A Living History Performance from Celtic Thunder...

A sure fire way for people to remember what you want them to retain is to create solid, unwavering memories. Present your students with a visual, interactive and exciting presentation of life in the medieval and celtic lifestyle in the 10'th and 11'th century Britain. Our presentations last for two periods or two hours whichever fits the school curriculum. Our aim is to generate interest and understanding about a period of world history and culture that many young Australians have as their heritage.

Our presentations vary according to the request of the school and the age of the students, however our basic skeletal presentation is to time travel back to the past and introduce our historical personas suitably attired in accurate period clothing. We then give a description of life in our time (early middle ages period 1066ff) displaying and demonstrating various authentic artifacts’, stories and graphic descriptions of events and methods, in the true form of a bard.

Audience involvement is an important part of our presentation as is humour, where we call up students to assist in our demonstrations. Historical accuracy, and the avoidance of inappropriate descriptions or details - such as methods of warfare, torture or sexual misconduct, - keeps our performance suitably geared to all audiences by being entertaining, educational, fun and exciting.

Mock sword fights enhance our presentation as does the costuming, armour, weapons, crafts and music. Folkloric songs along with Scottish bagpipes, professionally played, allow the students to experience the sights and sounds of a foundational culture.
Safety is also a prime concern for us; therefore all sharp weapons are for display only and not to be handled by students.

What other curriculum areas does it relate to?

• Religion (the role of the church in medieval life and the reason for the crusades)
• Geography (feudalism, housing and farming)
• History (hierarchy, war and politics)
• Music (Scottish, Celtic and medieval music and folklore)
• Art (tapestry, crests, emblazons and coat of arms)
• Sport (medieval sports and games)

We can also teach and display the Viking Era as well as Renaissance (Musketeers).

Proposed Audiences

• Lower Secondary (7-9)
• Lower Primary (3-4)
• Upper Secondary (10-12)
• Upper Primary (5-6)