Meet the Victorian actress Mrs Merryweather. She has been inspired, by John William Waterhouse’s painting of ‘The Lady of Shalott’, to look again at the famous poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson and she will ask your class for help to put this tragic tale on the stage.

Using the children as her actors, with costume, set, props and sound effects, Mrs Merryweather will bring to life the story of the Lady of Shallot, who is forever cursed and unable to look through the window of her lonely castle tower.

By engaging with the poem in dramatic form, the children will become familiar with the plot, historical context, Arthurian legend, poetic language, character, rhythm, sound and dramatic tension, while at the same time having fun creating a live performance.