Does anyone know if the RSC play Love's Labour Lost is suitable for kids age 10-13?

Question

Going on a trip to London (from America) later this fall and thought this comedy would be ok for the family to enjoy one of Shakespeare's finest works.

Answer 1

It's going to be suitable in the sense that you will probably not have cause to cover your children's eyes or ears.  

Love's labour's lost is not one of Shakespeare's finest works: it's an early comedy, written while Will was still learning the ropes.  I'm not sure how your kids will react to it: not much happens, and the language is ... well, Shakespeare ... which requires some attention and patience.  Still, I'm sure the RSC will do something inventive with it and given the opportunity I'd see it in a heartbeat and drag my son along whether he wanted to go or not.

(Actually, I've taken my son to performances of various Shakespeare plays since he was 8 -- he's now 13.  He has enjoyed every performance.  I've also tried to read Shakespeare with him; he hates it.)

Do see the Branagh film.  Some hate it, but I think it's fun.  Branagh sprinkles his version with show tunes, which to my taste compensates nicely for the play's weaknesses.  At any rate, it will give you an idea of how the story unfolds so that you can enjoy the play rather than try to puzzle out what's going on.

Answer 2

I would suggest that before you take anyone to this play that you rent the Kenneth Brannah (sp) version of  this play!  It is set in a more modern time, and actually has some music and dancing in it.  The story is told by using the language of Shakespeare, but with a different focus.  It would make it more relevant if the kids could compare the two.  And by the way, it is never a mistake to take kids to a Shakespeare play!  This play is not one of the greatest of the plays, but there is so much humor and double entendre in it, that it is worth seeing.  Thank you for being a patron of the arts!