Meeting the challenge

‘Shakespearean Challenge 2009’ comes to a grand finale:

Nilmini Perera Shakespeare Centre, Sri Lanka

The inter school competitions of Shakespearean Challenge 2009 concluded in spectacular form on April 23 at the John de Silva Theatre. This project was initiated last year by the Shakespeare Centre Sri Lanka and featured five different competitions, completely based on the 37 dramas authored by renowned English playwright William Shakespeare.

These include the Shakespeare Drama competition, Oration competition, translation competition, essay competition and a very unique Shakespeare quiz competition.

Inevitably, the most highly contested competition at ‘Shakespearean Challenge 2009’ was the drama competition.

When the initial round of the drama competition concluded on the March 19 at the Institute of Sinhala Culture, it was quite evident that some performances were in many aspects ahead of the others.

However, it was extremely rewarding and fulfilling to note how all schools had developed throughout the competition by the time the grand finale of Shakespearean Challenge came to light at the John de Silva Theatre.

Another aspect that was recognized at this event is the individual talent of participating young actors and actresses. In general, the overall talent, skill and particularly the enthusiasm that was on display at this event is enough to brighten the future of theatre in Sri Lanka.

Therefore, selecting the best acting performance from among these young starlings has proven to be the most challenging task for the judges.

The seven performances that contested in the final drama competition are ‘Macbeth’ by Devi Balika, ‘Twelfth Night’ by Lyceum International, ‘Taming of the Shrew’ by Newstead Balika Vidyalaya, Negombo, ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ by Kingswood College, Kandy, ‘Othello’ by Belvoir International, ‘Hamlet’ by Mahinda College, Galle, and ‘The Tempest’ by Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya.

From among these performances, the best production has been selected by the judges as well as the best direction and the best acting performances.

The winner of the Shakespearean Oration competition was selected after a keen contest between four speakers representing Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya and Lyceum International.

The contesting students expressed themselves on the topics of Shakespearean tragedies, Shakespearean comedies and the play ‘Macbeth’.

It was also interesting to observe the ideas that were presented by one participant on the subject of the role of women in Shakespeare’s time. Some of these expressions were more eloquent than the others and the clarity in the facts and vision are other criteria that will differentiate the winning oration.

Nevertheless the efforts of all participating students were equally impressive. The subjects of the orations were required to be related to Shakespearean theatre, but the topics were selected by the participating students.

Similarly, the Shakespeare essay competition also required participating students to select a topic of their liking which will allow them to express an opinion on a subject of Shakespearean theatre.

This again was highly contested particularly in the English essay competition. The Shakespeare translation competition has proven to be a remarkable achievement from the perspective of the organizers of this event.

It was very encouraging to observe the high participation for translations and these participating students can be identified as the unsung voices in the overall competition. It is prudent to observe at this point that these are still young days for Shakespeare translations.

Therefore, the winner of this competition is not necessary one that has overcome the challenge of translating Shakespeare, but it is certainly one that has effectively met the challenge. Even though these translations did not experience the light of stage during the competition, they are precious stones that may be carved into gems that will marvel audiences in future.

Perhaps the most challenging competition at ‘Shakespearean Challenge 2009’ was the Shakespeare Quiz. Sirimavo Bandaranaika Vidyalaya, Devi Balika Vidyalaya and Lyceum International School needs to be recognized and highly commended for their keenness as well as the effort that has been invested in preparing for a competition of this nature. Although at some stages of the competition the three schools were tightly placed, Lyceum International triumphed quite convincingly at the end.

The winners of all individual competitions as well as the champions of the Shakespeare Challenge trophy will be officially announced at the Shakespeare commemoration and award ceremony that will be held on May 31 at the John de Silva Theatre. The Shakespeare commemoration lecture will be delivered by Dr. Gamini Haththotuwegama.

Special recognition must hereby be granted to the principle sponsors of this event, Sri Lanka Telecom and Richard Trading Company.

‘Shakespearean Challenge 2009’ is thereby a national endeavour aimed at providing education and opportunity which has been gloriously elevated to an extraordinary height by two great companies.