The Ugly Shakespeare Company has a proven record in New Zealand schools, providing consistently high quality live theatre performances since 1996. The company began with only 72 schools on the list and since then our success and the demand for our visits have extended our audience reach to over 120 schools nationwide on an annual basis. This growth is a combination of our ability to actually engage with the teens themselves as well as our determination to continue with what we believe – that is to make professional, live theatre accessible to youth.
The company has completed sixteen NATIONAL TOURS and TWO OUTDOOR SUMMER SHAKESPEARE EVENTS in the last sixteen years.
The Ugly Shakespeare Company has a unique approach to both Shakespeare and live performance. We are strong believers in getting amongst the students and relating to them on a level that is both contemporary and non-patronising. Our success lies in our ability to utilise teen culture within our shows. This includes using current teen vernacular, references to film, TV or music that is relevant, as well as adapting the show on the road to fit changing trends.
Examples of this are:
Involving the audience onstage through participation
Writing songs based on current new releases. The lyrics are rewritten to fit the play.
Keeping the shows to a viewable length – usually 45 – 50 minutes.
High level of physical comedy – not too wordy.
High levels of improvisation from the cast as they relate to the audience
Reference to and spoof of modern TV programmes and films.
The high rebook rate we have is directly related to the fact that our shows successfully achieve the above. Teens are the hardest audiences to work with – if they do not like you they will let you know. The fact that we reach these students NATIONWIDE and from different socio – economic backgrounds reinforces our success.
The company has completed sixteen NATIONAL TOURS and TWO OUTDOOR SUMMER SHAKESPEARE EVENTS in the last sixteen years.
The Ugly Shakespeare Company has a unique approach to both Shakespeare and live performance. We are strong believers in getting amongst the students and relating to them on a level that is both contemporary and non-patronising. Our success lies in our ability to utilise teen culture within our shows. This includes using current teen vernacular, references to film, TV or music that is relevant, as well as adapting the show on the road to fit changing trends.
Examples of this are:
Involving the audience onstage through participation
Writing songs based on current new releases. The lyrics are rewritten to fit the play.
Keeping the shows to a viewable length – usually 45 – 50 minutes.
High level of physical comedy – not too wordy.
High levels of improvisation from the cast as they relate to the audience
Reference to and spoof of modern TV programmes and films.
The high rebook rate we have is directly related to the fact that our shows successfully achieve the above. Teens are the hardest audiences to work with – if they do not like you they will let you know. The fact that we reach these students NATIONWIDE and from different socio – economic backgrounds reinforces our success.
Principal sponsor since 2009
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