Shakespeare festival 'lively and funny'

John Paul College took out a number of prizes in last year's national final of the SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. Photo/Supplied

Pleasure and action make the hours seem short, and time will certainly slip away for audiences as they witness the talents of students taking part in the annual secondary schools Shakespeare festival.

John Paul College drama teacher Candice Visser encourages locals to go along and get a taste of Shakespeare as the pieces are only five or 15 minutes long, rather than a long drawn-out production.

"Everyone is welcome. The pieces are lively and funny and it will be a very entertaining afternoon," she said.

The Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand (SGCNZ) is on the hunt for students to attend its national competition later in the year, and this weekend's event is part of the selection process.

Shakespeare's work is as relevant today as ever, and although the language is different, the themes are timeless, according to Dawn Sanders, SGCNZ chief executive.

"Shakespeare's themes and relationship issues are eternal - whether in families, royal families, governments, religion.

"The young identify with the tussles for power, be it Facebook v Instagram or the politics in the likes of Richard III, Macbeth, Julius Caesar - or unwanted parental intervention. The Taming of the Shrew has topical overtones with regard the treatment of and behaviour towards women," she said.

There were always words many people did not understand when reading a book, watching a film, a play, a television programme, however students used the context to fill in any gaps and they understood Shakespeare's themes, she said.

Last year more than 5000 students throughout the country took part in the festival, including students from Maori Immersion and home schools.

Winners of the Rotorua regional festival will take part in national finals, including week-long intensive workshops, rehearsals and performances.

What: Rotorua Regional SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival
Where: Rotorua Lakes High
When: Saturday 12pm
Tickets: Door Sales, adults $8, students $5