Halloween is going to feel a little different this year, no question. But even if the art of Trick or Treating might be suspended this October, there are still ways to bring Shakespeare and Halloween together!
One idea would be to have a spooky virtual reading of the Bard’s works.
Bring together family and friends to enjoy a selection of chilling moments ― think about the Three Witches scene from Macbeth or Hamlet encountering his father’s ghost. The set design can be as extravagant or as minimalist as you like: For example, you may want to hang a curtain and shine a light behind it, casting eerie shadows in the background as the children perform. Or you could simply light some candles and place a Jack-o-Lantern in the frame to add some low-key atmosphere.
And as for costumes, dressing all in basic black provides the appropriate dramatic touch.
For those of us who prefer to dress with a little more pizzaz, you could invite the children to participate in a virtual costume contest ― with a twist! In the days leading up to Halloween, ask your group of young actors to design and sketch costumes for their favourite Shakespearean characters ― Romeo and Juliet, Puck, Miranda, anyone. You can share the designs on the screen at the virtual reading, and be sure to give everyone a unique prize. (This is a great option for those children who might be reluctant to participate in the online performance itself.)
Halloween is the most theatrical of holidays, and so much of it is associated with face-to-face fun (and scares!). But moving those thrills onto a virtual context adds still another otherworldly quality to Shakespeare’s works ― still uncanny, and still safe.
©2020