Designed to introduce Shakespeare, this delightfully buoyant play may be acted by performers of any age. The action begins with a group of children playing. Sandy is reading a book—and enjoying it. Somebody asks, "What are you doing?" She answers: "I'm in the midst of a fog and surrounded by witches." And soon the conversation segues into scenes from Macbeth and 4 other Shakespearean plays: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Henry IV Part 1 (with Falstaff), and The Taming of the Shrew.

William's Window may be produced by elementary or junior high students for their peers. It may also be performed by high school students or adult groups for touring to elementary and junior high schools. The Berkeley Preparatory School used the entire fourth grade class of 44 students on stage. A much smaller cast may be used by double casting performers in several roles. Many parts may be played by men or women.

The script was an outgrowth of the eagerness of the author's fourth graders at the Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida, to know about Shakespeare's "stories." "The selection of scenes was the result of their direct requests," Marina Stockdale said. "Unfortunately, production time did not permit the inclusion of all the scenes that our students enjoyed."

Meeting Shakespeare's language in small portions, young people—those in the audience as well as those on stage—have little difficulty in accepting and understanding the lines. And introducing Elizabethan language and characters at an early age helps students handle the various types of unfamiliar language and historical figures they will meet in world literature as their education progresses.

The Berkeley School production used Elizabethan music, songs, and dances as transitions between the scenes. Directors who want to follow this procedure will find suggestions for music in the Production Notes at the end of the playscript. Scenes may be omitted to reduce playing time.

One act; Simple set and costumes.

"This 'introduction to Shakespeare's Plays' is intended for middle and upper elementary for their own performance or to be done by older cast members for them...The children who introduce and bridge the scenes are interesting and help the audience identify with the material." —Judge's comment, CTAA Distinguished Play Award. "Our seventh grade had an enjoyable and successful experience with William's Window. We were pleased to find that your catalogue descriptions were accurate assessments of your plays."—Ralph Hancewicz, Hampshire Regional High School, Westhampton, Mass. "Our production was very successful, and well received. I continue to enjoy working with scripts which I have purchased from you."—David F. Bower, Belen, N. Mexico, High School.

Another by Stockdale: Aubrey the Snowflake

See also: Elementary/Jr. High