Gazette News

Stage is set for a Bard showdown

5:20pm Friday 27th January 2012

ALL the world is a stage for student Emily Kamp who will appear on TV after beating 2,000 entrants to reach the final of a national Shakes-peare recital competition.

Emily, 15, who attends Malmesbury School, is one of nine teenagers to be filmed on Sunday in front of judges, including actor Samuel West, for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s documentary, Off By Heart.

The competition, presented by Jeremy Paxman, will be shown on BBC Two on April 23 – William Shakespeare’s birthday.

Emily, of White Lion Park, said: “It hasn’t sunk in yet; it doesn’t feel like it is real.

“I’m so nervous about it being on TV because I’m a little bit awkward in front of the cameras.”

Emily has been taking part in workshops and had been practising and researching her speech.

She reached the finals with her monologue as Shylock from the Merchant of Venice, and for the final she has been preparing a romantic piece from Romeo and Juliet.

Emily said: “I feel I need to know the piece inside and out and back to front, before I could start performing it. Acting is something I would like to pursue. My parents are very supportive.”

The school ran a local version of the competition across each house last year before holding its own finals.

The three winners were then entered into the national competition, starting at the regional heats in Bristol.

Emily has impressed staff and fellow students.

Her drama teacher Beth Calland said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for Emily.

“I think she has got a natural, bubbly and enthusiastic character, which must have come across.

“One of the things about her is that she has put in so much research and rehearsal time. She has thrown herself into it.”

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