Chris Harris inspires a new generation of Thespians in Bath (From Gazette Series)

Chris Harris inspires a new generation of Thespians in Bath

5:15pm Monday 20th February 2012 in Leisure By Alexandra Womack

Shakes Kids with Chris Harris at the egg, Theatre Royal Bath

IT was my mum who indoctrinated me into the theatre. And as a drama, English and history teacher, she used her passion for the arts and bringing the past to life to inspire not just me but hundreds of children in Somerset to pursue a life-long love affair with the arts.

They say many people were inspired by their teacher and certainly the same can be said for those under the leadership of Chris Harris.

Self-confessed Shakespeare aficionado, Chris has no doubt given rise to many-a-Thespian intent on stage stardom some day.

The legendary South West performer, playright and creator, known by Theatre Royal audiences for his annual appearance as on over-the-top dame in self-scripted pantomimes, proved his years of performing Hamlet, King Lear, the ‘unmentionable’ Macbeth and Shakespeare’s plethora of comic jesters and clowns had not gone without his own analysis of this country’s most famous of writers.

In the intimate but wonderfully-child friendly confines of the Egg, Chris brought his love of Shakespeare to children. Missing his own anecdotal tales, both from performing the comedies, tragedies and history plays Shakespeare is renowned for, with his own childhood memories, he managed to make the medieval language of the Stratford scriptor accessible for this young age group.

Using a variety of props, from a magic, never-emptying water jug to a lion’s mask and musical instruments, Chris’ experience was worth its weight in gold with youngsters more than willing to learn live on stage and have a go at showing off their Thespian knowledge.

Even the challenge of explaining iambic pentameters was not beyond him in this impressive display of an actor in his element.

Shakes Kids was part of the Theatre Royal’s Shakespeare Unplugged Festival. It runs until March 4 in the Ustinov and the egg theatre at the Theatre Royal Bath. Tickets are available from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01225 448844 or the egg theatre on 01225 823 409.