b'SHAKESPEARE SEASON REVIEWSthen looked at me. They then said the One morning in an English classresult. I had achieved 10/10 from all during Shakespeare Season, wethree judges! I could not believe it! I was were informed about a Shakespearegoing on to the final round. Phew!speech competition called StrictlyAfter a few weeks, it was time for the Talk Shakespeare. Upon hearingfinal round and I had to perform in front this, I felt the urge to participate, asof all the year groups. I was the third last I quite enjoy reading the grippingto perform, and all the performances plays of William Shakespeare. Ourbefore mine were incredible, with one even achieving three straight tens. This theme for Shakespeare Season wasmade me think, if he achieved three During Shakespeare Season, there have been A Midsummer Nights Dream, so thetens, how will I ever get that as well! many different experiences both in the hall and in speeches were taken from this play.Then it was my turn and I did not let the classroom. These included watching scenes We had three options, and I chosethat negativity affect my performance. from plays, competitions, actors acting and really the speech by Egeus in Act 1 SceneI let the nerves work for me, not enjoyable and fun English lessons, which have 1. I started revising this speech andagainst me. I was feeling more and practised it until I was ready, and thenmore comfortable; at one point, I even been very interactive. First of all, a huge part of the acted it out in class, when three of usthought I was Egeus! After delivering Shakespeare experience was about how you could were chosen to go on to the next round. the speech, trying my utmost best, it interact with it by performing scenes. These were acted out superbly for us by the Shakespeare I felt excited for the next stage, as Iwas time for the decision. Judge 1:Birthplace Trust and it felt fun to learn more and would have the chance to perform in the.10; judge 2: .10. I could not believe to see his plays in real life. One of the experiences hall with a golden microphone in frontit. Could I get three straight tens andwas when we directed the Shakespeare actors of over 150 people, composed of Yearbe the first winner of Strictly Talkon how to act in a scene from A Midsummer 8 and teachers. I continued practisingShakespeare? Then it was time forNights Dream, and this was something I thought until finally the day came. Whenjudge 3. Judge 3: .10. Yes! I had won!I could never do. Some real benefits from the my name was called, I felt a mix ofMy hard work had not gone to waste!interactive experiences in the hall were that emotions. When I performed the speechI was then presented with a trophy. I students learned about Shakespeare in more I was confident, as I had revised andand Michael White from Year 11 werefun ways than that of normal lessons sat in a practised as much as I could. When itthe winners, and the memories of thatclassroom. Also, students will need to learn was time for the result, the judges werecompetition will stay with me forever.about Shakespeare for GCSEs so this is a discussing with each other. I was notgood way to introduce them to it.sure what their decision would be, untilSami Khan, Year 8they looked at Mr Conway and Hanif Mohammed, Year 8Shakespeare Season, which has sadly now come to an end, included many activities that were both fun and educational. One of the various tasks we did was to watch scenes from a play called Romeo and Juliet which were interactive and fun. For example, not only did we benefit from the extensive amount of good language, but also some good morals in certain Shakespeare plays, which help you learn about life. We also learned about the history of William Shakespeare and the times in which he lived. All of these activities were extremely helpful as they go over skills that you need both for GCSES and for life. Ayaan Mahmood, Year 9When you think of Shakespeare, you think ofits glory in the way you expect: the titularLady Macbeth really steals the spotlight in classic stories that intrigue with each scene,soldier is brainwashed into trying to claimevery scene shes in. The raw emotion shown subliminal messages, brilliant acting and anthe throne of Scotland, and doing so by anyonly captivates the audience more into the overall thrilling experience. So, how doesmeans necessary. Macbeth was portrayedstorytelling before us as we are left struck the Quantum Theatre Company hold up?in the way he deserves to be: powerful,with awe by the greatness of this womans Im sure many are familiar with the story ofgrief-stricken, vengefulevery word youemotion.Macbeth by now, but this production reallythink belongs to him is on display. He reallyWith a run time of about one hour and 30 embedded the classic tale in my mind. Thedeserves that name as the main man himselfminutes, the cast behind the play really do Quantum Theatre Company succeed whentreats us to a ride of heartfelt raw emotion asmanage that time well in order to provide it comes to introducing the audience toif we were in that same scene. Macbeth isus with a captivating display which leaves the world of Macbeth through outstandingtruly the star of the show and is only provenus only with the desire for more tales by performances while only using three actors!by the fantastic performance provided. these same masterminds before us. Limited I believe that this feat alone means that thisAll the while, his partner in crime Ladytime and budget did not stand in the way trio deserve heaps and heaps of recognitionMacbeth is just as well portrayed in herof Quantum Theatre putting on the show for the work displayed. seductive, instigating manner. Macbeth is notof a lifetime, and I think we as a year group When it comes to sets and production, I willjust about the poster boy himself; I believeshould count ourselves lucky as one of the admit, you can see where the budget fallsits a two-way street with Lady Macbethlucky few who got to see this production live on the lower side. However, this does notbeing the other half of this tale foretold. Sobefore our eyes.mean that the show is any worse than oneno matter how much time she may spendFabian Strong, Year 11with a higher budget. The story is told in alloffstage, when the opportunity is provided, 34'