A Celebration of Shakespearean Talent
The Beacon Bard of the Year Competition made its much-anticipated return to the Old Barn, where our talented finalists brought Shakespeare to life through a series of captivating monologues, judged by the distinguished actor John Hollingworth. After welcoming guests with drinks in the foyer, the audience took to their seats to enjoy performances from our eight outstanding Beacon Bard finalists.
It proved an enriching evening, with each young actor delivering an impressive performance despite the demands of their chosen monologues. A short interval followed, giving our adjudicator time to make the difficult decision before inviting the finalists back into the Old Barn to receive individual feedback.
With years of experience in the acting profession, including appearances in acclaimed productions such as 1917, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Poldark, The Crown and The Queen’s Gambit, John Hollingworth offered invaluable insight into each competitor’s performance. His feedback not only celebrated their performances but also provided thoughtful guidance on how they might continue to develop their skills and pursue their passion for acting.
To round off a fantastic evening, our overall winners were announced. Congratulations to Kit R, whose energetic and captivating portrayal of Puck from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ earned him the title. Runners-up Tom T (Romeo) and Henry C (Lancelot Gobbo) were also recognised for their thoughtful and engaging interpretations of these iconic roles.
Zenelle Oosthuizen, our Head of Drama and organiser of the event, commented, “It was an inspiring evening that showcased not only talent, but bravery, commitment, and a genuine love of performance. We look forward to seeing how these young actors continue to develop their craft.”
