Fourth Former Adam has been recognised for his outstanding achievement in a prestigious regional Shakespeare speaking competition, where he secured an impressive second place overall. Adam advanced through two highly competitive preliminary rounds to reach the finals, where he captivated the judges with his performance of the iconic “Is this a dagger which I see before me” soliloquy from Macbeth.
Delivering the piece with exceptional clarity, expression and stage presence, Adam earned high praise from the judging panel for his command of the language and emotional depth. His success is all the more remarkable given that this was Bedford School’s first time entering the competition.
Reflecting on his journey, Adam shared, “I really enjoyed performing in the Prep School’s Shakespeare Slam competitions. Now that I’m in the Upper School, it was great to be able to represent Bedford School in a similar event, but this time competing against students from other schools.” He credits his long-standing involvement in Speech and Drama lessons, beginning in Year 3, and his experience in the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama as key to his preparation.
Adam chose the well-known dagger scene from Macbeth after studying performances by renowned actors and drawing inspiration from a live production at The Globe Theatre in London during the Easter holidays. “It was amazing to see the play on stage just weeks before the finals – it really helped me bring the piece to life,” he said.
Perhaps most inspiring is Adam’s reflection on what he learned through the experience, “This was the first time that Bedford School had entered this competition and so there was no experience to draw on from previous years. I’m very proud of myself for overcoming my nerves, focusing on delivering my best performance, and getting to the regional finals on this first attempt. I hope that my experience this year helps future Bedford School competitors achieve even greater success.”
Adam’s achievement is a testament to his dedication, talent and the support of his English and Drama teachers. Well done, Adam!
