They used to say the same sort of thing about Elvis Presley but we don’t hear so much about him now.

But what we can say is that, although you won’t find William Shakespeare among the pubs and chip shops in Blackpool, there’s now a new series of some of his most popular plays available whether you live in Blackpool, Margate, Skegness or all stations inbetween.

So how can this new series help your GCSE literature students?

The new series (unsurprisingly known as “The Student’s Shakespeare”) is ideal for use in schools and colleges and particularly for GCSE exams. Apart from the attractive cover and clear print, one of the helpful features of this series is that the notes and comments are always opposite the text which makes them easy for students to refer to and encourages them to develop their understanding of each play.

“The Student’s Shakespeare” is the normal paperback size (124 x 193 mm) with a useful introduction which includes a summary of each act, notes on the history and culture of the time, the characters, plus the themes and language used – all features designed to help readers make the most of the play they are studying.

The six titles currently available are: Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar, and Twelfth Night.

What we find remarkable about this series (quite apart from the helpful notes and introduction) is the cost – only £1.99 for each title from the company listed below. This compares very favourably with the recommended price of £5.99. The publishers are to be commended for making such a high quality product available at an attractive price.

“The Student’s Shakespeare” series can be obtained from Signpost Educational Ltd, PO Box 999, London E14 6SH

Email: signpost@talk21.com
Tel: 020 7515 1797
Fax: 020 7515 4420
More details can be found on the website: www.signposteducational.co.uk