Coco Takes Shakespeare's Granddaughter Role

Tuesday, 12 April 2016

Over the Easter holidays, Coco Jones in Year 4 took to the stage at The Lowry Theatre for four nights in the English Touring Theatre’s production of The Herbal Bed. This intense play by Peter Whelan tells ‘the secret life of Shakespeare’s daughter’, Susanna Hall, who is publicly accused of adultery with local haberdasher Rafe Smith. It is based on real events in Stratford-upon-Avon in the summer of 1613.

Coco played the part of Elizabeth Hall, Shakespeare’s granddaughter, who was five years old at the time. She said that when she went to audition her acting coach at Stagecoach was hoping she would be the right height for the role! Thankfully she was just right and landed the part. This was a wonderful opportunity for her, as although Coco loves all aspects of performance art, she particularly enjoys acting and has been attending classes since she was four years old.

She performed in The Herbal Bed alongside an interesting cast of professional actors, including Emma Lowndes (Downton Abbey, Jane Eyre) as her mother Susanna Hall, Philip Correia (Doctors, The History Boys) as Rafe Smith, and Jonathan Guy Lewis (Coronation Street, Soldier Soldier) as her father Dr John Hall.

Coco thoroughly learned her lines and the rest of the script off by heart. She performed well in front of the audience, and really enjoyed the whole experience.

Coco was complimented in one of the reviews of the play. She also received a special card, signed with personal messages from the rest of the cast, wishing her luck on her opening night.