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Shakespeare for Kids: Toil and Trouble

 
Hannah Mackenzie Review by Hannah Mackenzie 4 Published: 31 Jul 2025 C ARTS | C venues | C aurora Show Dates: 30 Jul 2025-24 Aug 2025

Shakespeare is sometimes thought of as a playwright difficult to understand, appropriate only for those taking their English exams (and often quickly discarded and forgotten afterwards). Therefore, it is exciting to see a performance take interest in making Shakespeare accessible to children – even if in a very abridged and slightly sanitised manner.

This show respects both the famous texts and the intelligence of the children it’s designed for

In Shakespeare for Kids, five actors take on Britain's most famous bard in a fast-paced and highly physical performance designed explicitly for children, moving through some of Shakespeare's most iconic plays (including Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet) in a way that remains engaging throughout, enhanced by a great deal of humour and a few moments of audience participation. The actors do an excellent job of maintaining this high energy – the performance I attended had a relatively small crowd, and yet the performers remained enthusiastic throughout, which, in a comic children's show reliant on audience feedback, is a commendable feat. They also have an impressive command of the countless props brought out to enhance each scene and character they portray. In addition, the sound design is competent throughout, highlighting the comic and dramatic moments well, particularly the talented onstage pianist-narrator.

Interestingly, this production makes the bold choice to keep Shakespeare's original dialogue intact whenever performing scenes from the plays. Though this could perhaps make the show harder for young children to grasp, it respects both the famous texts and the intelligence of the children the show is designed for, allowing them to infer what is happening through the language combined with strong characterisation and mime. The performance also includes the basic facts of Shakespeare’s life and the context behind his plays.

While a true scholar of Shakespeare may raise an eyebrow at the rather slapdash treatment of the Bard's folio, this show is both an engaging and educational watch for any child – and a great way to pass an hour before lunch at the Edinburgh Fringe.

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The Blurb:

The perfect introduction to Shakespeare’s beloved characters for children and their families. Discover brave adventurers, spell-binding suspense and laughs aplenty. ‘Hidden gem’ (FringeReview.co.uk). ‘Capturing the emotional heart’ **** (List). www.ctheatre.com