THOUSANDS of schoolchildren - including 90 from York’s Tang Hall Primary School - are seeing Shakespeare brought to life during free visits to Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre in York

The Rose Bursary Scheme, funded by charitable foundations and private benefactors, has paid for about 3,000 free tickets for schools groups who might otherwise have been unable to attend.

Tang Hall Primary School in York is one of 50 schools to have taken a group to watch a production under the bursary scheme, with others coming from as far afield as Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, Doncaster, Newcastle, Sunderland, Whitby.

There have also been nine designated morning schools performances and discounted schools tickets which have sold out.

James Cundall, chief executive of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and creator of this summer’s pop-up theatre near Clifford’s Tower, said: “Seeing a Shakespeare play live in the environment that it was intended for is a unique experience which, I believe, brings it to life in a way that can’t be achieved by hearing or reading the play in a classroom.

“Watching 800 children engrossed in Macbeth was a joyful experience, which further enhanced my view that there is no substitute for live entertainment.”

Tang Hall pupil Sairah Cheddie said: “The show was amazing and I loved the expressions from the characters. My favourite character was Puck!”

Reception class teacher Gemma Tinker said the children thoroughly enjoyed the performance. “They were enthralled and enchanted by the portrayal of the story,” she said.

“They have not stopped talking about the performance since we returned to school with many wanting to revisit the Rose Theatre.”