The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) invites families and young people to dive into a thrilling world of theatre, creativity and spooky fun this October half term in Stratford-upon-Avon. From Monday 27 to Friday 31 October, join us for a week of interactive workshops, storytelling, murder mystery and spine-tingling special effects inspired by Macbeth which plays at The Other Place from Thursday 9 October. Our touring production, First Encounters: King Lear, is also running in the Swan Theatre throughout the week.  

Murder Mystery: Death Comes to Dunsinane Castle 
Take part in a fun, child-friendly murder mystery that takes place at Dunsinane Castle, inspired by the story of Macbeth. Attendees will chase the clues and solve the riddles to work out what happened and ‘whodunnit’.  

Friday 31 October - 11am to 3pm, Welcome Space, PACCAR Room, Level 2 of RST  
Suitable for ages 5+, Family workshop, Free - booking required 

Book your space here
 

Blood, Guts and Gore 
Explore the fascinating, and occasionally grim, techniques behind RSC’s special effects, wigs, costumes, make-up, and more.  

Friday 31 October - 10am to 11am & 12pm to 1pm, Clore Learning Centre 
Suitable for ages 6 to 11, Family workshop, £4 Child / £5 Adult 

Book your ticket here for 10am and here for 12pm.  
 

Even MORE Blood, Guts and Gore 
Perfect for those who are a little older and are seeking an extra dose of theatrical gore and behind-the-scenes magic.  

Friday 31 October - 2pm to 3pm, Clore Learning Centre 
Suitable for ages 12+, Family workshop, £4 Child / £5 Adult  

Book your ticket here 
 

Family Storytelling: Macbeth 
An engaging, bite-size drama session that brings Macbeth to life through storytelling, games, and drama exercises. 

Tuesday 28 October at 10am & 11:30am, Wednesday 29 October at 10am & 11:30am, Clore Learning Centre 
Suitable for ages 4 - 8, Family workshop, £4 Child / £5 Adult 

Book your tickets here
 

Stay and Play: Macbeth  
Drop in and explore the story of the witches in Macbeth in this interactive stay and play session in which children can discover sensory textures and play with props. Halloween fancy dress is encouraged for this session.  

Wednesday 29 October - 10am to 2pm, Welcome Space, PACCAR Room, Level 2 of RST 
Suitable for ages 0 - 4, Family workshop, Free, no booking required 
 

Drop-in: Creative Writing  
Improve your creative writing at this session by helping us create a new murder mystery ‘Death in Dunsinane Castle’. Using props and short excerpts from Shakespeare's Macbeth as inspiration, this workshop brings imagination to the forefront as you experiment by rewriting scenes and even the plot itself.  

Thursday 30 October - 12pm to 4pm, Welcome Space 
Suitable for ages 5+, Family workshop, Free, no booking required 

Workshops for Young People  

These workshops are tailored for aspiring young theatre makers who want to act, write, or master stage combat.  

Ages 8–11 
Act Shakespeare Masterclass: Macbeth - Monday 27 October, 10:30am to 3:30pm 
Stage Combat - Thursday 30 October, 10am to 11:30am 
Find out more and book here
 

Ages 11–14 
Act Shakespeare Masterclass: Macbeth - Tuesday 28 October, 10:30am to 3:30pm  
Stage Combat - Thursday 30 October, 12pm to 1:30pm  
Find out more and book here
 

Ages 14–18 
Act Shakespeare Masterclass: Macbeth - Wedsday 29 October, 10:30am to 3:30pm 
Stage Combat - Thursday 30 October, 2:30pm to 4pm 
Find out more and book here
 

Find out more about all the RSC's half term activities and book your tickets here.