Shakespeare Competition 2022

Published by Dauntsey's on Wednesday 9th of November 2022

Students from across the school participated in the second annual Dauntsey's Shakespeare evening, performing scenes from Shakespeare plays to entertain and educate a packed audience in Annabel's studio.

There were 18 performers this year and the emphasis was placed very much on enjoyment and participation, with the performers receiving a pre-show workshop from a professional theatre director. This year guest director Matt Beresford educated our students on Shakespeare's verse and also had the responsibility of awarding the Shakespeare shield for performance of the night.


After the workshop, the students presented their pieces to the audience. The standard of performances was incredibly high and awarding the shield proved very difficult. In the end Hector was awarded the shield for his portrayal of Richard of Gloucester from Henry VI part III. Our guest director was particularly impressed by Hector's ability to capture Richard's rage and how he intelligently switched from internal monologue to direct address to illuminate the character's darkest thoughts.

Special mentions also go to our Lower School performers. Teddie M won the audience's heart with a wonderfully comedic performance as Launcelot Gobbo from the Merchant of Venice. Anna T and Isabella B created a thoroughly believable relationship as Juliet and The Nurse from Romeo and Juliet and Izabela S, our youngest performer, bravely opened the show as the Chorus, also from Romeo and Juliet. Izabela said after the show, "I love Drama and it's so inspiring to see how talented the other performers are".

The Dauntsey's Shakespeare evening will return in 2023.