“The cloud capped towers, the gorgeous palace, the solemn temples, the great globe itself.... are such stuff that dreams are made of.” (Apologies to Shakespeare). 

One of the most exciting outings that Year 6 undertake is their visit to the Houses of Parliament and the Globe Theatre, and in 2007, as time allowed, we also included a brief visit to the Tate Modern Gallery.  We were not disappointed – it was a thrilling and enriching experience! 

The girls were enthralled by the rich red and golds of the House of Lords, the glorious Queen’s throne, the woolsack, the central lobby where many a TV presenter has stood, the greens of the House of Common, the famous dispatch boxes, the sword lines, the Speaker’s chair (with its mysterious secrets!) the lobbies, the ancient Westminster Hall with its macabre and  fascinating history – the list is endless!  Then we sped across the river to the Tate Modern, munching our picnic lunches, where we enjoyed some of the marvellous spectacles of paintings and models on several floors, making sketches, observing detail of such pictures as Monet’s ‘Waterlilies’, Picasso’s ‘Three Maidens’ or Rodin’s ‘The Kiss’.  There was even a tunnel slide – yet another ‘artistic experience’.   

Then, on to The Globe Theatre and the Shakespeare Exhibition where we observed  wonderful costume displays, miniature models of Shakespeare’s London, listened to recording of actors speaking lines from some Shakespeare’s plays, explored a Tirehouse, took part in interactive activities or watched a film of a young man being dressed as a woman, true to Shakespearean fashion.  Finally, it was time for a workshop!  Split into two groups the girls were cajoled, inspired, challenged with exciting dramatic scenarios, sometimes leaping about, sometimes crawling on the floor, always intent and alert as they were guided by an actor from The Globe.  The icing on the cake was a chance to tread the boards of the stage itself.  The excitement when three girls finally stood on the Globe stage itself was almost tangible and they were transformed into characters from a Midsummer Night’s Dream.   

“Our revels now ended”, tired but richly fulfilled, we returned to The Manor full of ideas and inspiration to further our studies at school and dream of the future. 

Catherine Webber