Witches, ghosts, fairies, wizards.
Four hundred years ago, the English writer William Shakespeare was creating fantasy characters that are still popular today.
And kids have a chance to be these characters at two free events this month at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Southeast Washington. The first event is a family program Saturday about acting and spooky characters. The second is the library's yearly trick-or-treat party on October 31.
"I want to know more about those witches" in "Macbeth," said Henry Merrill, 9, of Takoma Park, Maryland. He and his sister Rosalind, 6, have signed up for Saturday's program, which is called "Something Wicked This Way Comes."
“We’ll be learning to use our voices in different ways, just like the actors in Shakespeare’s time,” said Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger, the manager of the library’s visitor education programs. Actors can make their voices sound shy or bored or scary, she said.
The Folger has a family program the first Saturday of every month, usually tied to a holiday or a play at its theater. Attendees learn about Shakespeare and such famous plays as "Hamlet" and "The Taming of the Shrew." Sometimes they make crafts and have garden parties.
The play "Julius Caesar," about the Roman emperor, will be the subject on November 1, with a look at Shakespeare and Christmas on December 6. (The programs are free but require advance registration.)
“I really like Shakespeare’s language,” said Henry, who has seen several plays. “My favorite word is ‘hath.’” Henry and Rosalind are even named for Shakespeare characters!
On Halloween, kids and parents can stop by the Folger for treats, with special goodies for those dressed as Shakespeare characters.
“We had lots of small fairies and knights last year,” said Peggy O’Brien, director of education. “Shakespeare offers lots of possibilities: kings and queens, witches and ghosts,” even fools, dogs and donkeys.
Shakespeare would surely approve of the fun. Although trick-or-treating as we know it didn’t exist when he was a boy, there were certain days when people could dress up and ask for treats, Lloyd-Stanger said. In fact, Hallowe’en (short for All Hallows’ Evening) was the night before an important religious day, called All Saints’ Day or Hallowmas.
Shakespeare even mentions Hallowmas in "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." In this funny play, a girl dresses as a boy and the hero pretends to be an outlaw — all of which fits with Halloween's emphasis on costumes and secret identities, if just for one night.
— Mary QuattlebaumIf you go
The Folger Shakespeare Library, at 201 East Capitol Street SE, offers free programs for kids. Check out these two upcoming events.
What: "Something Wicked This Way Comes."
Share this articleShareWhen: Saturday at 10 a.m.
How old: Best for ages 6 to 12; children and parents attend together.
Tickets: Registration required. Parents should call 202-675-0395 or go to www.folger.edu.
What: Trick-or-treating. All costumes welcome, but special treats will go to those dressed as a Shakespeare character.
When: October 31, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
For more information: A parent can go to www.folger.edu.
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