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Welcome to the National Theatre Collection for Primary Schools.
On this page you’ll find a curated selection of productions that are suitable for use with primary school children or those with an equivalent learning age. All films and resources are free for UK state funded primary schools.
For suggestions on age and subject suitability and how the productions can be used across the curriculum, please see individual show pages.
Age Recommendation: 3+
A Unicorn Theatre and Illuminations Production
People say that in a time long, long ago, animals walked on two feet and spoke with words, like we do. And back then it was known by everyone that the cleverest of all the animals in the kingdom was a spider – the infamous Anansi – the original trickster and the master spinner of yarns.
Classic West African and Caribbean tales about the spider hoaxster are brought vividly to life.
Age Recommendation: 3+
Recording from the National Theatre Archive, 2015.
Bear's hat is gone. He loves his hat. He wants it back. He asks all the animals in the forest, but no one has seen it. WAIT! He has seen it somewhere...
Jon Klassen’s much-loved picture book is brought to life onstage in a production which is a perfect introduction to theatre for younger children.
Age Recommendation: 7-11 years
Story Seekers... We need your help! In the year 2020 the world changed. The pandemic swept across the planet and everything locked down. People forgot how to dream. They forgot how to create. Join Story Seeker Command on their mission to reconnect people and communities through the telling and sharing of stories from across the globe.
Story Seekers is a digital oracy project created by the National Theatre and the Unicorn Theatre. Led by class teachers, the project provides everything you need to guide your class through this exciting and engaging learning experience.
Age Recommendation: 7+
A Unicorn Theatre and TEA Films Production
Why do we still retell Greek myths? What relevance do they have today?
Why are they still important to the modern western world?
This series of three new short plays by some of the UK’s most exciting writers have been creatively filmed and edited to bring theatre to life online for children. The films reinvent and reimagine the original myths enabling pupils to explore the resonances of Greek Myths to today’s world anew.
Age Recommendation: 6+
The Unicorn Theatre, in collaboration with the Roald Dahl Story Company, present a new theatrical reading of the classic Roald Dahl tale, The Magic Finger, starring Corinna Brown. Come along for the ride as we follow the Gregg family who go out in search of animals to hunt; however, the girl next door is not happy with this, and decides to set the Magic Finger on them all...
Age Recommendation: 7+
Recorded through National Theatre Live on 10th June, 2017 as a co-production with Bristol Old Vic Theatre.
All children grow up, except one.
A delight for children and adults alike, Sally Cookson directs this wondrously inventive devised production of JM Barrie's classic.
Age Recommendation: 8+
A Unicorn Theatre and Illuminations Production
The Unicorn Theatre presents a deliciously gruesome selection of theatrical readings from Grimm Tales, re-told for the whole family by an extraordinary cast.
Age Recommendation: 9+
Recorded through National Theatre Live on 22nd January, 2015.
It's a dark and stormy night. The stars are out. Jim, the inn-keeper's granddaughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor's feet sits a huge sea-chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in – and her dangerous voyage begins.
Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure of mutiny, money and murder is brought to life on the Olivier stage in a thrilling new adaptation by Bryony Lavery and directed by Polly Findlay.
Age Recommendation: 8+
Originally staged as part of the National Theatre’s Shakespeare for younger audiences programme. This archival recording was captured in 2017.
A swift, contemporary celebration of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Bijan Sheibani’s thrilling production brings Romeo and Juliet to life for a new generation.
Age Recommendation: 8+
Originally staged as part of the National Theatre’s Shakespeare for younger audiences programme. This archival recording was captured in 2018.
This exciting new version of The Winter's Tale is the perfect introduction to Shakespeare: using colour, song and puppetry to tell this magical tale.
Age Recommendation: 8+
This National Theatre Production was filmed for the National Theatre Archive in November 2022.
Hamlet’s dad is dead. His uncle has taken over the kingdom and married Hamlet’s mum. The whole world feels like it’s turned upside down.
