Review: Shakespeare's Schoolroom Live

Image credit: Tell Tale Presents

Historical storytellers Tell Tale Present teamed up with Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall to bring audiences a live and interactive museum tour at Edfringe 2021. Live-streamed from the historic building where Shakespeare himself attended school, this Zoom-based show successfully recreates the experience of an in-person tour, exploiting multiple camera angles to create an engaging piece of family-friendly, interactive theatre.

The set-up is simple: Tudor schoolmaster “Magister Jenkins” (played by the impressively knowledgeable Taresh Solanki) is aided by his cheeky sidekick, “Puck” (the endearingly silly Emma Sian Cooper), as they guide viewers through the museum, exploring curiosities large and small, from the wax tablets boys used to write their lessons, to the master’s chamber, decorated with previously hidden wall paintings. Along the way, virtual visitors are treated to oodles of fascinating trivia from Jenkins, whose inexhaustible knowledge covers everything from Tudor teaching methods to the origins of graffiti carved by students from centuries ago. Meanwhile, Puck provides welcome light relief, revelling in playing pranks when the schoolmaster’s back is turned.

Far from feeling like an inadequate alternative to the “real thing”, the overall tour feels cohesive and is well-timed. The expected “show-and-tell” segments are interwoven with interactive portions, in the form of playful pop quizzes — just be sure to brush up on your Latin conjugation skills beforehand!

No, an online museum tour is not going to move you to tears— let’s face it, few do— but Tell Tale Present have done an admirable job in translating the experience to the screen in such a way that the entire family can remain entertained throughout. As such, it’s a winning example of how digital theatre can enrich education.

Shakespeare’s Schoolroom Live was available online as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2021.