John Masefield High and Julius Caesar at The Courtyard

SHAKESPEARE was "not of an age but for all time" said his great friend and rival, Ben Jonson; but the Shakespeare Schools Festival at The Courtyard revealed how the bard is certainly for all age groups too.

It was humbling to see how local schoolchildren responded to the huge challenge of paring-down classic Shakespeare plays to just 30 minutes each.

Mime, dance and inspired contemporary touches led to a lively and touching presentation from Westfield School. Instead of Juliet shouting to Romeo from a balcony, she used her mobile phone to communicate with her suitor.

Malvern St James revealed a wide breadth of abilities for their production of the comedy, "Twelfth Night." A cello and violin was played live on stage, adding a certain gravitas; but the overall atmosphere was, deliberately, that of a cross-dressing pantomime, replete with Christmas songs and tinsel.

Grace Clifford was a confident and animated Viola, and Emma Jennings was a triumph as a boisterous and impulsive Orsino.

The offering from the John Masefield High School was "Julius Caesar", and it was a marvel of minimalist contemporary sets, significant lighting and innovative choreography.

This is not to detract from the acting performances, which were frequently impassioned and accomplished.

Special praise must go to Lizzie Austen, as Mark Anthony, who struck the perfect balance between necessary emotional control, after Caesar's murder, and the expression of personal anger and grief.

Ella Bevan, as Brutus, also conveyed the dignity, convictions, and inner sadness of the "noblest Roman of them all", who became an assassin for that most selfless, and nebulous, of reasons: the good of the state.

Every corner of the stage was frequently animated, with each figure moving in a slow, tense, balletic choreography This was truly a stroke of genius.

The directors of "Julius Caesar", Keira Carnie and Stephanie Underwood-Webb, are to be congratulated for this.

Gary Bills-Geddes.