ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition

George and Archie, both Year 9, have progressed through to the National final of the ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition.

George and Archie jointly won the first round of the ESU Performing Shakespeare competition at King’s, along with Ruby-Jane and Eliza, both Yr 7. This competition requires students to choose a monologue or duologue from any Shakespeare play, learn it by heart and perform it to a panel of judges. They are also judged on a two minute oracy component : introducing their scene, describing their character, explaining why they have chosen the scene and demonstrating contextual knowledge, such as James 1’s obsession with witchcraft, so some background research was required. Mrs Shaw-Young was hugely impressed by the professionalism and dedication of our students; they arranged their own rehearsal schedule and readily responding to direction.

All four King’s students successfully got through round 2 at RGS Worcester, and they then travelled to Swansea on the 3^rd May for the Regional finals with three English Speaking Union judges in attendance. Before the competition, competitors participated in a Shakespeare Drama workshop too. They were warmly welcomed at Birchgrove School and competition was very high, yet the judges described George and Archie as ‘clear winners’; their stage fighting skills were breath-taking as they dramatically acted out the battle scene in Act 5 of Macbeth between Macbeth (played by George)  and MacDuff (played by Archie).  George and Archie were awarded with a beautiful edition of The Complete Works of Shakespeare. Mrs Shaw-Young was very proud indeed!

We wish them the best of luck for the Grand Final at The Globe Theatre in London on Friday 23^rd June.