Mia, India and Rhiannon recently travelled to the MAC Centre in Birmingham to take part in the regional final of the BBC’s “Shakespeare Off By Heart” competition, having been chosen from auditions run by the English Department earlier this year.

On the day they competed against 200 other students. Each contestant recited a famous speech from one of Shakespeare’s plays.  The competition took place over two sessions, with the top 4 from each session going forward to a semi-final to be judged at a later date.

Mia writes:

The competition took the form of an audition and a workshop where we were taught new skills in order to improve our recitations.  During the workshop, competitors were called out to audition in front of the panel of actors and judges.  From these groups of twenty five, one person would be chosen for a further audition which would be recorded on film by the BBC drama department.

I was that person!  The second audition was thrilling with the huge professional camera and the boom microphone.

I am now waiting to hear my fate!  If I get chosen I will travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to compete again for the title of the BBC’s “Off By Heart Shakespeare” Champion 2011.

We would like to thank Mrs Wallis for driving us to Birmingham and for her unfailing support.  Also a huge thank you to all of our teachers who encouraged and helped us along the way, and finally to our fellow pupils for their continued support.