A group of five students, aged nine and ten, from Beecroft Garden Primary School, Lewisham, met HRH the Duchess of Cambridge in March as part of a special event at the Foundling Museum. The event was to celebrate the announcement of the duchess as the museum’s Royal Patron.

During the event, the duchess spent time talking to our students, who had all taken part in our 2018 Festival. In the run-up to the duchess’s arrival, the group showcased the Mechanicals scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream – where the clownish Bottom and his friends plan their forthcoming play – raising smiles from an audience of special guests.

Their teacher Hannah Henson said, “This was an amazing opportunity for our children. Before the Festival, most of the students had never even set foot in a theatre let alone performed on stage. For them to perform at such a special occasion and to meet the duchess is incredible. I am so proud of them.”

One student, who played the role of Flute, said, “I used to think Shakespeare was scary but now I’ve learnt to understand it. The thing I enjoy most is making the audience laugh. It makes me feel good.”

Following the performance, our Chief Executive Ruth Brock gave a speech explaining the work of Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation and thanking the Foundling Museum. She said, “It is an honour to be in the company of people who believe, as we do, that creativity unites. Like the Foundling Museum, we know that children are utterly inspiring and Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation is delighted to have played a small part in this special day.”

The audience of special guests also included Lauren Child (Children’s Laureate), Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Lemn Sissay, who spent time entertaining our children with some clever hat-throwing tricks.

This is the second time this group of performers from Beecroft Garden have been invited to perform at a special event. To celebrate the launch of our Impact Report earlier this year, they also performed at the Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster.

Photo credit: Foundling Museum and © Dan Weill Photography