YOUNG directors sprung into action after receiving a lesson from Bolton's renowned Octagon Theatre.

Christine Lydon, the theatre's creative learning director, led a series of workshops for year boys at Bolton School to direct a Shakespearean play.

The pupils have been working towards achieving their Bronze Arts Award and have focused on the Bard's plays from an acting and directing point of view.

In the workshops they group cast their critical eye over The Merchant of Venice and focusing on the protagonist Shylock — a character which, it is said, brings with it directorial challenges.

A spokesman for the school said: "The boys began by looking at insults taken from the play.

"They discussed what these told them about the character and how they might direct actors to get them to express their characters’ feelings towards Shylock through Shakespeare’s words.

"Christina then revealed that Shylock is Jewish, and how this changes the audience’s perceptions and the way the director needs to approach the portrayal of the character.

"The boys worked really hard to take Christina’s advice into account as they put together their own ideas and staged the insults, the scene culminating in Shylock’s famous, 'Hath not a Jew eyes?' speech.

"The boys were able to discuss their reasons for making certain decisions, and what effect these might have on their audience."

He added: "The sessions with Christina were really valuable for the boys and got them thinking more about what they can do as directors to influence the audience and change attitudes towards different characters."

Pupils in year seven are also working towards the Explore level of the Arts Award by completing a "page to stage" project using Roald Dahl as inspiration.

The spokesman said: "All of the boys are really enjoying working in partnership with the Octagon Theatre, taking part in fantastic workshops and finding out more about the work behind the scenes that goes into putting on a production."