Tragedy and hysterics at Shakespeare Festival

John Paul College students perform Measure for Measure. Photo/Stephen Parker

An electric battle scene which was perfectly choreographed, and an hysterical scene which had the audience in roars of laughter were the natural winners of this year's regional drama competition.

The 2017 University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Rotorua Regional Festival was held at Rotorua Lakes High School on Saturday with organisers thrilled at the standard and variety of performances on display.

Students representing the five main Rotorua high schools took part in the festival, with the adjudicator selecting two winning performances to go on to the national festival at Queen's Birthday weekend.

Both winning performances were from John Paul College students, with a performance of Henry V taking out the 15-minute category while a scene from Twelfth Night directed by student Eamon Walsh won the five-minute category.

Rotorua Lakes High School student Liam Dixon took out the award for most promising actor.

Local organiser Candice Visser said she was particularly impressed at the wide variety of scenes chosen, including some "really unusual" ones.

"There were tragedies, comedies and all the bits in between.

"Everyone [in the audience] sounded like they were blown away by the variety."

Ms Visser said the way the students understood the text was evident from their on-stage performances.

She said the Henry V performance really built on the energy of the cast and she made particular mention of Gus Dube's performance which she said just demanded the stage space.

"He is such a strong actor."

Meanwhile the Twelfth Night performance which had three boys, dressed as girls doing yoga was completely hysterical, Ms Visser said.

"It was so comical."

Students who are part of the two winning groups, as well as Liam, will now work on their performances ahead of the national competition, when some students will be selected to go to the Globe Theatre in London.

Winners:
Best ensemble - Henry V director Gabrielle Thurston, John Paul College
Best understanding of the text - Merchant of Venice director Ruby Carter, John Paul College
Most promising actor - Liam Dixon, Rotorua Lakes High School in The Tempest
Outstanding performance in a supporting role - Joshua McGrath, John Paul College in Henry V
Outstanding performance in a comedy role - Eamon Walsh, John Paul College in Twelfth Night
Best female actor - Elsie Spiers, John Paul College, in Henry V
Best male actor- Gus Dube, John Paul College, in Henry V
Best under-16 female actor - Warna Karunayake, Western Heights High School in Twelfth Night
Runner-up 5-minute student director - Ashleigh Hart, John Paul College, for Romeo and Juliet
Best 5-minute student director - Eamon Walsh, John Paul College for Twelfth Night
Runner-up 15-minute scene - Measure for Measure Gus Dube and Elsie Spiers, John Paul College
Best 15-minute scene - Henry V Gabrielle Thurston, John Paul College
Direct entry student to SGCNZ for a student not going in winning teams - Liam Dixon, Rotorua Lakes High School