DONATE NOW

Box office  020 8940 3633

Box office020 8940 3633

Shakespeare Up Close

We are delighted to announce the return of Shakespeare Up Close to the Orange Tree Theatre!

Shakespeare Up Close is a co-production with Guildford Shakespeare Company.

Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet will tour schools in late November, before playing for a week at the OT.

What is Shakespeare Up Close?

Designed to support the curriculum at KS3 and KS4, these 80-minute abridgements tell the complete story using Shakespeare’s original text. Contemporary settings and clear, dynamic staging make the plays accessible to students at any stage of their study.  

These dynamic 80-minute abridgements: 

  • bring the plays to life for KS3 and KS4 students 
  • use Shakespeare’s original text 
  • tell the complete story, including all major characters 
  • reimagine the plays in a contemporary setting, making the themes relevant for a young audience

What have teachers said?

“A fantastic production, fizzing with tension and energy.”
“A really inspiring production, full of feeling and energy!"
"The text was wonderfully articulated by the actors. The students were completely engaged throughout – a fantastic experience!”

Dates:

  • On tour to schools: 26 November – 5 December 2025
  • At the Orange Tree Theatre: 9 – 14 December 2025:
 
Morning
Afternoon
Tuesday 9 December
10:30 Macbeth
14:00 Macbeth
Wednesday 10 December
10:30 Romeo & Juliet
14:00 Romeo & Juliet
Thursday 11 December
10:30 Macbeth
 
Friday 12 December
10:30 Romeo & Juliet
14:00 Romeo & Juliet
Sunday 14 December
(public performances)
11:00 Macbeth
14:30 Romeo & Juliet

You can: 

Book a production of either play to come to your school, 26 November – 5 December. Performances can be followed by a Q&A session, allowing further exploration of language, characters and main themes. Workshops, led by the actors, are also available on request if the schedule allows – please enquire.
 
Or
 
Bring your students to a production at the OT, 9 – 14 December. Tickets are now on sale.
 

To book, or with any further queries, email francesca.ellis@orangetreetheatre.co.uk 

Cast

A chest up headshot of an actor on a grey background. They are about 30 with short brown curly hair and brown eyes. They are wearing a black shirt under a light green jacket with a silver necklace.

Chenise Lynette

Juliet / Cast

A chest up headshot on a dark grey background. They are about 25-30 with straight, long, brown hair and brown eyes. They are wearing a white t-shirt under a red zip up jacket.

Ciara Morris

Lady Macbeth / Cast

Nadav Burstein

Macbeth / Cast

Hayden Mampasi

Romeo / Cast

Creative Team

Zoe Waterman

Director – Macbeth

Marcus Bazley

Director – Romeo & Juliet

Sophia Lovell Smith

Set and Costume Designer

Matt Eaton

Sound Designer – Romeo & Juliet

Adam McCready

Sound Designer – Macbeth

Rebecca Wilson

Fight and Movement Director

Rebecca Nye

Stage Manager

Schools

Classes