On Friday, a group of enthusiastic Year 10 students from St John’s, Bishop Auckland, travelled to the iconic Newcastle Theatre Royal to experience the world premiere of Weird — an electrifying, pop‑powered reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. This brand‑new musical offers a bold, modern twist on the classic tragedy, bringing Shakespeare’s dark tale to life through the eyes of the three witches.
Students were specially chosen by their English teachers for the fantastic start they have made to their GCSE English Literature course, making this trip an exciting reward for their hard work and dedication.
A Unique Insight Into GCSE Literature
The reimagined storyline gave students a fresh perspective on one of their core GCSE texts. Experiencing Macbeth through live theatre — with music, movement and striking visuals — enriched their understanding of key themes, characters and motifs. This powerful interpretation will undoubtedly support their classroom learning and spark deeper engagement with Shakespeare’s work.
A Privileged Opportunity
Weird is part of an inspiring initiative aimed at opening more pathways for young people to access live theatre and cultural experiences. St John’s was incredibly privileged to be among the first audiences in the world to see this exciting new musical — a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity for many of our students.
Thank You to Newcastle Theatre Royal
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Newcastle Theatre Royal for offering such an unforgettable experience. For several students, this was their very first time attending the theatre, making the event even more special. Opportunities like this help nurture a lifelong appreciation for the arts, creativity and live performance.
A Credit to Our School
A huge well done to all of our Year 10 students who attended. Their exemplary manners, positive attitude and excellent engagement throughout the day made us incredibly proud. They represented St John’s with maturity and enthusiasm from start to finish.