'Married at First Sight' might not seem to have an obvious connection with Shakespeare, but a hilarious performance of a MAFS-themed compilation from A Mid-Summer Night's Dream by a group of senior Avondale College Drama students has not only won the 'Best 15 Minute Scene' at the West Auckland region's SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival last weekend - but the students (Hunter Easterbrook, Grace Elijas, Kate Perfect, Leo Taylor and Sajal Taneja) are now heading to Wellington to perform at the national festival in Wellington during Queen's Birthday weekend!
This was just one of four awards won by Avondale College performers at the West Auckland festival! Our Performing Arts Academy Drama students performed a comic 15 minute scene from A Mid-Summer Night's Dream and won the award for 'Best Concept'.
Year 13 Drama student Abigail Meads won 'Best Student Director' for her dramatically choreographed monologue from Richard III, performed with Molly Tate. However, that wasn't all - Abigail also won the supreme individual award: direct entry to the National Shakespeare Schools Production to be held in Wellington in October. Only 24 students nationwide are given direct entry from the regional heats; another 24 will be selected from the national festival - and from these, 24 will be chosen (Covid-permitting!) to travel to the Globe Theatre in London next year. It's an amazing opportunity, and well deserved!
Our Avondale College community will have the chance to see these three scenes performed live at the upcoming "Kaleidoscope" performing arts showcase on Thursday May 13, 6:00pm, Avondale College Theatre - put it in your calendar!
