Covent Garden’s Donmar Warehouse has launched One Take Shakespeare, a new competition calling for young women aged between 13 and 18 to perform a male speech from any of the Bard’s works.
Running in conjunction with Phyllida Lloyd’s hugely successful all-female production of Henry IV, participants have until 10:00 5 December to submit their videos to be in with the chance of winning two tickets to the Donmar Warehouse’s next production, the sold out musical City Of Angels starring Samantha Barks, and a night’s stay at a top London hotel.
Encouraging everyone – even those who may never have spoken Shakespeare out loud before – to take on one of Shakespeare’s many monologues originally written for men, teenagers are free to choose from any one of the playwright’s male roles, whether they fancy trying their hand at a tyrannical Macbeth or insane King Lear, an inebriated Falstaff or a scorned Malvolio.
The stripped back videos can be filmed in any location on any type of camera, with just three rules; it must be 90 seconds, and include no props or special effects.
For inspiration, cast members from the acclaimed Henry IV have recorded their own videos including Olivier Award winner Harriet Walter.
To watch or find out more information on how to take part, visit the Donmar Warehouse’s One Take Shakespeare blog.