Year Eight pupils at William Parker School in Ashby Road presented their interpretation of act one, scene five from Hamlet yesterday (Wednesday) as part of the RSC’s Regional Schools Celebration.

The scene explores the moment when Prince Hamlet speaks to the ghost of his dead father, the King, learning that his uncle murdered him to gain the seat of Denmark.

Teacher Michelle Thresher said the presentation was the culmination of six months’ hard work by the nine pupils.

She said: “Through the rehearsal process I have been impressed with the way in which these students have embraced the method of ensemble acting, adapted from strategies by the Royal Shakespeare Company to take ownership of their scenes and work collaboratively to explore Shakespeare’s language.

“Next year we are hoping to launch a full school production of a Shakespeare play.”

As the scene only has two speaking parts, students have incorporated games into the action to explore tension.

All of the schools taking part in the event are in a long-term partnership with the RSC as part of its Learning and Performance Network.

A total of 253 children will be involved, aged from six to 17, with each school performing a different play.

The celebration will be hosted by Ann Ogbomo, who played several roles in the RSC’s Histories Season.

Jacqui O’Hanlon, the RSC’s director of education, said: “All the schools attending the celebration are part of our Learning and Performance Network, a programme which enables us to work in long-term partnership with primary and secondary schools.

“All the schools have performed in regional festivities in their own areas and are bringing with them the stories of how their local communities have been inspired by Shakespeare.

“The Regional Schools Competition really brings our Stand up for Shakespeare manifesto to life, with our youngest performers, aged six, showing there is no age limit to enjoying Shakespeare.”