Springfield School is taking part for the first time in the international competition, Speak Up, run by Drama Matters. The competition involves students scripting and performing their own original monologues or duologues. The topic should be something they feel passionate about and feel that we should be talking about. The response to the brief was outstanding. From all the entries, eight pieces were selected to go through to the school final which took place on 3 June to an invited audience. Our illustrious judging panel comprised of two familiar faces, Mr Brimacombe (Deputy Headteacher) and Miss London (Teacher of English), and two outside judges, Mrs Dobbyn (Head of Music at The Cowplain School) and Mr Hughes (A university graduate in performing arts and a working actor). The judges comments after each performance really highlighted the performers' skills and how they had communicated their ideas to the audience.
Speak Up Competition
The performances were truly outstanding with one audience member stating that they were "blown away". The scripts were written with style and a maturity far beyond their years and tackled a wide range of subjects such as the holocaust, PTSD, suffragettes, self image and mental health. All the students were well prepared and had organised sound, lighting, costume, set and props. Their dramatic performances were all so moving and had a real impact on the audience. All of the students who performed would have made worthy winners and I am so proud of the talent that our students displayed.
After much deliberation, the judges announced the winners:
Key Stage 3 (incl Year 9) - Jasmine Beaven-Baxter - 'The White Bunny'
Key Stage 4 - Favour Joseph - 'PTSD'
Their videos will be uploaded to the Drama Matters website and then we will find out if they have made it through to the next round of the competition. Watch this space!
Mrs Needham, Head of Drama