First Encounters: The Tempest
Following the success of last year’s Romeo and Juliet, the latest in our series of First Encounters with Shakespeare productions makes Shakespeare’s play about families, magic and forgiveness relevant for a new generation of theatregoers.
This 80-minute version of The Tempest uses an edited version of the original play to create the perfect first introduction for young people aged 7-13 and their families.
This production is touring from February to May 2025.
Find your nearest venue
FOR TEACHERS
Foundation Course
Our flagship teacher training course offers three days of interactive training in Stratford-upon-Avon with RSC Practitioners.
The next course is 28 - 29 March and 4 July 2025 and will explore teaching The Tempest, Macbeth and another Shakespeare play. The course is open to all teachers and educators with all levels of experience in teaching and using rehearsal room approaches.
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INSET DAYS
"Fantastic workshop with so many useful activities, thank you for a great session that will enhance the children’s learning." - Primary Teacher in Nottingham
Book an INSET day with the RSC on teaching The Tempest for Primary, Key Stage 3, GCSE or A-level. Our INSET Days explore techniques used in our rehearsal rooms and and look at how you can use these in the classroom to bring Shakespeare to life.
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Live Lesson (2023)
You can watch our Live Lesson on The Tempest on demand, featuring cast and creatives from our 2023 production including Director Elizabeth Freestone and actors Alex Kingston (Prospero), Heledd Gwynn (Ariel) and Tommy Sim’aan (Caliban).
Watch now
Resources and activities
The Tempest opens with a storm, after which survivors of the shipwreck are marooned on an island inhabited by the powerful Magician Prospero, his daughter Miranda and his servants Ariel and Caliban.
For young people of all ages, this play is a fantastic way to explore the concepts of freedom and power as well as looking at a rnage of themes including:
- Magic
- Control
- Forgiveness
Download free resources
Shakespeare Learning Zone
Students will find many resources in our Shakespeare Learning Zone, including scene by scene analysis, activities on character relationships, in depth scene studies and PEE grids. These resources are also perfect to be used by teachers in the classroom.