This energetic and engaging school production retells Shakespeare’s tragedy.
Age Recommendation: 12+
This National Theatre Production was filmed through NTAH in January 2023.
Deep in the wood, a lonely fairy longs for someone to bless.
Rufus Norris directs this vividly original retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale with music by Jim Fortune, book by Tanya Ronder, designs by Katrina Lindsay and choreography by Jade Hackett.
Age Recommendation: 12+
Charlotte Brontë’s novel comes to life in this inventive adaptation, devised by the company.
Recorded through National Theatre Live on 8th December, 2015 as a co-production with the Bristol Old Vic.
Born into a life of struggle, the spirited Jane Eyre tackles life's obstacles head-on as she seeks to pursue her own path in the world. Faced with poverty, injustice and a bitter betrayal, the trailblazing Jane follows her heart to fight for freedom and fulfilment terms.
Devised by the Company, Sally Cookson's adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's masterpiece is a vivid and breathtaking spectacle.
Age Recommendation: 12+
This Wise Children Production was filmed at the Bristol Old Vic in 2022.
Rescued from the Liverpool docks as a child, Heathcliff is adopted by the Earnshaws and taken to live at Wuthering Heights. In their daughter Catherine, Heathcliff finds a kindred spirit and a fierce love ignites. But, when forced apart, a brutal chain of events is unleashed.
Shot through with music and dance, Emma Rice (Bagdad Cafe, Wise Children, Brief Encounter) transforms Emily Brontë’s masterpiece into a passionate, powerful and uniquely theatrical experience.
Age Recommendation: 11+
This archive recording was captured on 9th May, 2017.
A new musical inspired by Lewis Carroll’s iconic story, wonder.land is a coming-of-age adventure that explores the blurred boundaries between our online and offline lives. Combining live theatre and digital technology in dazzling new ways, wonder.land is brought to life on stage by an extraordinary creative team.
With stunning sets, costumes, video projection and lighting, and a score by Blur’s Damon Albarn, this is a musical like no other: an Alice for the online generation.
*Please note: parts of these productions are not suitable for younger children and teachers should watch them in full in advance of sharing them with their pupils.
You can find more resources for schools and teachers on the National Theatre’s Learning Hub. Search by key stage, subject, theatrical style or practitioner and discover an ever-growing library of short films, learning packs and digital exhibitions.
Find out more: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learn-explore/schools/teacher-resources
The National Theatre’s mission is to make world class theatre that is entertaining, challenging and inspiring – and we make it for everyone. The National Theatre Collection for primary schools is available free of charge to state-funded primary schools in the UK. We have selected our most exciting National Theatre productions for young people, specifically in primary school or equivalent aged, as well as bringing you productions from leading young people’s theatres in the UK. Teachers can also make use of the expanding bank of learning resources provided by the National Theatre, for usage in the classroom, to help the children dive deeper into the productions.
Based on our research, we know the National Theatre Collection is a valuable classroom resource, with 1.3 million pupils already utilising the Collection yearly. Our aim is that all children in the UK will have the opportunity to watch a National Theatre production before they leave school.
The Mohn Westlake Foundation supports nationwide Learning programmes for young people. Nationwide learning is supported by Buffini Chao Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation, Tim & Sarah Bunting, MFPA Trust Fund for the Training of Disabled Children in the Arts, Behrens Foundation, Cleopatra Trust, The Andor Charitable Trust and Marlow Trust. NT Collection is made possible in primary schools by the Hearn Foundation, as the Principal Funder of the Primary Schools Programme.
Lead philanthropic support from Richard and Kara Gnodde. NT Collection is also supported by The Attwood Education Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Mike Staunton, The Michael Marks Charitable Trust, The Oakley Charitable Trust, and The Eyre Family Foundation. Creative Careers enabled by TikTok. New York City Public Schools access is generously supported by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation.
