Macleans College hosts SGCNZ Victoria University of Wellington Regional Shakespeare Festival
Posted on April 17, 2025
The Macleans College auditorium was filled with Shakespeare’s words on Sunday 6 April for the SGCNZ Auckland South and East Regional Shakespeare Festival.
Seven colleges performed a total of 20 different scenes from Shakespeare’s plays. All but two of the performances were student-directed.
The Macleans College entries included a high school interpretation of Much Ado About Nothing, a Bollywood style wedding extravaganza and an Elvis Presley-loving Benedick. Scenes from King Lear, Hamlet and As You Like It were also directed by Macleans College students.
Adjudicators Lesley Shepherd and Blaise Clotworthy (Te Kanawa House 2008 - 2012) commended the students for their enthusiasm and creativity. They noted the fresh perspectives brought to Shakespeare’s timeless works.
Several awards were presented. The Auckland Theatre Company’s award for Most Authentic Connection was presented to Ariana Hayward (Batten House) and Dani Gonzalez Castro (Mansfield) for their 1950’s interpretation of Much Ado About Nothing. Amy Zhou (Upham) received the Howick Little Theatre award for Best Connection to the Audience. Naomi Kwan (Snell) and Deeksha Suresh (Mansfield) won the NZ Screen and Stage Combat School award for Best Stage Combat.
Special thanks were extended to Mrs Hunt and Ms Appleby for coordinating the festival, and to Miss Burnett, Mr Davidson and their backstage crew for ensuring the festival ran smoothly.
