Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

Remember my Shakespeare plans and my uncertainty about the audio version?

Well, it was delightful!

We listened to our audio story that I had purchased some years ago from Shakespeare For The Ears, the “Beautiful Stories From Shakespeare” audiobook.

The story was short, simple and easy to understand.

A great overview.

Then I read the story from Shakespeare For Children: Tales From Shakespeare by Charles Lamb.

It was excellent.

It is very similar to the original style and includes famous quotations.

Even my youngest (9) understood and enjoyed the story.

Then I started to read the original play aloud …

This was just too much for them.

I saw blank looks,

frowns,

and a couple of sighs.

I plodded on a bit more,

explaining here and there …

and stopped.

A flop?

No.

Just too advanced for my middle-schoolers.

A Shakespeare play is best viewed on stage, DVD or video.

We watched the 1968 DVD version (censored the love scenes) last year and the children loved it.  (I think this is why I chose Romeo and Juliet for our first play – we were already familiar with the story)

I’ll give the original play a re-try when my kids start high school or are a little more mature.

My overall rating ~

• we really enjoyed the audio cd(5 stars)
• we really  enjoyed the Charles Lamb “Tales From Shakespeare“ version (5 stars)
• not ready for the original play (-1 star – quenched our enthusiasm)
• loved the video (4 stars – caution love scene)
• enjoy Shakespeare (priceless! 10 stars)

How have you enjoyed your Shakespeare with middle schoolers?

When are children ready for the original plays?

Blessings,