Young Camden pupils tackle Shakespeare’s Hamlet at annual schools festival

Children as young as seven performed an uncensored version of one of Shakespeare’s darkest plays at an annual festival celebrating the playwright’s work.

Former MP Tessa Jowell with some of the children taking part in the Shakespeare festival. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant

Pupils at six Camden primary schools performed short sections of Hamlet in Shakespearian verse at the launch of the six-day Primary Shakespeare Festival at Haverstock School in Haverstock Hill, Chalk Farm, last week.

Schools from five other London boroughs will also perform the play. The festival’s aim is to make Shakespeare more accessible for youngsters.

Former cabinet minister Tessa Jowell, who is running for selection as Labour’s candidate at the London mayoral election in 2016, opened the Camden stage of the festival, run by the Primary Shakespeare Company.

The former Camden councillor said: “I certainly feel that growing up with Shakespeare is a birthright for every child. Thank you very much to the Primary Shakespeare Company who opened up this wonderful experience to so many children.”

The schools included St Paul’s CofE in Primrose Hill, and Kentish Town CofE.