about how to embark on a career in the theatre and the backstage jobs which are available. This fact book may support subjects in the National Curriculum and is great as an educational resource in class, home-schooling, homework-help, project work and independent learning.

Listen to an audio clip

The word 'drama' comes from the Greek word for "action". And instead of being themselves singing and dancing, the performers pretended to be other people they became 'actors'. There would usually be three actors who would wear masks to signify the character they were playing and often take several roles. They were joined by The Chorus, twelve men who sang and danced between scenes. They were very important, not only in providing an element of fun and spectacle a bit like the ensemble cast in a West End musical but also, crucially, to provide the perspective of the community on the action. Their constant interaction with the actors was a way of commenting on the issues being raised in the play.

What's inside

A collection of raised tactile pictures.
Audio descriptions with music and sound effects in your chosen format of either CD or USB.
An Activity Pack, with contents list, suggestions for fun things to do and more.
A picture scrapbook – large print colour image pack.
An ‘Articles for the Blind’ returns label for the free and convenient return of the box.

Touch to see image list

The amphitheatre at Delphi
Shakespeare, Flower Portrait
An actress at her toilet by John Collett
Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in Waiting for Godot
War Horse – a scene from the play
Wicked – a scene from the musical
David Tennant as Hamlet
Juliet Stephenson in Happy Days
Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in Frankenstein, directed by Danny Boyle