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[CCBC-Net] Macbeth for children?
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From: Judith Ridge <judith.ridge>
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:20:22 +1100
2008/10/22 <cmcalist at guilford.edu>
> Has anyone else read The Mistmantle Chronicles? I can't remember the name
> of the author. I read one in a mother daughter reading group and it was a
> retelling of Macbeth with squirrels and moles etc. for characters. I just
> don't think Macbeth is a good story to retell for young children
Actually, the Bell Shakespeare company (an leading Australian theatre company) is currently staging an extremely successful production of Macbeth for children, called "Just Macbeth". It was developed in collaboration with our best-selling children's author, Andy Griffiths ("The Day My Bum Went Psycho", the "Just" series of short stories).
The play features the characters from Andy's "Just" short stories who are drawn into the world of Macbeth when they make and drink the witch's brew. I am yet to see the play myself, but I have friends who took their children
(11+) who all thought it was utterly brilliant. The murders were committed off stage, or with puppets. The Sydney Morning Herald review (link belows) says "*It is hard to conceive of a more appropriate production through which to introduce children to the theatre, let alone Shakespeare."*
Info about the production at:
http://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/
The Sydney Morning Herald review:
*http://tinyurl.com/6xbdey*<http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/arts-reviews/just-macbeth/2008/10/13/1223749910926.html>
And there's an interview with Andy here: *http://tinyurl.com/6xd7jw*
Judith
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:20:22 +1100
2008/10/22 <cmcalist at guilford.edu>
> Has anyone else read The Mistmantle Chronicles? I can't remember the name
> of the author. I read one in a mother daughter reading group and it was a
> retelling of Macbeth with squirrels and moles etc. for characters. I just
> don't think Macbeth is a good story to retell for young children
Actually, the Bell Shakespeare company (an leading Australian theatre company) is currently staging an extremely successful production of Macbeth for children, called "Just Macbeth". It was developed in collaboration with our best-selling children's author, Andy Griffiths ("The Day My Bum Went Psycho", the "Just" series of short stories).
The play features the characters from Andy's "Just" short stories who are drawn into the world of Macbeth when they make and drink the witch's brew. I am yet to see the play myself, but I have friends who took their children
(11+) who all thought it was utterly brilliant. The murders were committed off stage, or with puppets. The Sydney Morning Herald review (link belows) says "*It is hard to conceive of a more appropriate production through which to introduce children to the theatre, let alone Shakespeare."*
Info about the production at:
http://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/
The Sydney Morning Herald review:
*http://tinyurl.com/6xbdey*<http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/arts-reviews/just-macbeth/2008/10/13/1223749910926.html>
And there's an interview with Andy here: *http://tinyurl.com/6xd7jw*
Judith
-- Judith Ridge Western Sydney Young People's Literature Officer Arts and Cultural Development Blacktown City Council PO Box 63 (62 Flushcombe Road) Blacktown NSW 2148 AUSTRALIA -- My work blog: http://westword.wordpress.com/ My personal blog: http://www.misrule.com.au/s9y/ My personal website: http://www.misrule.com.auReceived on Tue 21 Oct 2008 05:20:22 PM CDT
