THE Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will be visiting Launceston College this week with its First Encounters with Shakespeare production of Julius Caesar.

For over a decade the RSC has been giving young people an introduction to the work of Shakespeare through its First Encounters touring shows.

This year, as part of its tour, the company is bringing a new abridged production of Julius Caesar to Cornwall.

Directed and edited by Marieke Audsley, and aimed at seven to 13-year-olds, pupils at Launceston College and Treviglas College have been actively involved in the show before it reaches them rehearsing their roles as the Citizens of Rome.

They have been invited to prepare the opening celebrations for Caesar’s return from war, which they will perform at the beginning of performances.

Marieke Audsley said: “School is often the place where we first encounter Shakespeare. The RSC’s Education department is com­­m­it­­­ted to making that experience as vivid, accessible and enjoyable as possible, and I am delighted to be working with them by directing this production.

“Giving first time audiences the chance to work on the play before seeing it live can make a huge difference. The RSC’s First Encounters’ productions take this a stage further by getting audiences actively involved: young people across the country are currently getting ready to rehearse scenes from the play in preparation for their roles as the citizens of Rome, and weighing up the pros and cons of Julius Caesar as a leader.

“They will also make props for the production, including a ‘phalera’, a big wooden disc representing their school or region, which will be added to the set.

“That feels a brilliant way to learn about the play and about the relevance of theatre in our lives.”

Jacqui O’Hanlon, RSC director of education, said: “Shakespeare’s plays always shine a brilliant light on the world we live in today. Touring a production of Julius Caesar made for young people and first-time audiences feels particularly exciting because the play asks big questions about democracy, about the power of language, and about the rights and wrongs of any group of people taking power into their own hands by force.

“Listen to a group of ten year olds discussing the rights and wrongs of the assassination of Julius Caesar and you find out a lot more than just the story of the play. In the hands of young people, Shakespeare acquires a new resonance and generates a thirst for learning that can last for life.”

Performances take place at Launceston College on Friday, February 9, 1pm (schools’ performance) and 7pm (public performance). Tickets available from the college, 01566 772468.