Oxford Playhouse Brings Interactive MakeBeth Tour to Over 1,000 Oxfordshire Schoolchildren
Over the course of the academic term, the Oxford Playhouse engaged more than 1,000 pupils across the county through its creative education initiatives. The theatre’s recent outreach project brought a dynamic, accessible rendition of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy directly to local classrooms, blending performance with hands-on learning.
Bringing Shakespeare to Life for Key Stage 2 Pupils
Delivered completely free of charge to nine state primary schools across Oxfordshire, the MakeBeth production offered a fresh take on Macbeth designed specifically for Years 3 to 6. Rather than sitting back as passive observers, pupils actively participated in the storytelling alongside three professional actors. Young audiences helped concoct ingredients for the witches' brew and stepped in to become the marching trees of Birnam Wood, turning a dark theatrical tragedy into an imaginative and approachable experience.
The tour reached multiple classes at various institutions throughout the county, including Bayards Hill School, The Batt CE Primary School, Botley School, Orchard Meadow Primary School, St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Chipping Norton, St Michael’s CE Primary School, Thameside Primary School, and Tyndale Community School.
Creative Design and Sustainable Theatre
Written by former Shakespeare’s Globe writer-in-residence Hannah Khalil, directed by Ian Nicholson, and designed by Sam Wilde, the production emphasizes both theatrical craft and environmental responsibility. True to Cardboard Adventures' signature style, all sets and props were crafted entirely from recycled cardboard, utilizing surplus materials sourced directly from backstage areas at the Oxford Playhouse.
Presented as part of the broader Oxford Playhouse Plays Out programme, the tour was developed in partnership with Cardboard Adventures, Shakespeare’s Globe, Chichester Festival Theatre, and Leeds Playhouse. Generous financial backing from local and charitable foundations—including St John’s College Oxford, The Lucy Group, the MacFarlane Family Foundation, and several other trusts—helped make the widespread county visits possible.
To discover more cultural events and local productions happening across the area, explore upcoming schedules on Musemap, check out the latest what's on exhibitions, or browse the full directory of local museums and venues.
