Shakespeare for kids – and gorillas

LYNN ? There was much ado about gorillas when guest speaker Elizabeth Wahn visited the literacy program at Girls Inc. recently. Author of “Lindsey and the Jedgar,” a fantasy adventure aimed at hooking kids onto Shakespeare, Wahn got two dozen middle-schoolers popping out of their seats volunteering to recite the Shakespearean verses she taught them.?Take it from me, you can’t simply tell kids that Shakespeare is wonderful. They’ll never believe you. They’ll just think you’re a weird adult,” said Wahn. “The trick is to get them to experience the wonder for themselves. My goal is to open their eyes.”Boston born Wahn is a writer, Shakespeare enthusiast and former English teacher who has lived most of her life in Europe. Currently on a speaking tour promoting Shakespeare in Massachusetts, she pitches her message to children ages nine to 39. Her mission takes her to schools, clubs, Girls/Boy Scouts meetings, NGOs, summer camps, churches, libraries, bookstores and even to retirement communities.?You’re never too young or too old to appreciate the magic of Shakespeare. He’s a gold mine that enriches the spirit,” she said before asking, “and who is more playful than Shakespeare?”When Wahn held up a copy of her book and asked the girls who would like to read it hands shot into the air. She promised to leave a copy for Girls Inc.’s lending library then fielded questions from the girls.?Where can I go to see a Shakespeare play?” asked one girl. “What’s a Jedgar?” asked another. Unfortunately there is no answer to the latter because Wahn declined to answer, instead inviting the girls to discover it for themselves by reading her book.?It’s delightful to see the students so excited over a book and so curious about learning more about Shakespeare,” said Linda Hall, Director of the Girls Inc. Literacy Program. “By the time that Elizabeth bid the children goodbye, everyone who attended the presentation was able to recite Shakespeare ? everyone, that is, except the ?gorilla’ who made a surprise appearance.”Anyone who would like a chance to experience Shakespeare up close and in the rough can check out “Much Ado About Nothing” sponsored by Arts After Hours and performed in Lynn Woods July 27 through Aug. 11, Saturday shows are at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., Sundays 4 p.m. Location is at the Pennybrook entrance. For more information on the performance check out http://www.artsafterhours.com/ or call the box office at 781-205-4010.