The seventh annual Canning Shakespeare Competition kicked off at the weekend, with a Halls Head College student taking out first prize.
Fourteen students from across the electorate gathered at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Saturday to perform in front of a packed out Fishtrap Theatre and industry professionals, judges Deb Mitchell and Julia Moody.
Each student performed one of Shakespeare’s monologues, with 17-year-old Halls Head College student, Holly Lunn, winning first place for her compelling performance as Lady Macbeth from The Scottish Play (Act V, Scene I).
Fellow Halls Head College student, Ruth Creelman, 17, claimed second place for her role as Launce from Two Gentlemen of Verona (Act II, Scene III).
Sixteen-year-old Foundation Christian College student, TJ Ruwodo, placed third for his performance as Hamlet from Hamlet (Act III, Scene I).
In what was a tight competition, the judges also gave honourable mentions to three other students who were outstanding in their performance, including Esther Son (Foundation Christian College), Sydnee Gould (St George’s Anglican School), and Pacey van Burgel (John Calvin Christian College).
Federal Member for Canning Andrew Hastie MP said this year’s performances were some of the best the competition has ever seen.
“The time and effort this year’s students put into their performances was evident onstage, making the 2022 Canning Shakespeare Competition one of the toughest to judge,” Mr Hastie said.
“Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Shakespeare Competition and thank you to all of this year’s performers and judges.
“The arts are important to our community and culture, and every year we make sure that young people in the Peel Region have an opportunity to perform some of the best known works in the English language.
“Shakespearean language is not easy. Nor is memorising and performing a monologue. I admire the hard work and dedication we saw on stage. Hopefully this helps our students pursue a career in the arts.”
The Canning Shakespeare Competition is an annual event run by Mr Hastie, providing senior high school students an opportunity to gain public speaking and theatrical performance experience, meet creative industry experts and receive feedback for their performance.
Top three winners with Andrew Hastie and Judges Deb Mitchell and Julia Moody. PIC: Supplied
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