YOUNG people from across the district will be given the chance to watch world-class drama in December, when the Royal Shakespeare Company brings a special performance to Bradford College.

The internationally-renowned RSC, based in William Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, will visit the college on Monday, December 3, to give local school children their first taste of Shakespeare.

The RSC will give a special performance of The Comedy of Errors, adapted to suit seven to 13-year-olds, in the afternoon for local school children followed by another performance in the evening open to the public.

Children from schools including Baildon C of E Primary, Low Ash Primary, Shipley C of E Primary and Titus Salt Schools, will also be involved in the performance, delivering the play’s opening speeches.

The visit is part of the RSC’s First Encounters project, which takes Shakespeare’s plays on the road to inspire a new generation of fans.

Bradford College is one of only a handful of schools nationally selected as an RSC Lead Associate School, meaning its works with local schools and theatres to immerse teachers and students in new approaches to The Bard’s work.

As part of the partnership, Bradford College works with the Alhambra theatre and schools across the district.

Julia O’Keeffe, learning co-ordinator at the Alhambra, said: “It is such a valuable experience for our young people to be involved in this production as it allows them to learn what it is to be a part of a production all working towards a goal.

“They learn lifelong skills along the way like empathy, listening, understanding, belonging and communicating.

“This show is all about being lost and finding yourself and searching for those you have lost and forgiveness, what a fantastic story to be a part of especially in our current climate.”

Susan Adams, from Baildon C of E, added: “Being involved with RSC Associate Schools programme has been an absolute joy for both pupils and teachers at Baildon C of E Primary School.

“We are thrilled to be involved in the Comedy of Errors and we relish the opportunity for our performing arts pupils to act alongside the professionals.

“Being involved in the project inspired our World Book Week to be ‘Don’t be scared of Shakespeare’ where we involved over 400 students in a variety of activities that broke down many barriers to introducing all young people to the world of William Shakespeare.

Alex Thorpe has directed and edited the play, which features eight actors and actor-musicians.

The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s most farcical comedies, and tells the story of two sets of twins who were separated at birth.

Mr Thorpe said: “My relationship with the RSC’s Education Department has seen me collaborate with and learn from teachers, artists and school groups right across the country.

“Being brought up in the North West market town of Kendal, the opportunity to take Shakespeare’s farcical comedy to locations that feel like home is the perfect way to share one of Shakespeare’s earliest works.”

The schools performance will take place at 1.30pm, with the public performance starting at 6.30pm in the David Hockney Building.

Tickets for the public show cost £5, and can be bought by visiting pay.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/public-events