STUDENTS will enjoy world class drama when their York secondary school hosts the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The RSC is visiting York High School as well as York Theatre Royal in November to give its students a memorable first experience of Shakespeare with a performance of A Comedy of Errors.

York is one of seven locations chosen for the RSC’s autumn tour.

Jacqui O’Hanlon, RSC director of education, said: “Many of us have our first encounter with Shakespeare at school, an experience which can define our attitude to live theatre and to Shakespeare."

The RSC has been taking these First Encounters productions - which are edited versions of the plays performed using Shakespeare’s original language - on the road for the last decade.

Students will have a chance to get involved as each performance will feature a team of up to 20 local young people who will perform a version of one of the play’s opening speeches. Schools will also be invited to decorate parts of the set.

Directed and edited by Alex Thorpe, and primarily aimed at seven to 13-year-olds, the production will feature a gender-split cast of eight actors and actor-musicians.

It will open in October in Midlands schools and the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, before heading to other locations including Northampton, Blackpool, Kent, Hull, Bradford and Stoke.

Alex said: “This production is being built around its audience and the places we visit. The professional company of actors and actor-musicians will be joined by ensembles of young performers from across the UK”.

The RSC will perform at York High School on Wednesday, November 28, with a performance for the public at 7pm. There will also be public performances at York Theatre Royal on November 29 and 30 and 7.30pm. Contact the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01904 623568 or at www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk